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A wrap of the day's big stories

It's time for us to showcase another unusual museum here on RNZ Nights. It's our fortnightly segment we call Nights at the Museum. And tonight - we head to Croatia to the Museum of Hangovers co-founder Rino Dubokovic speaks to Emile.

ABC Wantok Program for 20 October 2026.

Dylan Reeve has worked in reality TV for more than two decades - he also happens to be one of the hosts of RNZ podcast The Reality Machine.

Some of us are punctual folk. If the movie says it starts at half-seven, we expect it to start at half-seven. But - why DON'T movies start on time? What's the logic, the economics behind this? Neil Lambert is the owner of premium cinema chain Silky Otter. He speaks to Emile.

Is this more than just a minor irritation? Or does it point to a wider public safety issue? Should New Zealand do the same? 

The latest news from Melanesia.

But how do you take some of humanity's oldest and biggest questions and make them relevant to teenagers in the 21st century?

The latest RNZ Pacific news and sport

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then: award winning fashion writer Emma Gleason returns to discuss Faradays, Auckland's swanky new department store and NZ's history with these hubs for capitalism.

First up, Australia is reeling after a member of parliament lost a leg in what's being described as a deliberate attack. Professor Al Gillespie discusses with the panel if political violence against politicians is on the rise and what that means for democracy. Then, who should be in charge of deciding how many off-street carparks should be required for new houses? With warnings out there that in s...

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about the fallout from the attack on the Victorian MP Helen Haines who was hit by a vehicle yesterday in what's been described as a deliberate targeting of the politician. 

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Sticky beaked humans are putting Kaikoura's little blue penguins under stress, forcing volunteers to set up safe spaces away from prying eyes. The Kaikoura Wildlife Centre Trust and the councils have set up three reserve areas for the at-risk korora. Kaikoura Wildlife Trust manager, Sabrina Leucht spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Football Ferns are home recovering from their scare in Panama. The side were forced to cut their tour short after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck the country. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Selwyn councillor says water charges could reach a point where people simply cannot afford to pay, as thousands call for the Canterbury district's pricing system to be reviewed. An 18 percent water bill hike took effect in July when council-owned organisation Selwyn Water issued its first invoices, a year after the entity was first established. Anna Sargent reports.

Scott Watson's defence lawyers say police "primed" and "pressured" a key eyewitness to identify Watson in a photo montage. Watson is appealing his convictions in the Supreme Court for the murders of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope after a New Years' party in the Marlborough Sounds in 1998. Reporter Ellen O'Dwyer was at the appeal and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Some of Rotorua's homeless are busing out of the central city in the evenings to avoid being moved on, according to the Salvation Army. Emergency housing in the city is now down to just one motel with 12 families. At its peak 62 motels and hotels housed 600 people. Salvation Army Community Ministries manager in Rotorua, Darnielle Hoods spoke to Lisa Owen.

All the top stories and other headlines from the day

Chris Hipkins has challenged Christopher Luxon to talk health ahead of the final leaders' debate this evening. It has emerged as one of the campaign's big talking points, as Labour releases its plan to fix wait times at emergency departments. But National says things have improved - and is challenging Labour on its law and order record instead. Political reporter Giles Dexter has more.

An Australian politician has lost her leg after a violent attack left her pinned between two cars. Independent MP Helen Haines was allegedly rammed by an SUV in front of her electorate office. She remains in a critical condition and a 43 year old man is in police custody. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called it a "deliberate act". The ABC's Ben Knight is in Wangaratta, where the attack happe...

A teenage witness has described the bloody scene at a bus stop following the attack that killed an American PhD student in Auckland. The teenager, who cannot be identified, gave evidence in the High Court in Auckland where four other teenagers are on trial - accused of robbing and murdering Kyle Whorral in Meadowbank in April last year. Finn Blackwell was in court, and a warning this story contain...

The Silver Ferns are not going to let Australian netball take all the credit for their recent success. The Silver Ferns opened the Constellation Cup with a victory over the Diamonds on Sunday, and will meet them for test two in Christchurch tomorrow. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe reports.

Act call to stop rail roading children into university and treating trades like a second best option. It's plans to shift what it says is an obsession with university; launching a policy to boost the standing of and access to trade training. ACT candidate Paul Henry joins LIsa Owen with further details.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about a US Air Force member who has died after a stunt ahead of a sports game in Texas went tragically wrong.