In 'Breath of the Birds' Dame Gillian Whitehead discusses the origin of taonga puoro, their revival, and how she has used traditional Māori musical instruments in her compositions.

The Lilburn Lecture 2019

News & Politics

The top stories and other headlines at midday

RNZ News at 12pm, April 18

Film and TV correspondent James Croot joins Kathryn to talk about Civil War (cinema), which follows a group of journalists through an America at war with itself, in a race to reach the White House. One Question (Sky Open) is a new season of a popular game show with Claudia Winkleman, The Royal Hotel (online rental from April 24) stars Julia Garner as one of two backpackers stuck in a small outback town in Australia and Eileen (online rental from April 24) stars Kiwi Thomasin McKenzie and Anne Hathaway as co-workers in a prison facility where things take a sinister turn. James Croot is Stuff's Stuff to Watch editor.

Screentime: Civil War, One Question, The Royal Hotel, Eileen

Technology commentator Alex Sims joins Kathryn to discuss the issue of the right to repair, which also covers the right to use and maintain goods. As more of what we use comes to rely on software to operate, where are consumers left when things don't work as they should - or stop working completely? She'll look at the example of Tesla requiring owners to use Tesla hitches or be unable to tow, and printers that now require a monthly subscription to work. The Greens have just had a private members bill pulled from the ballot that focuses on the right to repair. Alex looks at what it will and won't cover. Alex Sims is an Associate Professor in the Department of Commercial Law at the University of Auckland Business School and an expert on blockchain technology, copyright law and consumer law.

Tech: Where does software fit in the right to repair movement?

Long term plan consultation is underway and includes $9m for upgrades to the zoo, which the New Plymouth District Council says are required to meet regulation and modern zoo standards. Robin details the rogue billboards appearing locally about road repairs. Trans-Tasman Resources has withdrawn from the Environmental Protection Authority process to get consents for its proposed seabed mining project off the coast of Taranaki. And the release of 40 kiwi into Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki - the former Egmont National Park in the past week, marks a step-change in attempts to re-establish the taonga on Taranaki Maunga. About 110 kiwi are due to be released on Taranaki and Kaitake in the next few months.

Around the motu : Robin Martin in Taranaki

Carole Beu of the Women's Bookshop reviews Amma by Saraid de Silva published by Hachette.

The Lilburn Lecture 2019

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