Nights for Thursday 1 May 2025

8:10 Severe weather: RNZ reporter Rachel Graham in Christchurch

Rachel Graham gives Emile Donovan the latest news on the severe weather in Christchurch after the city declared a state of emergency earlier this evening.

8:15 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.

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8:30 What we wish we had learned about money in school

The government has announced financial literacy education will be rolled out to students in years 1-10 starting in 2026.

Financial journalist and host of the podcast Making Cents Frances Cook joins Emile Donovan to go over what kids need to be learning about money - and what she wishes she had been taught when she was in school.

8:45 The Reading

Peter Vere-Jones reads 'That Were Freedom', a short story by Christopher E Horan.

9:06 Severe weather: RNZ reporter Nick James in Wellington

Nick James joins Emile Donovan from the capital where MetService have warned of a threat to life from flying items and falling trees.

9:10 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.

9:30 Myth Takes: Ancient music

Classics educator and enthusiast Ben Jackson joins Emile Donovan to share what we know of the music that filled the homes and streets of the ancient world.

9:40 Hollywood-backed football team headed to Wellington

The Wellington Phoenix is set to play the Hollywood-endorsed English Championship side Wrexham this July.

Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney boast ownership, having bought the club four years ago.

The match against the Wellington Phoenix is set to be announced next week and will presumably be played at Sky Stadium.

Yellow Fever fanclub member Dale Warburton joins Emile Donovan.

10:17 Severe weather: Selwyn District Mayor Sam Broughton

Mayor Sam Broughton joins Emile Donovan for an update after a day of serious flooding and home evacuations in the Selwyn District.

10:25 Severe weather: MetService meteorologist Kgolofelo Dube

Emile Donovan crosses to the MetService for an updated forecast for Friday and the weekend.

10:30 US and Ukraine cut a deal on rare earth minerals

Newsroom.co.nz national affairs editor Sam Sachdeva joins Emile Donovan to explain why rare earth minerals have become such a valuable and strategic asset in foreign affairs.

10:50 Why strikes happen on May Day

NZCTU president Richard Wagstaff joins Emile Donovan to share the history of May Day, a historic workers' rights commemoration, after 5,000 salaried medical professionals striked for 24-hours today.

11:07 The Mixtape

Maggie Tweedie talks with Paddy Hill - Studio Manager, Producer, Recording & Mix Engineer for Round Head Studios, about records with production that he holds a deep adoration for.