Nights

The small French town of Le Quesnoy has been packed with New Zealanders for the opening of the New Zealand Liberation Museum - Te Arawhata. Dignitaries, descendants of Kiwi soldiers involved in the liberation of the French village of Le Quesnoy during World War One, donors who have supported the project, and members of the public, gathered to acknowledge a friendship that began more than 100 years ago. TV Producer Jude Dobson, is in France for the opening and has followed the journey of the development of the $15 million museum. She talks to Nights about the moment and why it's so important to honour the sacrifice of those men.

In 2009 a group of Wellington artists and creatives started what would be a seven-year programme of projects committed to economic and environmental concerns. Letting Space as it was called, was a response to the political climate at the time, and just in time for the election on Saturday a book titled urgent moments was released today, documenting those years and the art and artists involved. Sophie Jerram was one of those behind whole project and co edited the book - She talks to Mark Leishman about the history behind Letting Space and why art is an important political force.

Nights regular and toxicologist Dr Leo Schep joins the show again. Tonight he takes a look at workplace drug testing as well as the dangers of opioid overdoses.

Colin Peacock is in the studio to discuss the big stories in the media. This week the sudden and shocking violence across the Gaza-Israel border and more election debates.

Just before 10am this morning more than 60 Canterbury school children slid and spun their way down Hanmer's new million-dollar attraction. The $3.2 million slides, the Violet Vortex and Waiau Winder, are part of a new look Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa. General manager Graeme Abbot talks to Mark Leishman about how opening day went.

A new book showcases 20 of the country's best road trips, from onboard a motorbike. The author of the book, Kim Johnstone has motorcycles in her veins and she talks to Mark Leishman about what drives her passion.

Earlier this year Ed Sheeran convinced a jury that he didn't rip off Marvin Gaye's `Let's Get It On.' By way of contrast, Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke earlier failed to establish that `Blurred Lines' wasn't a copy of Gaye's `Got to Give It Up.' But could automated algorithms bring a new objectivity to music copyright infringement decisions, limiting the number, scale and expense of court cases? Nights talks to Musicologist Dr Patrick Savage of the University of Auckland about a new study.

Elite athletes come in all different shapes and sizes. They have very different skillsets. The one thing they share in common is the unquenchable, single-minded drive that propels them to reach for the stars. And nobody knows that better than Jasmine Tetley who talks to Nights about what it takes to be the world's top conkerer.

Meat The Need facilitates donations of meat and milk from farmers to food banks across the country. Shrimpton's Hill Herefords from Cave is among farmers supporting the initiative and has donated the proceeds of one bull in their annual bull sale since the charity was established in 2020. Mark Leishman talks to Shrimpton's Hill Herefords' Liz McKerchar.

In the past couple of months our drivers have had success after success - from 21-year-old Liam Lawson making his Formula One debut to IndyCar drivers Scott Dixon and Scott McLaughlin achieving a one-two finish in a big race at Monterey in the USA What's going on? Is there something in the water in Aotearoa? Motorsport journalist Sandy Myhre joins Nights to discuss.