What’s the best thing that’s happened to our economy over the past couple of weeks?
The election? No. Oil prices slowly heading back down? Not that either.
It was the rain.
That’s according to NZ Herald Business Editor at Large Liam Dann, who says the recent downpours couldn’t have come at a better time for farmers, particularly with the prospect of a long, dry El Niño summer looming.
But it also raises a bigger question . . . how much of our economic future is actually in our own hands?
To talk about that Liam joins Emile Donovan on the show this evening.
An image showing the 2015 El Niño with rising temperatures in the Pacific.
Photo: NOAA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
8:30 Midweek Mediawatch
Colin Peacock joins Emile Donovan to debrief the week in media news.
Tonight, we’re talking about RNZ’s proposed job cuts, the election aftermath, the passing of comedy legend Dai Henwood, and the end of The Hui.
The minister of Māori development Nanaia Mahuta on Three’s The Hui earlier this year confirms that job losses are likely at Māori Television.
Photo: screenshot
9:06 Nights 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
Clue #1: I am … pretty legal … and I am speaking in French! I have the power- but only because you choose to believe in me. I am there, but I’m not there; much like that fellow’s cat. In New Zealand, I am still only half-finished. I am the past intention of Arsenal’s Ray. Hoot hoot.
9:10 European correspondent Christian Smith
Christian Smith dials in from London with news from the other side of the world.
Tonight, he’s talking David Walliams being accused of preying on young women, a senior US soldier in UK being arrested for spying for Russia, The Booker Prize being won by a science fiction author for the first time, and how you can move to Italy and get a free house.
British actor David Walliams.
Photo: AFP
9:20 Julia de Bres on nicknames of NZ cities and towns
It’s time for our fortnightly chat with Nights’ resident sociolinguist, associate professor Julia de Bres.
Tonight, we are talking all about our rich culture of adopting affectionate nicknames, shortenings and colloquial monikers for our cities and towns.
Photo: Julia de Bres
9:35 Why doesn’t NZ have a natural history museum?
“Explain New Zealand and the world falls into place around it.”
Those were the words of Gareth Nelson, curator of fishes at the American Museum of Natural History.
But despite Aotearoa’s extraordinary natural history, we still don’t have a natural history museum of our own
London, Paris and New York, all have one and our guest tonight thinks it’s about time we did as well.
Nic Rawlence is an Associate Professor in Ancient DNA at the University of Otago, and he joins Emile to discuss why it’s finally our time.
Two female gulls at Kaikōura settle their chicks for the night.
Photo: Natural History New Zealand
Photo:
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 – RNZ staff are shell-shocked and gloomy about their futures after budget blow-out revelations that endanger one in six jobs.
Photo:
10:45 The Reading
Tonight’s reading is the final from Civilisation – twenty places on the edge of the world by Steve Braunias. The book, which won the general non-fiction category of the 2013 NZ Post Book Awards, has been described by one reviewer as “Funny, moving, and sometimes terrifying”.
In tonight’s reading Steve visits the Southland town of Winton.
11:07 Pocket Edition
In this week’s Pocket Edition with So’omālō Iteni Schwalger – John Campbell plays back some of the his favourite tunes at the moment, Elliot Childs speaks with Legendary guitarist Ry Cooder on his groundbreaking 1976 album ‘Chicken Skin Music’, and MOHI performs in studio for Music 101.