Nights for Tuesday 29 April 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 Meraki 2: NZ's first amateur rocket to reach space

Just a few weeks ago, in a quiet paddock on a remote New Zealand farm, a bold chapter in our country's space history was written.

This was far from a billion-dollar Nasa or Space X style launch. It was in fact the work of a passionate group of amateur racketeers with big dreams.

In a major milestone for New Zealand's rocketry community, the first amateur rocket called Meraki 2 from was launched from Aotearoa into space.

Dean Spittle, a member of the New Zealand Rocketry Association, was there to witness this extraordinary moment  he speaks to Emile Donovan

8:45 The Reading

The conclusion of Shingle Beach - Carl Nixon

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 Preserving Vasa: the large Swedish warship

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

Tonight we're heading to The Vasa Museum, located in Stockholm, Sweden, is home to the Vasa, a large warship built in sixteen twenty-five by order of the Swedish King.

The museum is one of Sweden's most popular tourist attractions, drawing over one million visitors each year.

It has recently announced its four-year project to preserve the hull of the ship.

Emile Donovan speaks to Dr Fred Hocker, Director of Research at the museum.

9:35 Shower Thoughts: How are animals trained for the movies?

Have you ever been standing in the shower, when suddenly, the noise in your brain clears and in its place appears the perfect thought?

That's a Shower Thought and tonight we're scratching that itch by answering the question how are animals trained for movies?

Caroline Girdlestone speaks with Emile Donovan on what it takes to train animals for the big screen.

10:17 Tory Whanau bows out of re-election bid

For the third election in a row, Wellington will get a new mayor, with Tory Whanau pulling out of the race today.

Whanau announced this morning she won't seek re-election and has thrown her support behind former Labour Cabinet Minister Andrew Little.

Her term has been dogged by personal struggles and political controversies, and Little's entry into the race seems to all but sealed her fate.

Someone who has followed Whanau's ups and downs closely is The Post's National Affairs Editor, Andrea Vance.

She chats to Emlie Donovan about Tory Whanau's mayoralty and the challenges for anyone looking to take over the running of Wellington City in the upcoming local council elections.

10:30 Liberals win Canadian Election - what now?

Canada's ruling Liberals have claimed another election victory in a feat that would have seemed impossible only a few short months ago.

Prime Minister Mark Carney's gamble to call a snap election has paid off with his party projected to win 167 seats, five short of a clear majority.

The former central banker has defined himself as the best person to deal with Canada's unpredictable neighbour to the south.

Ashleigh Stewart is a New Zealand journalist who now lives in Canada. She discusses where to from here.

10:45 Vegan Chocolate Awards 

The annual Vegan Chocolate Awards took place last night in Auckland, inviting chocolatiers from across the country to duke it out to see who can craft the best tasting chocolate without using a single drop of dairy milk.

An assortment of bon bons, truffles, and other delicacies were presented to six experienced judges, using their taste buds to determine winners in twelve categories.

There could only be one supreme winner and that was taken out by Wonderland Pineapple Chews. And if that sounds familiar to you, judges made a note saying it was a "perfectly delicious and moreish twist on a classic".

Emile Donovan catches up with comedian, vegan with a sweet tooth and judge Tom Sainsbury.

11:07 Worlds of Music

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