RNZ: Sunday Morning

For the past 30 years Ron Nilsson has been trying to get conclusive scientific existence that the South Island kokako - a bird officially listed as extinct in 2007 - is alive.

Unhappy with a government's release of info? Need to blow the whistle on corruption? Take your grievances to the Ombudsman - New Zealand's independent government watchdog.

Chef Al Brown from The Depot talks about the loss to the culinary world of celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain.

Parliament's newest MP Dan Bidois discusses the win and the issues his new electorate faces.

Gia Garrick discusses the by-election in Jonathan Coleman's vacated seat of Northcote, retained yesterday for National by Dan Bidois.

Each sitting day in the House MPs work their way through business which is set out on the order paper. Here's what they plan to get through this week.

It’s been 45 years since the Rocky Horror Show opened in London – and creator Richard O’Brien is amazed the “bit of fun in the theatre” keeps selling out.

This week distinguished New Zealand visual artist Billy Apple was honoured with the NZ Arts Foundation's highest honour, the Icon Award. Billy Apple is regarded as this country's most significant conceptual pop artist.

Wallace Chapman reads listeners' feedback from this morning's show.

The new historical drama Chappaquiddick about former US Senator Ted Kennedy and events in July 1969 is dividing opinion in the US. The film's director John Curran wants to open people's eyes and minds as to what actually happened 50 years ago to an aspiring US president.

New Zealand's population is growing quickly but some economists and environmentalists say population growth comes at a cost. Dr Suzi Kerr from Victoria University and Professor Paul Spoonley from Massey University discuss the economic and environmental impact of population growth, and ask how many children should we have to protect the environment and grow the economy.

Economist Michael Reddell says NZ should put its weight behind its own people, not look towards "some sort of cargo cult mentality that believes that our salvation lies in a better class of people coming from overseas".  And New Zealand's productivity growth - or lack of it - needs to be addressed before we can tackle the issue of children in poverty. 

Fear and clothing; apps fill gaps in local news; unusual award winner; you can't be serious - satire, parody and copyright.

Historian David Christian's work incorporates a history of everything - from the big bang to the first stars, to fossil fuels and mass globalisation. He started a movement called Big History that asks how did we get from The Big Bang to today's staggering complexity of human life; Bill Gates is a fan. David Christian's latest book is called Origin Story - a Big History of Everything. He is speaking at the Auckland Writers Festival.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's partner, Clarke Gayford will be the primary caregiver of their first child. But what is known about stay-at-home fathers? And what's stopping more men from stepping into the role?