Sunday Morning for Sunday 14 July 2013

8:12 Insight A Strong New Zealand Dollar – Help or Hindrance?

Insight investigates the long-term consequences of a high New Zealand dollar for exporters and consumers. Exporters complain it's jeopardising the future of their business, and undermines the Government's goal of building a sustainable, export-led economy. But some economists argue the exchange rate reflects the strength of the economy, and consumers have benefited from cheaper imported goods and services. Radio New Zealand's economics correspondent, Patrick O'Meara, talks to both sides about whether there is a right level for the kiwi that benefits all, and how that might be achieved.
Produced by Philippa Tolley.

8:40 Sidney Jones – Democracy and Security in Indonesia

Fifteen years after the fall of Suharto and the end of authoritarianism, Indonesia is a stable democracy and one of the freest countries in Southeast Asia. But there is debate within that country about whether democracy has reduced or exacerbated the country’s security challenges. Sidney says that, like every other country in the world, Indonesia is trying to find a balance between freedom and security.

Sidney Jones is senior adviser for the Asia Programme at International Crisis Group. She was in New Zealand recently to present a lecture for the Centre for Strategic Studies at Victoria University.

9:06 Mediawatch

Mediawatch looks at sexism and spin in the media – the 'man-ban' in New Zealand, 'ditching the witch' in Australia, and even at Wimbledon.  Also: Fears for the future of in-depth journalism as the digital revolution gathers pace – but also signs of hope.
Produced and presented by Colin Peacock and Jeremy Rose.

9:40 Nick Cater – The Ruling Class

Nick Cater believes the culture of egalitarianism in Australia and New Zealand is under threat. In his controversial new book The Lucky Culture, he says that a new, tertiary-educated class of people has emerged who not only think their education gives them better academic skills, but also a sense of moral superiority over others. He talks to Chris about his theory of this self-appointed ruling class.
Nick Cater is a senior editor at The Australian newspaper and author of The Lucky Culture and the Rise of an Australian Ruling Class. He is in New Zealand next week as a guest of The New Zealand Initiative and his holding public seminars in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

10:06 Ideas Valuing Nature

This week on Ideas we hear from two of the keynote speakers at the Valuing Nature Conference in Wellington: Sir Robert Watson – the former chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; and Marlene Laros, a South African environmentalist and editor of this year’s UN Habitat: State of African Cities report.
Produced by Jeremy Rose.

10:55 Today’s Track

Highway Song from Patty Griffin’s new album, American Kid (New West Records)

11:05 Down the List

David Shearer’s political advisor tries to ensure that a stinking toilet is unblocked in a democratic and fair manner, and is very concerned with ensuring the choice for undertaking the task does not severely disadvantage or exclude women.

11:12 Andreas Schleicher – Father of PISA

The OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) began in 1997 and is an international study which aims to evaluate education systems worldwide by testing the skills and knowledge of 15-year-old students. Andreas Schleicher is known as the ‘Father of PISA’ and he visited New Zealand this week.
Andreas Schleicher is Deputy Director, Directorate for Education, at the PISA programme.

11:40 Wayne Brittenden’s Counterpoint

This week Wayne trawls through the recipe books that he inherited from his grandmother, and finds that a significant slice of our social history is written on their pages. Chris follows up with history professor Dr Peter Lineham.