RNZ: Nights

To help answer this we're joined again by friend of the show, Professor Richard Easther, from the University of Auckland.

Ten years ago, New Zealand started the process of picking - and ultimately not picking - a new flag. Designer Kyle Lockwood was at the centre of it all.

Former chief science advisor and now Director of the Koi Tū Centre for Informed Futures, Sir Peter Gluckman, says we can't begin to solve New Zealand's problems without what he calls consensual policymaking.

In her latest book, Sheila Fitzpatrick, one of the world's leading scholars on the history of the Soviet Union, examines both the immediate aftermath of Stalin's death and his surprising influence in contemporary Russia.

Tonight, he'll discuss the deadly flooding in Asia, the latest negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, and the upcoming draw for next year's World Cup.

RNZ sports journalist Jamie Wall talks with Emile Donovan about the biggest stories in the sporting world. Tonight, sports gambling.

Tonight she's talking about how the newspapers reported the 1893 election, the first time women voted in Aotearoa.

Al Brown is an restaurateur and businessman, the owner of Auckland stand-outs Depot Oyster Bar and Federal Delicatessen. He joins Emile Donovan to share how to be a good patron this festive season.

We look at the background and rules of this viral Christmas game.

Tonight we're heading to Rolleston near Christchurch for  HIIT for Hope.

Gavin Rutherford has performed in over fifty Circa shows as an actor, director, and Circa council member and joins Emile Donovan.

Steve Ryan is the Course Director, MA in Songwriting, University of Limerick joins Emile Donovan.

Tonight Hera Lindsay Bird joins us for the Reread.

 RNZ sports journalist Jamie Wall joins Emile Donovan for his thoughts. 

It has been announced that a national memorial to the disaster will finally be built, following the decision to locate it in Christchurch.

Marika Sosnowski joins Emile Donovan to discuss her new book, 'Fifty-eight Facets'.

Christian Smith joins Emile Donovan to discuss news making headlines in the UK.

Senior writer at The Spinoff, Alex Casey has been taking a deep dive into the history of the chocolate fish and why they are our preferred reward for a job well done. 

Sarina Gibbon is the founder of Tenancy Advisory, and she joins Emile Donovan.

International consultant Rohan Pike is a former Australian Federal Police officer and Customs and Border Force expert. He joins Emile Donovan.

Molly Kelsey is The Cat Counsellor and she joins Emile Donovan to explain 

How a conversation on RNZ about the town has been immortalised in the book Route 52.

A Manchester bar owner has caused a furore over his policy to ban solo drinkers to his bar after 9pm.

Jono Naylor has been around all sides of the issue and joins Emile Donovan.

Bradley Shaw has just been made President of the Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand

We cross to Pete Ross at the BBC World Service to take a look at some of the events making international headlines.

Tonight she's talking about Madame Zenobia an Auckland fortune teller who found herself in trouble with the law.

We look at the big stories in the world of sport.

Damien Grant is an Auckland business owner says the current system for collecting tax arrears is broken.

Nights' resident screen critic joins Emile Donovan to review a raft of theatre on screen works: the recording of hit stage production Hamilton (2020), rental Good Night and Good Luck (2025), Dr Strangelove (2025) streaming on NT At Home, and two Steven Sondheim productions you can watch for free on YouTube: Sunday in the Park with George (1984) and Company (2011).

Nights producer Bonnie Harrison joins Emile Donovan to review the week in quiztastic glory.

This week, the New Zealand Cricket Board met and elected three new life members, one of whom was the Naenae Express himself, Ewen Chatfield. He joins Emile Donovan.

To help make sense of it all Emile Donovan speaks to distinguished professor emeritus and research director at Massey University, Paul Spoonley.

Dan Weijers, a senior lecturer in philosophy at the University of Waikato, joins Emile Donovan to discuss.

Newsroom.co.nz National Affairs editor Sam Sachdeva has been reporting on the potential sale and speaks to Emile Donovan.

Stefan Fatsis is a journalist, scrabble player and author of Unabridged: The Thrill of (and Threat To) the Modern Dictionary. He talks to Emile about his love of words - and lexicons.  

Our regular science correspondent Ezzy Pearson talks life on Mars, how rubbish could domesticate raccoons and using gene therapy to combat cholesterol. 

As American metal heavyweights Metallica rock out Eden Park tonight, Kiwi fan Ben Sheeran shares his story of meeting the band backstage in the 90s.  

Dr Rachael Dixon, senior lecturer in health sciences at the University of Canterbury and a health education expert, joins Emile Donovan to discuss.

Live from our Christchurch studios, Irish-born folk duo Lorcan Bolster and Helen Fahy chat to Emile Donovan and play a few tunes for us.

Time now for another one of those seemingly random thoughts that strike amidst the steam and soap suds of the shower: what determines a house valuation? 

Our national book awards committee has rejected books with AI covers. It's nothing to do with the writing - just AI for the covers.