Nights

8:10 How Halloween cobwebs make frighteningly good DNA collectors 

Fake cobwebs - they're a mainstay of any spooky Halloween display. 

Now researchers have found fake cobwebs can also weave surprising benefits for environmental research. 

The research comes from the University of Waikato and the Bioeconomy Science Institute and suggests they can be an effective way to collect environmental DNA.

University of Waikato Senior Lecturer of Ecology, Biodiversity and Animal Behaviour Dr Ang McGaughran joins Emile Donovan.

8:20 This Weekend: The annual Movie Marathon at the Hollywood Cinema

Every Friday here on Nights, we like to take a look at what's happening around the country in the weekend ahead.

Tonight we find out about the annual 24-hour movie marathon at Auckland's Hollywood Cinema.

8:30 MC Slave on his new RNZ show

Mark Williams better known as M.C. Slave from Fat Freddy’s Drop has spent more than 30 years in and around the music industry as a broadcaster, DJ, musician and director.

Starting tonight, just after 11pm, he’ll be curating music from across the soul spectrum on his new weekly show here on RNZ, The Logg Cabin.

He joins Emile Donovan.

8:40 Short-Cuts with Dan Slevin

Nights' resident screen critic joins Emile Donovan.

Tonight he discusses Pike River (Sarkies, 2025) in cinemas, Peacemaker S1 & S2 (Gunn, 2022-2025) Neon, and GRAVITY (Cuarón, 2013). ThreeNow.

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 Out Lately with Finn Johansson

He's back, and no doubt ready to inform, educate and entertain us with an array of eclectic music.

Tonight he features:

• Lila Alelí - Silvana Estrada
• Everybody Knows My Business Now - Georgia Knight 
• Ladizon - Bill Direen/Bilders

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.

Follow this podcast

10:17 The Detail

This evening on The Detail - The US isn't known for its rugby prowess, or interest - so when the All Blacks take on Ireland this weekend, they're playing to sell a vision.

Follow this podcast

10:45 Focus on Politics

 Labour's long-awaited tax plan has finally landed - a targeted capital gains tax on property, paired with three free GP visits for every New Zealander.

But the rollout was not exactly smooth - and with old tax ghosts stirring, Labour's challenge now is to rally behind the proposal - and convince voters this time will be different.

RNZ's acting political editor Craig McCulloch takes a deeper look at the policy and its announcement.

11:07 RNZ Music: The Logg Cabin Show with MC Slave

Every week on The Logg Cabin Mark William's (aka (MC Slave from Fat Freddy's Drop) explores the finest music from across the soul spectrum from funk, reggae, hip hop and house music The Logg Cabin delivers music for the mind, body and soul.

On this week's show Mark spins new music from Nathan Haines and Chronix, revisits a classic from Curtis Mayfield and rediscovers a track from local musician Isaac Aesili.