Sunday Morning for Sunday 6 October 2013

8:12 Insight Fiji’s Progress – New Friends and Influence

Since Fiji's military commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, took over Fiji in the coup of 2006, his regime has concentrated on making new friends and gaining influence beyond Fiji's traditional Pacific partners. Wellington and Canberra were among those to put sanctions on Fiji after the coup but they are now easing up on the regime, with the promise of elections in Fiji next year. In the meantime Commodore Bainimarama has been busy on the international stage, strengthening links with China and making new deals with the likes of Russia and the Arab states. Radio New Zealand International's Sally Round asks whether the new links can endure and what they mean for the region.
Produced by Philippa Tolley.

8:40 Fiona Kidman – The Enigmatic Jean Batten

Dame Fiona Kidman talks to Chris about her new novel based on the life of pioneering aviator Jean Batten. Described as elusive and glamorous, Jean Batten made a record-breaking solo flight from England to Australia but struggled with celebrity and died in obscurity.
The Infinite Air, by Fiona Kidman, is published by Random House.

9:06 Mediawatch

In Mediawatch this week: A survey in the news said one-third of people haven’t voted in the local elections because they don’t know enough about the candidates. Are the media to blame for that? How far should the media go when giving their opinions on candidates? How helpful are polls published during the voting period? Also – stories spoon-fed to the news media by brands which want exposure.
Produced and presented by Colin Peacock and Jeremy Rose.

9:40 Gus Roxburgh – Wild about National Parks

Gus Roxburgh has explored all 14 of New Zealand’s national parks. He talks to Chris about his travels and his passion to inspire Kiwis to experience our wild places.
Wild About New Zealand, by Gus Roxburgh, with Matt Philp and Peter Hayden and photographs by Jason Hosking, is published by Random House.

10:06 Ideas The Future of Publishing

It’s been a mixed year for the local book trade with two multinational publishers shutting down their New Zealand operations, and a continuing decline in the number of books being sold. On the other hand it’s also been a year to celebrate with Eleanor Catton’s The Luminaries being short-listed for the Man Booker Prize and Hollywood’s adaptation of the last Kiwi novel to be short-listed – Lloyd Jones’ Mister Pip – opening around the globe. Chris Laidlaw sits down with Fergus Barrowman, of Victoria University Press; Kevin Chapman who headed up Hachette NZ until it was closed earlier this year; and Allen and Unwin’s Melanie Laville-Moore to discuss the future of publishing in New Zealand. Plus, Jeremy Rose talks to BWB’s Tom Rennie about a new e-book series; and to Peter Rigg, the co-owner of Nelson’s Page and Blackmore bookshop.
Produced by Jeremy Rose.

10:55 Today’s Track

‘We Oughta be Drinkin’ – from Sheryl Crow’s new album Feels Like Home.

11:05 Down the List

National list MP Keith Blindside and his assistant, Tory Scumbag, thrash out housing affordability.
Down the List is written by Dave Armstrong and produced by Adam Macaulay and Duncan Smith from the RNZ Drama Department.

11:12 Jonathon Porritt – The World in 2050

Sir Jonathon Porritt is visiting New Zealand to launch his new book – The World We Made – which is set in 2050 and looks back at the challenges and events that happened to make a much better world than we have now. He co-founded Forum for the Future and is a former director of Friends of the Earth. Jonathon Porritt also has a New Zealand connection – his dad was Governor-General in the 60s.
Jonathan Porritt was hosted by the Hikurangi Foundation.
The World We Made, by Jonathan Porritt, is published by Phaidon.

11:40 Wayne Brittenden’s Counterpoint

Two significant events of the past few days have criticised the increasingly corporatised culture of public universities and warned of the implications for academic freedom. Wayne takes up the issue and Chris follows with guests Michael Neill, Emeritus Professor of  English at Auckland University, and Victoria University’s Dr Sandra Grey, senior lecturer in social and cultural studies.