Nights

He's back, and no doubt ready to inform, educate and entertain us with an array of eclectic music. It's Finn Johansson.

Thousands of Kiwis will be casting off across the country this weekend with the opening of the new fishing season on Sunday morning. It's a long-held tradition for many New Zealanders and big numbers are expected wih the opening this year falling on a weekend this year, and coinciding with the school holidays. Fish & Game Officer Richie Cosgrove talks to Mark Leishman about the upcoming season.

Dan Slevin joins us for his weekly chat on brand new films, both in cinemas and on streaming services.

Sadly for many people they don't live near or no longer have grandparents to spend time with. That's where our next guest can help. Founder of Grandfriends Joy Hays talks about the service which matches families with older people in their communities to help them make new connections and foster new relationships.

Nights podcast reviewer Lynn Freeman is bringing a real mix of shows with her this week.

A Maori theatre and circus collaboration is set to wow an international audience, with its World Premiere in Canada next month. The spectacle - Te Tangi a te Tui - will then open in Aotearoa in 2024.

If you've ever dreamed of driving a digger, Taranaki could be the place to head for - with the region's first 'digger park' opening it gates. Self-confessed digger enthusiast Stan Chesswas talks to Nights about his brainchild and his love heavy duty earthmoving equipment.

More wild spring weather is on the way and its looking like a like a soggy few days ahead, with most parts of the country likely to see some wet weather. Snow levels are forecast to lower to 500 metres in Southland tonight, dropping further early Saturday morning. MetService Expert Meteorologist Allister Gorman talks to Nights about what's behind the unsettled weather, and when we might see some blue skies and sunshine?

One Auckland restaurant is on top of the world after been named one of the best fine dining establishments in 2023. The Grove in St Patricks Square has been ranked at 11 on TripAdvisor's 2023 Best Restaurants list, based on traveller customers ratings and reviews. Owner Michael Dearth talks to Mark Leishman about the secret behind the restaurant's success.

A new proposal could save the much-loved and internationally renowned Taieri Gorge Railway in Otago. It's hoped the new community-based model will secure the future of the attraction so it can operate successfully in a post-pandemic world. Otago Excursion Train Trust chair Murray Schofield talks to Nights about the new venture.

As our lives get busier and busier activities like hobbies are often left to go by the wayside, so we can focus on work or our families. But Rob Donovan from the University of Western Australia says a hobby can keep us active "mentally, spiritually and socially" and also have a positive impact on our overall well-being. He talks to Mark Leishman about how to find space for hobbies and why they're so beneficial.

Colin Peacock discusses the big stories of the week, with politics taking centrestage once again. Colin gives us his take on the second leaders debate and looks at the launch of a new news service for subscribers.

Chris Hipkins and Christopher Luxon faced off in the second leaders debate in Auckland tonight. RNZ's Political Editor Jane Patterson was there and joins Mark Leishman for her analysis.

Otepoti Dunedin is set to roll out the red carpet this weekend for the gala screening of New Zealand feature film Uproar. The event this Sunday at the Regent Theatre will be attended by VIP guests including producers, the film's directors, as well as some leading cast members. Nights talks to Uproar co-director and co-writer Hamish Bennett about the new film and why it was so important to base it in Dunedin.

From the deep south to the Far North, Hato Hone St John is embarking on a nationwide mission to empower thousands of New Zealanders with essential lifesaving skills. As part the organisation's annual Shocktober campaign, it aims to tackle one of the leading causes of death in this country - cardiac arrest. Jacci Tatnell is Hato Hone St John Head of Community Education and talks to Nights about the campaign.

A global experiment has tested whether music is understood in the same way across cultures. The study was led by Yale University and the University of Auckland and played song snippets to over 5,000 participants from 49 countries - asking people to classify each as a dance, lullaby, healing, or love song. Nights talks to the authors of the study about the findings and to see how New Zealanders fared.

Are you a details person? A Canterbury University researcher is keen to find naturally gifted people with the “super abilities” required to match complex visual patterns without any training – and she’s developed an online test to assess them.

In just a few weeks' time 22 young explorers will depart on a three-week expedition to the remote South Georgia Island. One of those young explorers will be aviation meteorologist with Kelly Davenport who speaks to Nights about the adventure ahead of her.

New Zealand crowdfunding platform PledgeMe is celebrating a milestone, having just crossed the 70 million dollar-through-their-platform mark. It was reached thanks to a little help from an ethical underwear company - the latest to benefit from a crowdfunding campaign. PledgeMe co-founder Anna Guenther talks to Mark Leishman about the platform's success.

Seals have become regular visitors to Wellington of late, with one even forcing the cancellation of a train service in the Capital today after it found a resting spot on the tracks. DOC Ranger Tony Milner talks to Nights about what's behind the increase in sightings and what's the best thing to do if you come across one of the marine mammals.