Nights

8:10 The Richardson v Willis fiscal boxing match

Nicola Willis has challenged former National Party Finance Minister Ruth Richardson to debate the country's books at Parliament.

The Taxpayers' Union is poised to launch a "pressure campaign" targeting Willis in an effort to convince her to cut spending and reduce debt.

Heading into National's caucus meeting on Tuesday morning, Willis said it was clear the campaign was being driven by Richardson, who is chair of the Taxpayers' Union.

Deputy political editor at The Post Henry Cooke joins Emile Donovan. 

8:25 The House

Our report from Parliament with Phil Smith

Tonight Phil outlines yet another busy week or urgency to come.

8:30 What is a culture war? Nights expert Dr Julia de Bres explains

 A few years ago the Guardian reported that there had been an exponential rise in news stories that used the term 'culture wars'.

 They also reported on the results of a radio poll in 2021, in which respondents were asked 'when politicians talk about a 'culture war', what do you think they mean?'

The results were that only 7% came up with a relevant answer, 15% got it wrong, and 76% said they didn't know.

So what is a culture war? Our resident science expert, Dr Julia de Bres, sociolinguist and senior lecturer at Massey University has been giving this some thought and joins us.

8:35 The internal journey of the injested Fabergé ​egg

A Fabergé locket worth more than $33,500, swallowed by a man during an alleged theft at an Auckland jewellery store, was last week "recovered" by police.

Police had earlier been called to a jewellery shop in Auckland city where a man was accused of picking up the Fabergé James Bond Octopussy Egg pendant and swallowing it.

The story made news around the world, including on CNN and the BBC - and left many of us wondering how the pendant could make such a journey.

Dr Cameron Schauer is a gastroenterologist, interventional endoscopist and a Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland. He joins Emile Donovan.

8:40 Shower Thoughts: How did the 111-emergency number come about?

Have you ever been standing in the shower, when suddenly, the noise in your brain clears and, in its place, appears the perfect thought? That's a Shower Thought.

Each Tuesday, here on Nights we aim to answer those unshakable questions lurking in the back of your mind.

Tonight, have you ever wondered how New Zealand ended up with the 111-emergency number, why not 222 or 555? 

MOTAT Telecoms Volunteer Brian Potter joins Emile Donovan to talk about the history of emergency phone services in New Zealand.

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.

9:25 The culture of beauty through the centuries

It might seem that modern beauty standards, and the regimes people put themselves through to maintain them, are a recent invention.

But in fact, beauty practices have been around for centuries looking youthful and attractive has always had enormous social significance and importance.

Erin Griffey is Associate Professor of Art History at the University of Auckland and the author of a new book, Facing Decay: Beauty, Aging, and Cosmetics in Early Modern Europe.

She joins Emile Donovan.

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.

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10:17 The Detail

Tonight on The Detail - At Auckland Museum's new shark exhibition, all the models are to scale, allowing visitors to get face-to-face with some of the largest creatures on the planet

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10:45 The Reading: 'Watch of Gryphons'

Paul, an engineer from New Zealand, has befriended an Italian couple in Perugia where he is a consultant on an engineering project. As Paul's relationship with his new friends grows. So his relationship with his arrogant Italian supervisor begins to show signs of strain.

Peter Hambleton reads Episode 2 of Owen Marshall's 'Watch of Gryphons'.

11:07 Worlds of Music

Trevor Reekie hosts a weekly music programme celebrating an eclectic mix of trans global music, fusion and folk roots.