09:05 Retiring Chief of NZ Defence Force

Lieutenant General Tim Keating

Lieutenant General Tim Keating Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

The country's top solider, Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Tim Keating, will retire on Friday after four and a half years at the top. The former SAS member and commander of the SAS regiment, departs as two investigations are underway into different incidents involving New Zealand soldiers in Afghanistan. Lieutenant General Keating has also had to tackle the persistent sexism within the armed forces revealed in a 2015 review,  prompting him to establish Operation Respect, a programme which has seen sexual ethics and healthy relationships training rolled out to staff throughout the organisation.

09:20 Sleep on your side from 28 weeks

New research concludes expectant mothers sleeping on their side in the last trimester helps prevent stillbirth. While this has been common advice for pregnant women, a decade of research carried out in three countries has confirmed the very consistent association between sleeping position and stillbirth.  The Sleep on Side; Stillbirth Prevention Campaign includes brochures for pregnant women and health professionals and a social media video   Kathryn Ryan speaks with lead researcher Head of the University of Auckland's Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department Professor Lesley McCowan.

09:45 Australia correspondent: Karen Middleton

Pressure on the Labour leadership, Tony Abbot still making trouble for Malcolm Turnbull, and the Socceroos crash out of the World Cup.

10:05 The Heath Quartet

The Heath Quartet

The Heath Quartet Photo: Simon Way

The award winning Heath Quartet are one of Britain’s most exciting chamber ensembles. They are in New Zealand for a two week tour of the country with a programme of contrasts, including Bach, Haydn, Britten and a new commission from New Zealander Gareth Farr. Lead violinist Oliver Heath and Violist Gary Pomeroy join Kathryn to talk about their concerts and sharing their music with school children.

10:35 Book review - The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner

Stella Chrysostomou from Volume reviews The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner, published by Jonathan Cape.

10:45 The Reading

Watch of Gryphons by Owen Marshall told by Peter Hambleton ( part 3 of 5)

11:05 Music Power Couples

RNZ's Kirsten Johnstone features some dynamic musical duos including Beyonce and Jay Z (the Carters) Terrible Sons, and Abigail Washburn and Béla Fleck.

11:20 Tricksters & villians of the Pacific

The not so nice adventurers who travelled the Pacific in the nineteenth century. 94 year old John Dunmore, is a much published author on Pacific exploration, and has had his work recognised by both the French and New Zealand governments. His latest book, Scoundrels and Eccentrics of the Pacific details the rogues who once made the Pacific their playground in the nineteenth century, as well as some of the victims who fell prey to the unscrupulous traders.

11:45 How do dripping taps make the plink sound?

Our science commentator, Dr Siouxsie Wiles looks into how a leaky tap makes the plink sound and asks if Alzheimer’s is the result of an infectious disease?

Associate Professor Dr Siouxsie Wiles is the head of the Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab at the University of Auckland.