Laura Caygill reviews The Confidence Woman by Sophie Quick published by Allen & Unwin

When Pulitzer Prize winning Australian author Geraldine Brooks' husband Tony Horwitz died suddenly - she had no time to grieve - between supporting their two sons, organising the funeral, dealing with cancelled insurance and frozen credit cards.

Australia correspondent Chris Niesche joins Kathryn to look at the looming federal election date of May 3 - with the latest polling, major policy planks and what the parties need to do to win.

An advocate for tougher rules around who works with children is concerned there's no background checks required for charities volunteers.

Kidney Health New Zealand says a simple, $12 test could prevent hundreds of people languishing on waitlists for a kidney donor.

An expert in bank capital says a Parliamentary committee has lost focus on questioning the big banks about excess profits.

Moana Pacifica blow away the Crusaders in Christchurch - but is this the year for the Australian sides? They make up four of the top six teams in Super Rugby Pacific. Marc also discusses NZ Rugby's new broadcast deal after turning down an Anzac test with Australia. The Warriors beat the Wests Tigers while the Black Ferns 7s win in Hong Kong.

Landscape designer and gardener Xanthe White talk about gardening in the community. From places where individuals have a plot to grow their own food alongside others, to shared berms and community restoration projects.

Victoria goes beyond the supermarkets, discussing a BusinessDesk investigation into the major food suppliers in this country and their use of transfer pricing.

Ashburton will have a new mayor after Neil Brown announces he will not be re-running, a user pay system for public bathrooms has been proposed after $30k of vandalism, and Jonathan has updates on council staffing across the region.