Nights

8:10 Rainbow's End iconic pirate ship returns

New Zealand's only theme park has just reopened one of its most iconic attractions.

The great and noble pirate ship ride is back in action after an eight-year hiatus, and a seven-million-dollar replacement.

Susan Mudie is the Rainbow's End CEO and she joins Emile Donovan.

8:20 The man behind the 'world's best' bar

Lorenzo Antinori is co-founder of Bar Leone in Hong Kong, which this month took out the number one spot in the annual list of The World's 50 Best Bars.

First published in 2009, it provides an annual ranking of bars as voted for by more than 800 drinks experts from across the globe. 

Lorenzo Antinori joins Emile Donovan.

 

8:30 New book to focus on Southland's tragic and odd events

A new story collection is being put together for publication, containing Southland's tragic and odd events.

Called Dead and Buried, it is set to include the story of Minnie Dean, shipwrecks, dead circus elephants, and beyond.

The author is historian, columnist, and former Invercargill city councillor Lloyd Esler.

8:40 Short-Cuts with Dan Slevin

Nights' resident screen critic joins Emile Donovan with some viewing recommendations for your long weekend.

Tonight, Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere (Cooper, 2025). in cinemas, The Perfect Neighbor (Gambhir, 2025). Netflix - and Sholay (Sippy, 1975) Tubi.

9:05 Nights Quiz

Do you know your stuff? Come on the air and be grilled by Emile Donovan as he dons his quizmaster hat.

If you get an answer right, you move on to the next question. If you get it wrong, your time in the chair is up, and the next caller will be put through. The person with the most correct answers at the end of the run goes in the draw for a weekly prize.

9:25 Out Lately with Finn Johansson

He's back, and no doubt ready to inform, educate and entertain us with an array of eclectic music.

Featuring:

•  A Bug's Life by Sudan Archives
• Copycats by Danny Brown Ft Underscores
• Shadows by Ruby Rushton  

 

 

9:45 Pacific Waves

A daily current affairs programme that delves deeper into the major stories of the week, through a Pacific lens, and shines a light on issues affecting Pacific people wherever they are in the world. Hosted by Susana Suisuiki.

Follow this podcast

10:17 The Detail

This evening on The Detail - A combination of job insecurity, tight economic times and a pressure to always be on the clock is resulting in a burnt-out workforce.

Follow this podcast

10:45 Focus on Politics

The largest strike in decades swept the country this week - or at least tried to, as wild winds blew away rallies. 

Behind the picket lines, the government and unions traded accusations of bad faith and misrepresentation. 

In this week's Focus on Politics, RNZ's acting political editor Craig McCulloch unpacks the high-stakes fight for public sympathy

11:07 RNZ Music: Postcards from Berlin with Maggie Tweedie 

Kava McIntyre is a DJ and taste maker from Aotearoa who has his finger on the pulse of night club culture. 

Now based in Germany with his wife and daughter he is immersed in Europe's musical epicentre, Berlin. 

He joins Maggie Tweedie for a journey of music through the streets of Berlin