For a lot of people around the country, buying a house seemed like an iron-clad investment – but new data is showing that might not just be the case anymore.
Since the property market peaked in 2021, house prices across the country have generally been trending downward, leaving many homeowners in a tough position. Now, new figures show almost 20% of townhouses are being sold for a lower price than what their owners paid for them, in some cases facing a devastating loss.
So, what’s driving the downturn? How concerned should homeowners be right now? Is this good news for buyers?
Finance journalist Frances Cook joins Emile on the show tonight to break it all down.
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8:20 The life of a chimney sweep
There’s definitely a bit of a chill creeping its way into the air right now, which means fireplaces across the motu will soon be roaring into action.
For a lot of us, chimney sweeps only really exist in movies like Mary Poppins.
But it may come as a surprise to you that they are indeed still very real; so real in fact, that Emile is joined by Michael Gleason of Dr Sweep, on the show tonight to tell us about life as a chimney sweep.
Photo: 1markim/123RF
8:30 The rise of professional football in Aotearoa
Tomorrow night, 29,000 football fans will pack into Go Media Stadium for the A-League Men Grand Final.
In just their second season, Auckland FC have made history, becoming the first New Zealand professional football club to both reach and host a top level grand final.
It’s a long way from the days of New Zealand’s first professional club, the Football Kingz, who played in Australia’s National Soccer League from 1999 until the club folded in 2004.
Former All White and Kingz player Harry Ngata has seen first-hand just how far football in Aotearoa has come. He joins Emile Donovan on the show tonight.
Former All White Harry Ngata
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
8:40 Short-Cuts with Dan Slevin
Nights’ resident screen critic joins Emile Donovan to review:
IN CINEMAS
The Mandalorian and Grogu – Favreau (2026). The first Star Wars movie to arrive in cinemas in seven years, this film is a spinoff from the hit Disney+ streaming series about a mysterious bounty hunter surprised to find himself caring for a mute alien child with special powers (and a resemblance to a well-known Jedi named Yoda).
PAID STREAMING – DocPlay
Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore – Stern (2025). A documentary about the first deaf actor to win an Academy Award for Children of a Lesser God in 1987 when she was only 21 years old. The film is directed by a deaf woman, Shoshanna Stern, and is as much about the deaf experience of the hearing world as it is Matlin’s ground-breaking career.
FREE STREAMING – YouTube
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert came to an end this week, celebrating on Youtube with highlights from the 11-year run of the show.
Photo: Supplied / Disney+
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.
For each question answered correctly, a quizzee gets their name put in the draw for the weekly prize: the coveted Nights mug.
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.
Featuring:
- mary in the junkyard – New Muscles
- Ataraxia by Web Web
- Vince Staples – White Flag
Photo: Finn Johansson
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.
10:17 The Detail
Tonight on The Detail – From the new kids to grand finalists in two short years, Auckland FC’s fairytale rise has sparked football fever across New Zealand.
Auckland FC vs. Adelaide United during the Leg 2 of the A-League Men Elimination Final series.
Photo: Getty/ Sarah Reed
10:45 Focus on Politics
In Focus on Politics, Russell Palmer asks if the government’s public service cuts are made to measure, whether AI will help, and what it means for the election and beyond.
Photo: RNZ
11:07 The Logg Cabin
It’s Ladies Night on The Log Cabin this week, as Mark selects some of his favourite waiata from wahine artists in another all-Aotearoa affair. Sharing his love of local music, Mark features tracks from Ladi6, Hollie Smith, Ria Hall, Julia Deans and Erny Belle.