Nights for Thursday 29 May 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 New Zealand's best tap water, officially

We cross to the winner of the 2025 IXOM National Water Taste Test competition.

The finalists for best-tasting tap water are Waimakariri District Council - Cust; Rotorua Lakes Council - Eastern supply, Waipa; Timaru District Council - Seadown; and Taupō District Council - Tirohanga.

8:45 The Reading

Tonight, we have an affectionate portrait of character and setting by that master of the short story, Owen Marshall.

The story is titled 'Trusty and Well Beloved' and its read for us by John Leigh.

9:08 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 Myth Takes: Greek islands

Classics educator and enthusiast Ben Jackson joins Emile Donovan for a virtual holiday to some of ancient Greece's island city states.

9:40 Is churning butter worth it?

The price of butter has gone up 65% in a year, but does that mean it's time to roll up your sleeves and take matters into your own hands?

Anna from recipe blog 'Just A Mum's Kitchen' joins Emile Donovan to weigh in on whether buying cream for butter is cheaper in the end, and whether any butter substitutes pass muster.

10:18 Bipartisan support emerging for financing home solar

Energy minister Simon Watts says he is open to a policy enabling access to low-interest finance options for homeowners wanting to install solar panels.

Labour energy spokesperson Megan Woods is also a fan of the policy, designed to reduce barriers to taking up solar energy - an investment which often includes high up-front installation costs.

The CEO of advocacy group Rewiring Aotearoa Mike Casey joins Emile Donovan.

10:30 Live from the Aotearoa Music Awards

RNZ music journalist Tony Stamp beams in from the biggest night in New Zealand Music to share who's won big.

10:45 Auckland's The Others Way festival spills out onto the street

US songwriting star Sharon Van Etten will be winging her way to New Zealand this November for Auckland's most iconic street festival, with the first wave of artists performing at The Others Way announced today.

The other big news: for the first time in the festival's history, its home of Karangahape Road will be closed to cars and music and people alike will be able to flow out onto the streetscape.

Banished Music director and The Others Way festival promoter Reuben Bonner joins Emile Donovan.