RNZ: Sunday Morning

Professor Tim Bale holds the Chair in Politics at Queen Mary University of London and was formerly a lecturer at Victoria University. His books include 'The Conservative Party From Thatcher' to 'Cameron and The Conservatives Since 1945'. He talks to Chris about the premiership of Margaret Thatcher, what she left behind, and responses to her passing.

The government's planned partnership schools, publicly-funded private schools inspired by the charter schools that run in many US states, have attracted supporters and critics.

With Southland's Tiwai Point aluminium smelter facing an uncertain future, delcate negotiations are taking place between the National Government, Meridian Energy and Rio Tinto.

Pope Francis’ Easter denunciation of uncaring capitalism – a theme also taken up by his predecessor – reflects historic cultural differences between Catholic and Protestant attitudes towards work and money. Wayne looks at this fascinating but little-discussed aspect of religion, and Chris follows up with Auckland University’s Professor of Social Anthropology, Cris Shore.

Sir Stephen Tindall, along with wife Lady Margaret, founded one of the country's biggest family foundations. The Tindall Foundation has given away $107 million in the last 17 years. He talks to Chris about philanthropy as a catalyst for social change, and urges caution. Sir Stephen is giving the opening address at the Philanthropy New Zealand conference in Wellington next week.

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. Today, it's a game of bluff and double bluff in Bluff. With the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter facing an uncertain future, delicate negotiations are taking place between the government and Rio Tinto.

New Zealand has one of the highest imprisonment rates in the developed world and more than half of those released from our prisons find themselves back behind bars within five years. Ideas takes a look at imprisonment and rehabilitation, and asks what works and what doesn't. Chris Laidlaw talks to Anne Opie the author of 'From Outlaw to Citizen: Making the transition from Prison in New Zealand'; and Eugene Ryder, a community advocate and Black Power member, reflects on what convinced him to change his lifestyle to ensure he never sees the inside of a prison again. Produced by Jeremy Rose.

Tony Wheeler is the co-founder, with wife Maureen Wheeler, of the Lonely Planet guidebook company. The couple has also established PlanetWheeler which is based in Melbourne and funds more than 50 projects in developing countries.

Brainfades and knuckleheads - the PM and media trade barbs; coverage of Iraq 10 years on - and Afghanistan; a global news service reporting news under the western world's radar; the Broadcasting Minister's rough ride on the radio; a startling slot on a new youth TV show.

The New Zealand public sector has long enjoyed a reputation as one of the least corrupt in the world. Suzanne Snively, from anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International NZ, talks to Chris about the 100th anniversary of this country's Public Service Act and its importance to our democracy and how it affects the lives of all New Zealanders.

Chris Bramwell travels to Latin America to explore the potential for trade

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.

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.

The public service continues to suffer cutbacks and this time it's the Department of Conservation. How can staff cutbacks be managed without compromising the care of our environment?

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.