RNZ: Sunday Morning

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 Auckland University academic Tony Watkins and Richard Langston discuss.

Hawai'ian born marine ecologist championing the plight of our oceans' apex predators, the shark.

Government moves to cancel passports of New Zealanders intending to join Syrian freedom fighters is meeting with some criticism.

Zoe Ferguson talks: cricket and the Basin Reserve; Wellington 7s, on field and off; Jesse Ryder, booze culture in sport; Halberg Awards, awkward, and; tennis prize money disparity, the gender divide.

The Schapelle Corby feeding frenzy; RNZ's boss on changes to key programmes, and plans for the future; reporters' plumbing, paving and shower curtains overshadow the Sochi Games, and; efforts to get something for nothing prompt online outpourings.

It's 31-years since Billy Bragg released his first album, 'Life's a Riot - Spy v Spy', and Richard Langston speaks with him (again) prior to his latest New Zealand visit with his new album, 'Tooth and Nail'.

John Gerritsen considers the political spotlight on education and asks if it can do all that's being asked of it?

The online-only companion to Mediawatch devoted to queries and comments from listeners. This month: your views on choppers hovering over David Bain's wedding; The Herald's protest-free Waitangi Day; Auckland-flavoured TV news, a green TV series which raised suspicions; a blogger gone feral; a mean-minded columnist; the pitfalls of picking off-the -peg pictures - and more.

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 characteristic of contemporary politics.

Graeme Jeffries is an alternative New Zealand musician whose career has taken him to New York City, Berlin and even Moscow.

The ACT Party have changed their leadership. Two untried, untested new faces with little or no political experience have taken over. Will it make any difference to ACT's zero polling?

The Catalans are set to vote in November on their independence from Spain.

The Falkland Islands are determined to remain under British sovereignty. Mike Summers is a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands and was in New Zealand recently.

The question of an independent Scotland is heating up as September's referendum draws near. Richard McGregor is the chair of the Clan Gregor Society.

Janina Kuzma is a member of New Zealand's Winter Olympic team.