Wayne Brittenden

While India is now seen as belonging to the middle economic bracket countries, new Oxford University research reveals what critics within India have known all along – that the last 20 years of… Audio

When it comes to work, the political right has generally championed hard work, while the left calls for more jobs. The old dream of fewer work days, with increased mechanisation and technology, is… Audio

Italians are going to the polls, with a colourful list of candidates that includes disgraced former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. The 76-year-old billionaire and media tycoon is attempting a… Audio

Can character be taught? The UK Parliamentary Committee on Social Mobility is certain that it can be. Its new report proposes that character-building should be part of every school's curriculum… Audio

Today, Japan and China both lay claim to the supposedly oil-rich Sekaku Islands, and tensions are ratcheted up between the two Asian heavyweights. Wayne looks at the background to the dispute and its… Audio

The subject of this week's segment was shaped by The Enlightenment and has been described as the English Voltaire. Audio

Opening in New Zealand this week is the controversial film Zero Dark Thirty the story of the tracking down of Osama Bin Laden. It's been criticised for its disturbing scenes of torture and for making… Audio

The issue of gun control in the United States following the Sandy Hook school shootings. Audio

The politics surrounding the origins of Christmas: Emperor Constantine and the Nicean Council, and a contemporary perspective from the Associate Priest from St Matthew's in the City, Clay Nelson. Audio

The notion of anarchy, socialist-libertarianism as opposed to chaos. Is there a place for it? Can it work? Audio

This week, Counterpoint looks at the gaps in public knowledge of Iran's history, and the political expediency with which that history may have been presented to the West. Audio

New Zealand is to host a new round of talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP). The talks are between the US, New Zealand and nine other countries of the Asia-Pacific Rim. Wayne… Audio

Magazines, newspaper supplements and the broadcast media are a bombardment of gardening information this month. Wayne takes an offbeat political look at what's growing, with the help of two guests… Audio

Wayne Brittenden explores the little known attempt at a fascist coup pre World War II in the United States. Professor of Journalism at the State University of New York, Karl Grossman, puts some flesh… Audio

Wayne Brittenden's Counterpoint this week looks at George McGovern, the US Democratic Party's ultra-liberal presidential candidate. Audio

In the light of Auckland's Heritage Festival, Wayne takes a critical look at the reality of heritage, Auckland style. Chris subsequently speaks with Waitemata and Gulf councillor Mike Lee, and… Audio

This week in his Counterpoint, Wayne Brittenden looks at Orwell's legacy. Audio

Wayne Brittenden counterpoints the notion of heroism. Some of our best known and most celebrated heroes also displayed some most unappealing attributes seldom associated with heroism. Hamish Keith and… Audio

Wayne looks at an extraordinary citizens' case against certain provisions in the US National Defense Authorization Act. A law suit by a group of academics, journalists and activists resulted in a New… Audio