Nights for Monday 19 February 2024
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BBC World lookahead with Rich Preston
10:45 PM.The Netherlands challenge Israel at the International Court of Justice and the world reacts to the sudden death of Alexei Nalvany, one of Russian president Vladimir Putin's greatest domestic critics.
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Sports with Bryan Waddle
10:30 PM.Recapping the biggest moments in sport, including Kane Williamson's record-breaking century, and the triumphant return of NRL star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Read more Audio
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New Zealand birth rate lowest since WWII
10:18 PM.Statistics released this morning showed there were 19,071 more births than deaths in 2023. Back in 1943, there were 17,562 more births than death. Read more Audio
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Bar-tailed godwits' habitats at risk across the globe
9:35 PM.A new UN report highlights unique challenges the bird faces along its famous 13,000 kilometre migration path. Read more Audio
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Student radio station tower destroyed in Port Hills blaze
9:30 PM.Alternative radio station RDU had its transmission tower on Marley's Hill burnt to a crisp in the 650-hectare fire. Read more Audio
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Whakataukī of the Week with Moana Maniapoto
9:15 PM."A man who has only one plan may not succeed" is part of legendary journalist Moana Maniapoto's chosen whakataukī. Read more Audio
7:12 Stuff the British Stole
Throughout its reign, the British Empire stole a lot of stuff. Today the Empire's loot sits in museums, galleries, private collections and burial sites with polite plaques. But its history is often messier than the plaques suggest.
On today's episode: most heists target gold, jewels or cash. This one targeted illegal seeds.
As the British established their sprawling empire across the subcontinent and beyond, they encountered a formidable adversary - malaria.
There was a cure - the bark of the Andean cinchona tree. The only problem? The Dutch and the French were also looking to corner the market in cinchona. And the trees themselves were under threat.
Grab a gin and tonic and come with us to hear how a botanical empire took off - and gave birth to a quintessential cocktail.
Cardamom orange gin and tonic Photo:
7:45 The Reading
Tonight, the second episode of Tipface Bunyan by Susie Pointon, read by Judith Gibson.
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.
8:30 BBC Science in Action
High-profile climate scientist Michael Mann has been embroiled in a 12-year battle against conservative commentators who claimed his data was fraudulent. Last week, he was awarded $1m in a defamation lawsuit. Michael joins Science in Action to discuss the case and the impact it may have.
Also, the devastating effect of sea ice loss on Polar bears, a chemical solution to blackouts, and is it possible to use a forest to detect the most violent astrophysical sources in our universe?
Professor Michael Mann. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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. The person with the most correct answers at the end of the run goes in the draw for a weekly prize.
The quiz is themed - find out more about tonight's theme on Nights' Facebook page.
9:15 Whakataukī of the Week with Moana Maniapoto
Legendary journalist, musician and artist Moana Maniapoto joins Emile Donovan to share a whakataukī close to her heart.
"Tuuwharetoa e!
Kia aata whakatere i te waka
Kei pariparia e te tai moonehunehu, Tuuwharetoa!
Whakamaarotia atu anoo, ka whakahoki mai ana
Ki te kapua whakapipi
Ka mate kainga tahi, ka ora kainga rua"
Moana Maniapoto Photo: supplied
9:30: Student radio station tower destroyed in Port Hills blaze
The fire in Christchurch's Port Hills which broke out on Wednesday has since been contained.
One of the things the 650 hectare blaze ripped through was a transmission tower on Marley's Hill for Christchurch's beloved alternative radio station, RDU.
RDU's programme manager Liam Donnelly joins Emile Donovan.
The RDU transmission tower on Marley's Hill before and after the Port Hills fire. Photo: RDU
9:35 Nights Science: Bar-tailed godwits
Tonight for Nights science, the mysterious ultra-marathon runner of the bird world: our very own bar-tailed godwit.
Their 12,000 kilometre migration from their home in New Zealand to Alaska is the longest non-stop trip of any bird species, and a new UN report is shining a light on its shrinking habitat.
Dr Phil Battley is an associate professor of Zoology at Massey University and he joins Emile Donovan.
bar tailed godwit in flight. Photo: Peter Langlands Wild Capture 2020
10:17 New Zealand birth rate lowest since WWII
Stats NZ announced today New Zealand's birth rate has fallen to its lowest since World War II.
Statistics released this morning showed there were 19,071 more births than deaths in 2023. Back in 1943, there were 17,562 more births than death.
Massey University distinguished professor Paul Spoonley joins Emile Donovan to talk through the numbers and discuss what New Zealand's population might look like in 20 years time.
Photo: 123RF
10.30 Sports with Bryan Waddle
Nights sports correspondent Bryan Waddle joins Emile Donovan to chat about the Warriors' triumphant return, the Black Caps top-of-the-tables spot going into an Aussie challenge, and the Breakers making the ANBL playoffs.
New Zealand’s Kane Williamson celebrates his century during day four of the second cricket test match between New Zealand and South Africa at Seddon Park in Hamilton on February 16, 2024. (Photo by Fiona Goodall / AFP) Photo: FIONA GOODALL
10.45 BBC World
BBC reporter Rich Preston joins Emile Donovan to look at the events making headlines internationally, including the Netherlands' challenge to Israel in the International Court of Justice, the sudden death of one of Putin's greatest Russian critics Alexei Navalny, and a look ahead to the path to the US election.
Photo: AFP
11:07 Nashville Babylon
Every week on Nashville Babylon Mark Rogers presents the very best in country, soul and rock 'n' roll.
On this week's Nashville Babylon there's classics from Laura Nyro and Chuck Berry, blues from ace songwriter Alvin Robinson plus birthday tunes for legendary soul star Smokey Robinson.