It’s BUDGET time again.
Each May, traditionally on a Thursday, New Zealand governments decide on ways to manage the nation’s fiscal challenges.
And tomorrow, Finance Minister Nicola Willis will deliver the third and final Budget of this Parliamentary term.
Henry Cook is Deputy Political Editor at The Post. He’s written about eight New Zealand budgets of years gone by and looked at what we can expect tomorrow. He’ll be chatting to Emile on the show tonight.
Photo: RNZ/Liam K. Swiggs
8:25 The House
Tonight on our Parliament show – The House – Phil Smith sits in on a committee for modern slavery and curriculum subject changes.
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
8:30 Midweek Mediawatch
Colin Peacock joins Emile Donovan to debrief the week in media news.
Tonight: The NZ Media Awards were handed out last Friday, two journalists’ view of the future, the RNZ survey results are in, and the series of politician’s vs media continues.
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’m a flashing red light; I’m a few hours away.
I’m a long thin weapon – and another just in case.
I’m a classic 80s horror – and I am what follows day.
Hear that sound? What’s it called … when the sound has gone away?
9:10 Branding the Harbour Bridge
Could one of Auckland’s most iconic landmarks soon have a corporate sponsor attached to it?
Auckland Council has announced plans to turn the Auckland Harbour Bridge into what it’s calling a “storytelling canvas”, and it’s looking for a company to help pay for it in exchange for branding and naming rights.
Now, to be clear, the bridge is not officially being renamed, so we’re probably not about to get the Chemist Warehouse or Mad Butcher Harbour Bridge anytime soon.
But the proposal does raise some interesting questions.
Why do companies spend millions attaching their names to stadiums, landmark buildings and public spaces? And what do brands actually gain from that kind of association?
Bodo Lang is a Professor of Marketing Analytics at Massey University and joins Emile on the show to discuss.
Photo: Caleb Shong/ Unsplash
9:20 Julia de Bres on British insults
It’s time for our fortnightly chat with Nights’ resident sociolinguist, associate professor Julia de Bres.
Tonight, we’re talking about insults. Whether it was gafter, numpty of something a bit more r-rated we’ve all probably had one hurled at us at some point or another.
Here to tell us more about the negative and positive aspects of insults is the one and only Julia.
Nights’ resident sociolinguist, associate professor at Massey University Julia de Bres
Photo: Julia de Bres
9:35 Mouse plague overwhelming Western Australia
Did you know there’s a mouse plague happening right now in Western Australia?
Morawa, 370 kilometres from Perth, has been overrun, with rodents invading homes, businesses and paddocks.
When do lots of mice become a plague? Well, according to the Australian national science agency, it’s when mice populations explode to over 800 to 1,000 mice per hectare.
But in Western Australia right now, it’s estimated there are 8,000 mice per hectare. AKA a mice plague – and then some!
Sports fans, Imagine a rugby or football field and 5,440 mice in that space. Or 156 mice in a tennis court.
We wanted to hear more – so Emile is joined by Morawa shire president, Karen Chappel.
Photo: 123rf
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 – The real cost of living in paradise: the Queenstown housing crisis is leaving locals priced out and struggling.
Queenstown locals are struggling to stay in the town with house and rental prices soaring.
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
10:45 The Reading: The New Ships Episode 11
Tonight on episode 11 of Kate Duignan’s The New Ships – Peter had a momentary call with his son Aaron in Pakistan which serves to remind him of the great distance between them, meanwhile an imposing warship anchors in Wellington harbour.
11:07 Pocket Edition
Maggie Tweedie hosts this new series of Postcards, a trip overseas unearthing musical discoveries from New Zealander’s tracing their musical life abroad.
It’s time to travel to the blue skies of Greece with Vasili Vrakas, a music producer born and raised in Athens. Who now calls Wellington his creative home.
Postcards from Athens
Photo: Zen Yates-Fill