Nights for Tuesday 6 May 2025

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 Paying more for your pet

For the first time in seven years, the SPCA has put up its adoption fees, effective as of yesterday.

Our largest animal charity takes care of over thirty thousand critters each year but operating costs are pretty hefty -- around $65 million -- and government funding only covers a small portion of that.

Doctor Corey Regnerus-Kell, General Manager of Animal Services at SPCA explains to Emile why their paws are tied.

8:45 The Reading

Trees can be a metaphor for life as you will hear in our reading today from "Someone's Wife" by Linda Burgess. In this episode Linda reflects on the trees she has lived under and around or in some cases, simply admired from afar.

Joins us for episode two, read by Linda Burgess.

9:07 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 Alice in Videoland

For the past forty years, Alice in Videoland, now known as Alice Cinemas and Film Specialists, has been a shining light for Christchurch movie lovers.

Launched back in 1985 on Hereford Street by the late Paul Stewart, this beloved institution has weathered the rise of digital media, the fall of physical media and not one but two major earthquakes. 

To celebrate four decades of cinematic survival, current owners Peter Tonks and Keryn Maguire are throwing a month-long movie party, with special screenings of cult classics like The Goonies, Blood Simple, and The Breakfast Club.

Peter talks to Emile about how they've stayed alive.

9:35 Shower Thoughts: How does DOC know how long a walk should take?

This is where we find an expert to answer curious questions about the world and how it works.

And tonight: How does DOC figure out the estimated time taken for each track?

Is there a mathematical formula? Is someone walking every track and reporting back how long it takes?

Pulling back the curtain on DOC signage -- Emile chats with their Standards and Visitor Safety Manager Andy Roberts.

10:17 Social media ban for under 16s

A member's bill has been presented by National backbencher, Catherine Wedd which would stop anyone under 16 from creating a social media account.

Currently a person has to be 13 years old to create a profile on any of the main social platforms but in addition to raising the age, this bill would make age verification a legal requirement in New Zealand.

It comes amidst ongoing concerns about the amount of time that young people spend online, potential exposure to unsuitable content and the impact of online bullying on their mental health and wellbeing.  
 
Australia has already gone down this path - its law, which is due to come into effect at the end of the year, bans social media for under 16s.

Terry Flew is a Professor of Digital Communications and Culture at Sydney University. He talks to Emile about what New Zealand could learn from the Australian experience. 

10:30 The ideas that built us

A new book from one of New Zealand's most celebrated social historians looks at the ideas that built our nation.

"The Origins of an Experimental Society: New Zealand from 1769 to 1840" traces the early interactions between Maori and the small population of European colonists, from Cook's voyages to the signing of the Treaty and beyond -- including why Europeans came to this land in the first place.

The author, Erik Olssen, tells Emile that neither Maori nor Europeans remained unchanged -- and this period of time created what he argues is a distinct identity, tangata Pakeha -- the Europeans who settled New Zealand, and now, their descendants.

10:45 Clocking up the k's - on a Penny Farthing!

Don Speden is an experienced Penny Farthing rider, it's something he's been doing for three decades but his latest ride pushed his skills and endurance to the limits. 

As part of a world-wide celebration marking the achievement of Thomas Stevens, the first person to cycle around the world on a Penny Farthing - Don cycled 110 kilometres from his home in Canvastown to the Omaka Heritage Aviation Centre near Blenheim and back.

Don joins Emile to tell him how he did it! 

11:07 Worlds of Music

Trevor Reekie hosts a weekly music programme celebrating an eclectic mix of 'world' music, fusion and folk roots.