Sunday Morning for Sunday 28 May 2023

8:10 Josh Gerstein: DeSantis and the race for Republican hearts 

The Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis has launched his bid to be the next US president. 

What makes this move big news is of course his rivalry with Donald Trump for the hearts and votes of conservative Americans. 

We discuss his prospects with POLITICO'S Josh Gerstein. 

8:20 Kennedy Warne: Exploring humanity's relationship with the sea 

Kennedy Warne, the founding editor of New Zealand Geographic connects his lifelong exploration of the underwater world with a global story of humanity’s relationship with the sea in his new book Soundings 

9:10 Mediawatch  

This week Mediawatch asks a journalist investigating the Grenfell Tower disaster in the UK six years ago how the media here could cover the Loafers Lodge tragedy here last week - and the concerns about safety and housing that it has raised.  

The team also looks at the first new current affairs show for years to launch on prime time TV - and talks to the host Patrick Gower.   

9:35 Calling Home: Ian Hickling in Barbados 

Ian Hickling is calling home this morning from the famed resort island of Barbados, off the north-east coast of South America, our in the Caribbean Sea about 1000 kilometres from the coast of Venezuela. Those of who've not been to Barbados may think it's tiny, but in fact it's the size of greater Wellington if you add in the Hutt Valley and Porirua. 

Barbados is an independent British Commonwealth nation. Bridgetown, the capital, sees a lot of cruise ships, and tourists enjoy the brilliant beaches, and quite a lot besides. 

10:10 Melody Thomas:The Good Sex Podcast 

A new podcast aims to break down taboos around sex and relationships.  

 The Good Sex Project launches today, and host Melody Thomas joins us. 

Many of you will know melody as the creator of the RNZ sex and sexuality podcast BANG!, she's produced and presented for RNZ, and these days can be found alongside another one-time RNZ face, Kirsten Johnston at Popsock Media. 

10:30 Scott Walker & Sir Richard Taylor: The creatures in The Tank 

Horror movies with monsters or aliens in them used to be called 'creature features'. It’s where the likes of Sir Peter Jackson cut their teeth. 

The trailer for our latest homegrown creature feature, The Tank racked up more than a million views in its first week of release in the U.S. 

 It marks a return to NZ and to directing here by Scott Walker, with the sizeable assistance of Sir Richard Taylor, who led the team at WETA studios.  

Scott and Richard tell us all about it. 

11:10 Faivaeselopepe Anric Sitanilei: Celebrating Samoan malofie in new documentary  

In Tautua: Inked in Service, RNZ Social Media Journalist Faivaeselopepe Anric Sitanilei undergoes the transformative process of receiving the traditional Samoan malofie, also known as the tatau.  

A celebration of heritage, tradition, and dedication to family and community, the documentary unveils the evolving role of the tatau in a changing world, and its testament to Samoan heart and spirit.  

11:30 Ashley Ward: Making sense of our senses 

How we see the world is not just what we see, or hear, or smell. 

Dr Ashley Ward is Professor of Animal Behaviour at the University of Sydney. He has studied creatures great and small on travels that have ranged from the Serengeti plains in Africa to the Antarctic Ocean. 

Ashley's new book is called SENSATIONAL - a new story of our senses. 

11:50 Clementine Valentine: My Latest Track 

Marking the last Sunday Morning of NZ Music Month 2023, art-pop duo Clementine Valentine join us to introduce their new single 'Endless Night'