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Nights for Tuesday 10 June 2025

8:10 Alliance Party revives for local body elections

They may have deregistered from the Electoral Commission in 2015, and their Wikipedia page may be written in the past tense, but Alliance Party president Victor Billot insists the party never fully went away.

Alliance has announced it will be running a candidate for the central ward in Christchurch's 2025 local body elections, librarian and musician Tom Roud, with the revamped party describing itself as aligned with left-wing, social democratic values.

Party president Victor Billot joins Emile Donovan.

Unofficial Bard of the South Victor Billot

Photo: Victor Billot

8:20 Should pets be considered more than property?

In New Zealand, family pets are considered property.

But as of today, pets in Australia will be given special consideration as marital property when a relationship breaks up.

Instead of being treated the same as furniture or a car, courts will be able to look into who takes more care of the companion animal - walking it, feeding it, taking it to the vet - when determining who gets custody. 

In family violence situations, the court will also consider whether one party has shown violence to the other when deciding who gets a family pet, in an effort to reduce rates of animal violence.

Australian family lawyer and pet custody law expert Eve Smith and Pet Refuge NZ CEO Dame Julie Chapman join Emile Donovan to discuss whether New Zealand should follow suit.

Luna is a two-year-old golden retriever who lives on Auckland’s Hibiscus Coast.

Luna is a two-year-old golden retriever who lives on Auckland’s Hibiscus Coast Photo: Rhonwyn Newson

8:40 Shower Thoughts: Where does bellybutton fluff come from?

Nanotechnologist Dr Michelle Dickinson joins Emile Donovan to explain.

Michelle Dickinson AKA Nanogirl

Michelle Dickinson AKA Nanogirl Photo: RNZ

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 Is bigger better? New Zealand's obsession with utes and SUVs

Ten years ago, New Zealanders' favourite car to buy was a Toyota Corolla. Today, it's more likely to be a Ford Ranger.

Safer for passengers but more lethal to pedestrians, are our cities built to accommodate a larger, heavier car fleet?

Professor of epidemiology and biostatistics Alistair Woodward from the University of Auckland joins Emile Donovan to explain.

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Photo: Provided

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.

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10:17 The Detail: The electricity evangelist spreading the solar message

It may seem that as an ordinary person, cutting emissions is too big a job. But homeowners have a large part to play. Alexia Russell reports.

10:45 The Reading

We rejoin Glenn Colquhoun as he reads part two of his essay Jumping Ship, about the time he spent living in a small community in the Bay of Islands.

11:07 Worlds of Music

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