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Emile Donovan
Based in Auckland, Emile Donovan is a South Islander at heart, having been raised in Christchurch and going on to study a BA in English and Music at the University of Otago in Dunedin.
He started at RNZ in 2016 as a reporter, before becoming a producer for Afternoons with Jesse Mulligan and The Panel with Jim Mora. He has now taken on the role as presenter for Nights since early 2024.
Emile has presented RNZ podcast Squeaky Bum Time: A Football World Cup Podcast, summer programmes Summer Times and The Weekend, and Newsroom/RNZ current affairs podcast The Detail.
When he’s not reclining in deep contemplation of the secrets of the universe, he enjoys cooking, keeping up with sport, and lazing with his beloved cat, McNulty.
RNZ Programmes
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Nights
Tune in to Nights with Emile Donovan every weekday from 8pm to midnight for a delectable buffet of creative ideas, open-minded conversations, music, musings and daily stimulation.
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Summer Weekends
Be entertained on Saturday and Sunday mornings throughout the summer break, with great interviews and music from 9am till noon. Hosted by Bonnie Harrison and Emile Donovan on 10 & 11…
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Ingrid Hipkiss
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Susie Ferguson
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Trevor Reekie
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Search results for Emile Donovan
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The art of playing the triangle with NZSO percussionist Sam Rich
16 Dec 2025Sam joins Emile Donovan from our Wellington studio for a live performance to showcase the triangle. Audio
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Shower Thoughts: How did the backstage lounge the 'Green Room' get its name?
16 Dec 2025TV icon Jason Gunn joins Emile Donovan to answer tonight's Shower Thought question. Audio
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How to set and keep New Year resolutions
16 Dec 2025Professor Kirsty Ross is Head of the School of Psychology at Massey University and joins Emile Donovan to share some tips. Audio
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The psychology of 'checkout charity’
16 Dec 2025Marketing expert Ekant Veer joins Emile Donovan. Audio
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The Panel Plus
16 Dec 2025An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then, fashion critic Emma Gleason comes along to advise on what's best to wear this… Audio
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Sports with Jamie Wall
15 Dec 2025RNZ sports journalist Jamie Wall joins Emile Donovan to look back on the biggest sports stories of 2025. Audio
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Yodelling hits a high
15 Dec 2025UNESCO has officially recognised the singing style as part of the world's intangible cultural heritage. Peter Cairns teaches the art of yodelling and joins Emile Donovan. Audio
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What the Bondi attack tells us about gun law reform
15 Dec 2025The terrible events cross the Tasman have once again put the spotlight on firearms control. Waikato University's International Law Professor Al Gillespie joins Emile Donovan. Audio
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The Panel Plus
15 Dec 2025An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then: Invercargill is getting creative in finding ways to encourage rangatahi to get… Audio
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Short-Cuts with Dan Slevin
Nights’ resident screen critic joins Emile Donovan to look at what’s new on the big screen as well as a few things worth watching from the comfort of your couch. Audio
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Christchurch welcomes big new sports and aquatic centre
12 Dec 2025Emile Donovan speaks to Warren and Mahoney architect Brett Diprose about what it takes to design and build such a colossal community asset. Audio
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Is true crime as a form of entertainment ethical?
11 Dec 2025Jen Eastwood is a writer, reader, and host of the Sick Sad Lit podcast and joins Emile Donovan. Audio
