Nights for Wednesday 4 February 2026

8:10 Becoming Australia

Should New Zealand become the seventh state of Australia?

It's a debate that's been sparked by political commentator David Farrar who thinks we should. He was on The Panel earlier with Wallace Chapman saying a change in the world order over the last decade means it's now time for us to take up the 125-year-old invitation.

He says we are a minnow country that will never have the economic or military might to defend our interests.

So, should we join our Australian cousins across the ditch? Well, lawyer and political commentator Liam Hehir thinks not and joins Emile to explain why.

8:20 The psychology of queuing

When you head to the pub for a drink it's been very much the norm to get in a scrum with everyone else to get the attention of staff behind the bar.

But that appears to be changing for British pubs who are seeing an increase in single file queues. Despite publicans trying to encourage punters to get a drink the old-fashioned way, their patrons aren't budging.

Chief Social Scientist at the Curiosity Company Carl Davidson explains why, as well as why we even queue at all.

8:30 Midweek Mediawatch 

Midweek Mediawatch - Mediawatch’s weekly catch-up with Nights. 

Colin Peacock talks to Emile Donovan about the New Zealand connection to the Epstein files, further fallout from the Mount Maunganui tragedy and Christopher Luxon left red faced after fire fighter pulls rude gesture.

9:05 Riddle

Tune in throughout the night for a series of riddle clues.

Be the first to text in the right answer and win a Nights mug.

Text 2101 or email nights@rnz.co.nz

9:10 The Book of New Zealand Words

Nights' resident sociolinguist Julia de Bres, who is associate professor at Massey University is back for 2026, on a new and improved Wednesday basis.

She spent her summer break, as all linguists do, reading a dictionary: The Book of New Zealand Words (2013) to be precise, and tells Emile she found some cool words.

9:30 Nights at the Museum

Nights is endeavouring to put a digital foot in the door of every weird and wonderful museum the world has on offer.

Based in the Swedish city of Malmo, the Disgusting Food Museum features more than 80 foods from dozens of countries, including fermented shark, baby mice wine, fertilized egg and yes, even Vegemite. It also invites visitors to explore philosophical and cultural questions about what disgust is and why it is not always as universal as we think.

Director of the Disgusting Food Museum Andreas Ahrens tells Emile all about it.

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.

10:15 The Detail

On The Detail - weeks after the January floods wreaked havoc on the east coast, The Detail visits two towns to see how locals are holding up - and what the future holds.

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10:45 The Reading

Ginette McDonald reads today's short story 'Made in New Zealand' by Norman Bilbrough.

11:08 Wednesday Music Feature 

Split Enz are reuniting for the first time since their one-off concert in 2009. To mark the occasion in the lead up to their headline performance at Electric Avenue, RNZ Music presents Enzology - The Story of Split Enz.