09:05 United Nations investigator discusses atrocities in Syria

The man charged by the United Nations with investigating atrocities committed in Syria says he has "run out of words to describe the gravity of the crimes" there. Over the past three years, more than 100 000 Syrians have lost their lives in the escalating conflict between forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and those opposed to his rule. The bloody internal conflict has destroyed whole neighbourhoods and forced more than nine million people from their homes. Three million of them have fled across Syria's borders to escape the bloody civil war - one of the the largest forced migrations since the Second World War. Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, who chairs the United Nations' investigative panel on Syria, recently presented the eighth report in the past three years to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. It says the civil war has reached new depths of madness, with worsening atrocities committed by both Islamic extremists, known as Islamic State militants, and pro-government forces.

Read the report from the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic.

09:25 How Estonia became the world's leading hi-tech society

Estonia has become the first country to allow online voting in its general elections, has the fastest broadband speeds in the world. 95% of the population files its tax returns online, and it has the highest number of startups per head of population of any country in the world. Linnar Viik is a computer science professor, internet guru, and leader in Estonia's high-tech industry. He is one of the founders of the "Tiger Leap" Foundation, which in 1996 started massive computerization of Estonia's schools. He started also a network of open Internet access points all over the country and led countrywide Internet awareness and training campaigns. In 2000, Mr Viik helped Estonia become the first country in the world to adopt a system of e-governance, changing its cabinet meetings to paperless sessions. He discusses how good online government works, and how to foster a flourishing startup culture.

Listen again to a 2012 interview with Skype co-founder Jaan Tallinn, who is a former student and now colleague of Linnar Viik's.

09:45 US Correspondent, Jack Hitt

US correspondent Jack Hitt discusses comedian John Oliver's investigation into claims made by the Miss America pagaent that it is the single biggest provider of scholarships to women in the world.

10:05 British disability rights campaigner, Sophie Morgan

Sophie Morgan is walking again after ten years in a wheelchair, with the help of a high-tech wearable robot, made by New Zealand company Rex Bionics. Sophie was 18 and celebrating excellent exam results and acceptance into law school, when driving home from a party with four friends, she took a corner too fast and the car overturned. She suffered a complete break of the spine, and was told she'd never walk again. She's forged a successful career as a portrait artist, has modelled for Stella McCartney, presented Paralympics coverage on British TV, and become a disabled rights advocate and campaigner.

10:35 Book review: 'The Children Act' by Ian McEwan

Reviewed by Louise O'Brien

10:45 The Reading: 'My Brother's Keeper', by Donna Malane

Who'd have thought that investigator Diane Rowe's client - an ex con - was setting up a trust for her daughter when she was murdered.  But that's what  is being explored in today's penultimate episode. (Part 11 of 12).

11:05 Business commentator, Rod Oram

The dairy sector – Synlait's announced an interesting Chinese deal and Fonterra reports its year end results in Wednesday amid a further erosion of the international milk price. Mighty River Power's share price has finally got back over its float price, and two small but excellent New Zealand companies are sold to foreign buyers.

11:30 Annette Parry on Richard III

Scientists in Britain who have studied the remains of King Richard III have detailed how he died in battle 500 years ago. The latest research has excited Richard III enthusiasts, among them Annette Parry of the NZ Richard III society. She won Mastermind in 1991 with the Plantaganet King as her topic.

11:45 Media commentator, Gavin Ellis

Media commentator Gavin Ellis discusses Election night coverage and post election commentary, the Maori TV shake-up and is Google manipulating its search engines to advantage its commercial partners?

Music played in this show

Artist: Howard Tate
Song: Ain't Nobody Home
Comp: Ragovoy
Album: --
Label: Verve
Broadcast Time: 09:24

Artist: Wanda Jackson
Song: You Don't Know Baby
Comp: Spriggs
Album: --
Label: Ace
Broadcast Time: 10:09

Artist: Nouvelle Vague
Song: Just Can't Get Enough
Comp: Clark
Album: Nouvelle Vague
Label: Peacefrog
Broadcast Time: 11:26

Artist: Al Green
Song: Love and Happiness
Comp: Green, Hodges
Album: --
Label: Shock
Broadcast Time: 11:41