Nights

We talk to Dr Alistair Watts about his new book New Zealand's France which explores the French influence on NZ and our psyche. He reckons that the French had a far greater influence than we may realise.

Bryan Easton is back once again. Tonight he reviews last month's budget, considers the practicality of unemployment insurance, and maybe answers a question or two on our options for cutting our greenhouse gas emmissions.

Zoe George, Senior Sports Journalist at Stuff is our sportscaster tonight.

Sharham Aryan is back with more wonderful music from Persia. Tonight he's looking at how Western instruments and musical theory came to Iran and how they influenced the music.

We talk to David Bitton, the director of one of the films at this year's Doc Edge Festival. "By Rook Or Left Hook" is all about CHESSBOXING - which is exactly what it sounds like - alternating rounds of chess and boxing.

Tabu Butagira joins us once again from Kampala Uganda.

We chat to Frances Moore from the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra ahead of a special concert with weekend that has a strong trainspotter connection - so, of course, Bryan wanted to find out more.

Bryan pops into Wellington institution S&M's as Scotty and Mal get ready to shake their final cocktails and hand over the reins of the bar.

Tony Stark first put on the Iron Man suit in 1968. Not only does it allow him to withstand bullets and give him superhuman strength, but the suit also mends itself. Associate Professor in Chemistry Catherine Whitby looks to nature to find out whether a suit like this would be possible in in the real world.

Continuing our evening dedicated to getting children reading. Eleanor Boyce from SPELD, is here to talk about helping and encouraging reading for children with specific learning difficulties. This year is the 50th anniversary of SPELD, so they have many years of experience to lean into in offering help.