RNZ - All Programmes

A wrap of the day's big stories

Christian Smith dials in from London with news from the other side of the world.

Almost all-election almost all-the-time as voting nears. Also, the gang visit scandal, Parents Alliance examined - and more journalists' jobs on the line.

Long Story Short is the podcast from award-winning New Zealand journalists Eugene Bingham and Adam Dudding. Each episode takes a sensational crime, scandal, catastrophe, or something just plain weird, unravels it, then pieces the whole story back together. And the first episode of season two is out now. Emile speaks to Adam and Eugene about the stories they couldn't help but explore.

ABC Wantok Program for 21 October 2026.

Colin Peacock joins Emile Donovan to debrief the week in media news.

The latest news from Melanesia.

On Monday night, you may have caught a plea from our sports man, Ben Strang  . . . to bring back jousting Well, I said leave it with us, and we have delivered.

Lily Allen fans will be saying "Not Fair" tonight. The singer cancelled her show this evening just hours before she was due on stage in Auckland. Allen made the announcement this morning on social media, leaving some fans with unrecoverable travel and accommodation costs. To discuss what seems to be a trend of artists flaking on New Zealand Emile speaks with music journalist Chris Schulz.

The latest RNZ Pacific news.

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Penny Hulse, Tim Wilson and Corin Dann. Up for discussion tonight: the third and final leader's debate: who won and are there just too many debates now to follow? The latest on what the political polls are saying. the attack on Australian MP Helen Heines and what it says about political violence and ou...

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then: Rory O'Sullivan joins Wallace for a discussion on what makes a polyglot, what are they and why he is in such awe of them.

First up, if you think there's too much political talk on air, just wait till you see what's being served up on social media. Parties are posting endless streams of content on Tik Tok, Facebook and the like. But who's using it best? The panel talks to Dr Sarah Bickerton, lecturer of public policy at the University of Auckland. Then, in France intense protests have exploded into riots over the last...

This week's Sonic Moment of Calm brings you a dawn chorus rural style.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about two men who have been re-arrested as part of a counter-terrorism investigation into the incident at RAF Fairford, as well as King Charles III hosting the Sultan of Oman at a state banquet at Windsor Castle.

The Australian Diamonds are confident they can beat the Silver Ferns in Christchurch tonight to level the Constellation Cup. The final two Tests will be played in Australia, where the Silver Ferns don't have a great track record. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe reports.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Hundreds of endangered Canterbury knobbled weevils have been released at a secret location. The tiny beetles are protected under the Wildlife Act, and were thought to be extinct, but were rediscovered in the early 2000s. Six of them became 260, mating in a laboratory in Mosgiel. DOC entomologist Tara Murray spoke to Lisa Owen.

Crown lawyers in the Supreme Court today say a photo montage at the heart of Scott Watson's appeal is only one piece of evidence in an overwhelming case against him. Watson is appealing his conviction for the murders of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope in Marlborough Sounds on New Years' Day in 1998. Ellen O'Dwyer was at the Supreme Court and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Higher prices and cost of living remain the number one election issue for many around the motu. The IPSOS Issues monitor survey had had it in the top spot for Kiwis since early 2022. The two men vying to be prime minister say they understand the cost of living crisis - but do they really when they're both earning more than $300,000 a year? Political reporter Russell Palmer has more.

All the top stories and other headlines from the day

Community activists and politicians are fighting to stop the sale of a Kainga Ora owned social housing development in Wellington. The sale has sparked local backlash over concerns for community spirit and affordable housing - with the Labour and Green parties calling for the sale to be put on hold until after the election. Anya Fielding reports.

An innovative Kiwi company, that is revolutionising the way e-waste is recycled is building a factory in Texas. Mint Innovation is using a lower carbon chemical process to isolate reusable metals from old computers and phones, helping reduce the need for mining as demand for electronics grow. Mint Innovation's founder and executive director Will Barker spoke to Lisa Owen.

Thousands of university and polytech staff have walked off the job across the country today. The Tertiary Education Union estimates 8000 members are participating in the mass industrial action over pay. Reporter Felix Walton is at the University of Auckland spoke to Lisa Owen.

The PNG Chiefs have today unveiled their first jersey and logo, marking another milestone on the road to their NRL debut in 2028. The big reveal comes in the middle of a legal stoush with New Zealand Rugby over the Chiefs name. Sports editor Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.