Wayne Brittenden

Coverage of the crisis in Ukraine has generally lacked historic context, and yet some little-known facts are essential for a proper understanding of the complex and rapidly changing situation there. Audio

Excessive inequality's now recognised by many governments as a problem that has to be addressed, although some economists argue that it's the inevitable outcome of globalisation and de-regulation… Audio

China has expressed "extreme concern" over a report that Japan has resisted pressure to return to the US a large quantity of weapons-grade plutonium. Wayne looks at growing regional fears that Japan… Audio

Wayne looks at the proliferation of slogans and strap-lines, many in traditional places for them while some have ventured into previously unnecessary and inappropriate places. Social critic and former… Audio

In recent weeks there have been Hitchcock retrospectives in a number of western cities. Though Hitchcock was far from political, an aspect of the great director's work neatly describes a… Audio

Last Wednesday marked the 50th anniversary of a movie that many critics believe to be one of the funniest ever made. Dr Strangelove nevertheless had a serious point to make about the high risks… Audio

As if the hazards at Japan's crippled Fukushima Daichi nuclear plant needed to worsen, more highly radioactive water has leaked in one of the reactors. Wayne looks at growing international unease in… Audio

This week Wayne takes some characteristically fresh perspectives on the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela, and Finlay follows up with Melbourne-based academic Binoy Kampmark. Audio

Wayne looks at why mass protests are no longer part of our political landscape. Chris follows up with former Auckland University academic, Tony Watkins. Audio

Adolf Hitler, who assumed power early in 1933, passed a law on December 1 of that year safeguarding the unity of the party and the state. Eighty years on, Wayne Brittenden looks at the internationally… Audio

Wayne Brittenden takes a look at an almost forgotten publication for a generation of baby boomers, The Junior Digest. Audio

With the debate over the minimum wage, as opposed to a living wage, gathering pace, Wayne tells us that hundreds of New Zealanders - virtually forgotten employees - receive only a fraction of the… Audio

With the release this week of a children's book extolling the virtues of the real world over social networks - and written by Randi Zuckerberg, the sister of Facebook's founder - Wayne takes a look at… Audio

Wayne looks at growing demands for new restraints on the US National Security Agency operations and Chris follows up with acclaimed German writer Ilija Trojanow, a formidable critic of the NSA. Please… Audio

Five years ago this month the global financial decline kicked in deeply. Wayne looks at the implications of the next meltdown that some punters are predicting, and the potential for serious social… Audio

Are we losing sight of the 'universal' aspect of university? Audio

The ancient belief that there's a causal connection between heavenly bodies and human happenings seems to be enjoying heightened interest on the internet and elsewhere. Wayne takes an unstarry-eyed… Audio

A new World Health Organisation report into alleged high Iraqi incidences of cancer, caused by radioactivity from depleted uranium shells used in the most recent Gulf War, finds no cause for alarm… Audio

Wayne discusses the implications of the Russian initiative to get Syria to agree to surrender its chemical weapon stockpile. He also takes a critical look at mainstream media coverage of the Syrian… Audio

With the US poised to lead an attack on Syria, Wayne takes a critical look at the crisis, and the non-military options. Richard follows up with Andrew Levine, US author and former professor of… Audio