Nights for Monday 26 January 2026

8:10 In a changing world how does New Zealand find its way?

Every day it seems there is a new shift in the international order. President Donald Trump makes proclamations about taking over sovereign countries, calls out long-standing allies in speeches, or just completely changes his mind.

As Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned at Davos over the weekend, we may be heading back to a world where "might makes right."

For countries like New Zealand, this new kind of diplomacy brings multiple challenges and potential dangers.

So how can a small island nation in the South Pacific not just survive, but even thrive, in this new world of great-power rivalry?

Mark Leishman speaks to Nicholas Ross Smith, a senior research fellow at Canterbury University's National Centre for Research on Europe.

8:25 Small Histories

Every Monday, we take a moment to look back with our resident historian, Emma Kay.

Emma runs Small Histories of New Zealand, where she digs up curious stories, funny articles, and lost treasures from our past and shares them on social media.

Tonight she's talking about our somewhat complex web of provincial anniversary days.

8:40 Nights Sport with Jamie Wall 

It's been a whirlwind few weeks in New Zealand rugby with the shock sacking of All Blacks coach Scott Robertson after a couple of years that were maybe not great, but not exactly disastrous either.

Our Nights sports ace and RNZ reporter, Jamie Wall, has been on top of this story from day one and he's here to give us the inside scoop on the saga.

8:50 BBC World Service

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

Our correspondent tonight is Rob Hugh-Jones.

9:05 Nights Quiz

Do you know your stuff? Come on the air and be grilled by Mark Leishman and 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 Our enduring fascination with Stonehenge

One of the UK's leading archaeologists is here in New Zealand.

Julian Richards will be at the Whanganui Regional Museum this Thursday, January 29th, to give a public talk about one of the world's enduring mysteries -- Stonehenge, and the emerging science telling us the origins of those ancient stone formations.

Ahead of his talk Julian speaks with Mark Leishman.

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

OnThe Detail - The floods keep coming, and we keep rebuilding. Is there a better way to cope with increasing numbers of infrastructure-wrecking storms?

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10:45 The Reading

Tonight's reading is 'Maintaining Standards' part of the story series 'Serves 'Em Right' by David Hill, read by Aaron Alexander.

Feathers are ruffled in the staffroom at Girls High when young Robert Cole gets the new position in the Maths Department.

11:07 Nashville Babylon

Every week on Nashville Babylon Mark Rogers presents the very best in country, soul and rock 'n' roll.

This week on Nashville Babylon there's birthday tunes for Lucinda Williams and Peter Bruntnell, soul and reggae from Sugar Pie Desanto and Gregory Isaacs, two tracks from the late Joe Ely plus a all time classic courtesy of Nick Drake