Sunday Morning for Sunday 31 March 2013
8:12 Insight: Power Play for Antarctica
New Zealand has long been considered a leading player in Antarctica. But is that set to change? As countries with multi-million dollar budgets set up numerous bases, many are questioning their motives. Are they there for science or for the oil and minerals? On top of that, New Zealand's relationship with the United States has suffered over the past couple of years, with the two allies arguing over plans to protect the Ross Sea. Will the partnership endure? Olivia Wix explores New Zealand's changing role on the ice, and whether it can continue to be a key player.
Produced by Philippa Tolley.
8:40 Elaine Wainwright – Hope in the New Pope
Elaine Wainwright talks to Richard about the challenges facing Pope Francis within the Catholic church and the hope that, in leading by example, he will be a champion of social justice and caring for the environment.
Professor Elaine Wainwright is head of the School of Theology at the University of Auckland.
9:06 Mediawatch
Why are the media here welcoming a one-stop shop to hold them all accountable, while overseas attempts to impose beefed-up watchdogs have caused a huge fuss? Mediawatch also look at how the media marked 10 years since the start of war in Iraq, why BBC TV news is vanishing for free-to-air viewers -- and some recent stories which mixed fact and fiction.
Produced and presented by Colin Peacock and Jeremy Rose.
9.40 Brian Turner – Spirit of the Land
New Zealand writer and poet Brian Turner talks to Richard about what makes his spirit soar – and reads some of his poems.
10:06 Ideas: Invented Languages
Esperanto is undoubtedly the best known and most successful invented language but it’s far from the only one. Richard Langston talks to Arika Okrent who lists 500 of them in her book ‘In the Land of Invented Langauges’; and Jeremy Rose speaks to John Quijada the American inventor of Ithkuil, a language that has developed a devoted following in Russia, and David Ryan, a member of the New Zealand Esperanto Association.
Produced by Jeremy Rose
10.55 Today’s Track
Submarine Bells, from the album of the same name, by NZ band The Chills. (Slash Records)
11.05 Down the List
Where does the real power in New Zealand lie? That’s right, with a bunch of bureaucrats, underlings, officials, and lowly-ranked list MPs that you and I have never heard of. Whether it’s in sport, politics, commerce, education or the arts, the only way to find out what’s really going on in this country is by going ... Down the List. Written by Dave Armstrong and produced by Radio New Zealand’s Drama department.
11.12 Alain de Botton – Religion for Non-Believers
UK-based writer and philosopher Alain de Botton, is author of Religion for Atheists. He says that atheists can use the experience and insights of religion to build better communities and become better people.
11.40 Wayne Brittenden’s Counterpoint
Wayne Brittenden has been Radio New Zealand’s correspondent in several capital cities over the years. Each week he gives fresh insights into a wide variety of topics of national and international concern, followed by Chris Laidlaw’s discussion of the issue with guests. Today, artery-clogging trans-fats are known killers and make a massive contribution to heart disease, yet in New Zealand we often have no way of knowing which products contain them. Wayne looks at the inadequacies of labelling in this country, and how some others are doing much better by virtually banning industrialised trans-fats altogether. Richard follows up with Simon Capewell, a Professor of Public Health at Liverpool University.