Nik Dirga, Radio New Zealand (RNZ) Journalist Profile

Articles

Book of the day: How the World Made the West by Josephine Quinn

1 week ago | nzherald.co.nz | Nik Dirga

History is written by the winners, or so the saying goes. But is it actually just written by the winners with the best public relations skills? If you grew up in the last century, many of us were fed the notion that “civilisation” started only with the Greeks and then the Romans, and that everything before that was pretty much cavemen grunting and some stuff from The Bible.
The Sex Pistols at Auckland Town Hall prove punk is not dead

3 weeks ago | nzherald.co.nz | Nik Dirga

Can the mostly reunited punk pioneers still thrash the system, 50 years after four London misfits formed the band? Photo / Getty ImagesReview by Nik DirgaBy Nik Dirga of RNZPunk is dead, people have been saying since 1978 or so. Of course, that’s a lie. It’s still there, just constantly changing. The Sex Pistols led the first wave of punk that outraged a strait-laced Britain and then the world in a blazing comet of a career that lasted only two and a half years.
Oscars 2025: What to expect and how to watch in NZ

1 month ago | 1news.co.nz | Nik Dirga

Get your popcorn popping - it's almost time for Hollywood to crown the year's best films. The 97th Annual Academy Awards ceremony is set to begin at 7pm LA time (1pm NZ time) later today, and we're here to look at the biggest controversies, pick some likely winners, and see if New Zealand has any chance at Oscar gold at the big event. So what's everyone talking about this year?
The Academy Awards 2025: Who will win, who should win and how do I watch the Oscars in NZ?

1 month ago | nzherald.co.nz | Nik Dirga

Demi Moore is considered the frontrunner for Best Actress Oscar for her performance in The Substance. By Nik Dirga of RNZGet your popcorn popping – it’s almost time for Hollywood to crown the year’s best films. The 97th annual Academy Awards are Monday, March 3 (NZT), and we’re here to look at the biggest controversies, pick some likely winners and see if New Zealand has any chance at Oscar gold at the big event. So what’s everyone talking about this year?
Oscars 2025: Who will win and who should win and how do I watch in NZ?

1 month ago | rnz.co.nz | Nik Dirga

Get your popcorn popping - it's almost time for Hollywood to crown the year's best films. The 97th annual Academy Awards are Monday, 3 March NZT, and we're here to look at the biggest controversies, pick some likely winners, and see if New Zealand has any chance at Oscar gold at the big event. RNZ will live blog the Oscars on Monday 3 March from noon. The red carpet and ceremony can be watched in NZ on Disney+ streaming.
The summer I... got to live out my Manhattan media adventure

Jan 19, 2025 | rnz.co.nz | Nik Dirga

Thirty years ago this summer, I had my New York City adventure. I was a 22-year-old kid from way down in Mississippi who ended up working at a major international magazine. In my last few months of university, I stumbled into an internship with Billboard magazine, the music industry bible. I'd been signed up for a "trade magazines" internship, and apparently the few awkward music reviews and pieces I had slapped together as clippings was enough for me to get a three-month tour aboard.
US Election: Fifteen American politics movies to watch instead of doomscrolling

Nov 3, 2024 | rnz.co.nz | Nik Dirga

It's not even a New Zealand election, but we get it. You're stressed out. America will choose its next president on Wednesday NZ Time, deciding between former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris. You really can't scroll through campaign news non-stop without breaking your brain, but you're still in a mood to watch something political. The presidency has been the subject of countless movies, good and bad, from lofty biopics to action-packed romps.
US election 2024: When will we know the result?

Oct 28, 2024 | nzherald.co.nz | Nik Dirga

By Nik Dirga of RNZAfter one of the most unpredictable election years in American history, the country is finally nearly ready to choose its next president. Here’s what you need to know about when to expect results. Election Day is Tuesday, November 5 US time, and voters will decide whether Republican Donald Trump or Democrat Vice-President Kamala Harris will lead the country.
When will we know the US presidential election result?

Oct 28, 2024 | rnz.co.nz | Nik Dirga

After one of the most unpredictable election years in American history, the country is finally nearly ready to choose its next president. Here's what you need to know about when to expect results. Election Day is Tuesday, 5 November US time, and will decide whether Republican Donald Trump or Democrat Vice-President Kamala Harris will lead the country.
Capturing a comet: Sharp shooter snaps spaced-out pic

Oct 18, 2024 | rnz.co.nz | Nik Dirga

A West Auckland photographer managed to capture Comet C/2023 A3 as it soared over the skies this week. Rohit Vig took the photos in Te Atatu on Wednesday as the rare comet flew over New Zealand. "I used my Nikon Z6ii mirrorless camera with a 85mm lens set up on a tripod at Point Chevalier beach," he said. "I knew that the comet would be visible just after sunset in the western sky so I got to the beach at around 7.30pm and was there until about 9pm.