Professor Sung-Yoon Lee of Tafts University joined Chris Lynch this morning to discuss the rapid escalation of tension at the 38th Parallel after North Korea tried to test a ballistic missile. 

LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW ABOVE

MORE: North Korea's failed missile launch fuels fear of war

The public's enthusiasm for shopping on Easter Sunday has encouraged the retail sector's lobby group to push for further change.

Local councils now have the power to decide if shops in their areas can open on the holiday.

Shops in the regional tourist towns reported brisk business yesterday, as many opened legally for the first time on an Easter Sunday.

Retail New Zealand's Greg Harford told Chris Lynch this morning it shows councils in the big centres need to get on with it.

"Our hope is that over the next twelve months, before Easter twenty-eighteen, other councils will be looking at what's happened, realising that actually there's value there for those businesses who wish to be able to open their doors," Harford said.

The Christchurch Poultry, Bantam and Pigeon Club is the oldest group of its kind in New Zealand. Its members are now the focus of a documentary called Pecking Order, which follows their internal divisions ahead of the national competition - a kind of Best in Show for chickens.

The film's director Slavko Martinov joined Chris Lynch this morning to chat about his work. 

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It appears woes over parking in Christchurch's CBD are affecting the Minister in charge of overseeing the city's regeneration.

Greater Christchurch Regeneration Minister Gerry Brownlee is ringing his hands over the transport plan currently on the table.

He told Newstalk ZB's Chris Lynch the local authority 'has its blinkers on' when it comes to parking.

"You can't take out a number of carparks that this plan takes out and expect that you're going to have a dynamic inner city. It's just ridiculous."

Brownlee said under the current transport plan, the CBD will be killed off before it's even been brought back to life.

And he went even further.

"The money the Government has made available for this implementation of the plan, which was really the reorganisation of broken streets, it's going to stop if they don't change the plan."

The plan is being discussed in Christchurch today.

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Massey University Senior Lecturer in Ecology Dr Mike Joy talks with Chris Lynch about the latest report from the Prime Ministers own science adviser saying our water quality is in trouble

Otago University International Relation expert Dr Robert Patman talks with Chris Lynch about the U.S missile strike on Syria and the ramifications

Mental Health Foundation CEO Shaun Robinson talks to Chris Lynch about decrimination from police who refuse new recruits who take anti-depressants to manage an illness

Christchurch City Council General Manager Services David Adamson talks with Chris Lynch about the Accessible City plan, and when we all can expect new parks

Stand-up comedian, math communicator, and media personality Matt Parker discusses the hugly successful Cosmic Shambles Live, which is coming to Christchurch's Isaac Theater Royal on April the 10th.

New Zealand Nurses Organisation Organizer Christin Watson talks to Chris Lynch about an early morning attack against a Christchurch nurse, and the prolonged battle to have safe and accessible parking for their members.