Nights for Monday 21 July 2025

8:10 Is the new assisted dying law working as intended? 

More than a thousand New Zealanders have chosen when to end their lives, under the assisted dying law that came into force at the end of 2021.

And in the past year, demand for the service has continued to grow, with applications rising by twenty percent.

But the number of people who end their lives this way is still relatively small. Four hundred and seventy-two in the past twelve months, or just over one percent of all deaths in the country.

So is the law working the way supporters hoped it would?

Or are there still barriers that mean this option is only available to a small group of people?

Ann David is a long-time advocate for assisted dying, and she's spokesperson of the End-of-Life Choice Society.

She joins Emile Donovan.

8:20 When is a pint not a pint?

It's a quintessential part of pub culture in this country - and the term has continued despite the adoption of the metric system back in 1976.

But it appears not all pints are created equal.

Recent debate among some brewers and pub owners has highlighted the fact that there has never has been is no official definition of a pint measure in New Zealand.

So are beer drinkers being short-changed? Or is a 'pint' just part of the kiwi venacular? 

Dylan Firth is Chief Executive of the Brewers Association of New Zealand and joins Emile Donovan.

8:40 Sports with Jamie Wall

RNZ sports whiz and journalist Jamie Wall joins Emile Donovan to debrief the week in sport.

8:50 BBC World with Pete Ross

Tonight, a potentially a big week for climate news with two significant announcements expected, a China-EU summit this week in Beijing marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two parties - but comes at a time of strained relations and US president Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Scotland at the end of this week, ahead an official state visit to the UK in September.

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 Liam McIlvanney on football, calling NZ home and his new crime novel

Liam McIlvanney is the inaugural Stuart Professor of Scottish Studies and Director of the Centre for Irish and Scottish Studies at the University of Otago. He holds degrees from the universities of Glasgow and Oxford. 

He is also a crime novelist. He joins Emile Donovan to talk about his fifth novel, The Good Father.

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 - If you don't want to face the unpalatable truth about your boozing, the alcohol lobby is on your side

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10:45 The Reading

Another in John Bluck's series of short talks describing his attempts to learn the art of living rurally. 

John had a busy working life that took him to cities up and down New Zealand but then he moved to a small country village north of Auckland - something that required different skills and an understated vocabulary.

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 show there's new music from Van Morrison, classic blues and soul from Big Mama Thornton and Al Green, plus birthday tunes for Don McGlashan.