RNZ: Sunday Morning

The idea that the environment has an impact on our physical health is indisputable - but what impact is environmental degradation having on our mental health? Can psychology offer insights into how to improve our environment? Ideas talks to Thomas Doherty, editor of the Ecopsychology journal; University of Auckland associate professor of psychology Niki Harre; and Victoria University senior lecturer in psychology Taciano Milfont.

Analyst and Latin American politics scholar Paul Buchanan talks to Chris Laidlaw about the situation in Venezuela following the death of Hugo Chavez, and what the former leader's legacy is likely to be.

Startling reports of deaths in the news  - and the actual risks we face; a new business turns food freebies into free publicity; yet more marmite media madness; investigative reporting in the US - and some pointers for NZ; a mysterious new TV sports channel.

The Government's planned overhaul of the Family Courts would encourage more families to be involved in dispute resolution before a case reaches the courts. Deborah Hart from the Arbitrators and Mediators' Association talks to Chris Laidlaw about the benefits and challenges of such a change.

Philippa Tolley investigates the scale of migrant labour exploitation in New Zealand amid calls for tougher penalties for employers.

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 unfettered market forces haven’t reduced the vast number of those living in dire poverty. Wayne looks at today’s neo-liberal consumerist India, and Chris follows up with Dharmendra Kumar, the Director of the Indian Campaign Group, Foreign Direct Investment Watch.

Bastard Insurance is doing all it can to avoid paying out on claims. After all, insurance is a business not some kind of safety net or welfare scheme! It's about the investors and shareholders.

Professor John Berry is an eminent cross-cultural psychologist from Queens University in Canada. His main research interests are in the areas of acculturation (changes arising from intercultural contact) and cross-cultural relations. He focuses on applying his research findings to immigration, educational and health policy areas.

In the second part of our look at the case for higher density housing, Ideas talks to Jane Quigley one of the people behind the Viva Housing project that has just been shortlisted in Christchurch's Breathe - Urban Village Competition; Jukka Noponen a Finnish planner behind an energy-efficient housing project; Brady Nixon who is developing Auckland’s Vinegar Lane project; and the Auckland Council’s urban design specialist Ludo Campbell-Reid.

The BNZ and its CEO Andrew Thorburn are among five global recipients of the UN Women's Empowerment Principles Award, for promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women. Andrew joins Chris and Rae Julian, president of UN Women Aotearoa NZ, about the seven principles, why they are needed in 2013 and how they may change life at work for women - and men.

Is Maori TV trying to monopolise major events?; TV3's new current afffairs show - and Anna Guy's starring role; a fresh push for more local programmes for children.

Dr Ian Gawler is a cancer survivor and a pioneer in 'mind-body' medicine. He is passionate about the need to integrate self-help techniques such as good nutrition, meditation and positive thinking with conventional medical treatments, to reduce the side effects of cancer treatments, make conventional treatments more effective and improve the quality of life of people affected by cancer.

Otago reporter, Ian Telfer, considers the state of NZ manufacturing.

What the listeners have to say on today's programme.

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 almost forgotten. Wayne looks at little-reported but very encouraging steps towards three-day weekends. Chris follows up with the man largely responsible for implementing such a scheme in the State of Utah - Associate Professor Rex Facer, and discusses its potential for New Zealand with Lincoln University's Economics Professor Paul Dalziel.