Sunday Morning for Sunday 5 May 2024

8:10 Will bird flu be the next pandemic? 

With most of us hoping to put the COVID pandemic in the rear-view mirror, should we actually be preparing for the next one? New Zealander Dr Richard Webby is a prominent infectious diseases researcher at St Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. 

8:30 The Sunday Morning Quiz with Jack Waley-Cohen 

Quiz master Jack Waley-Cohen is back for another Sunday Morning quiz.  

Jack is the mind behind the questions on BBC quiz show ‘Only Connect’ which is known for being both difficult to crack and totally obvious.  

It’s Sunday morning, so wake up your brain and have a go!    

8:35 Are you more suited to being single? 

Why are some long-term single people secure and thriving while others struggle? 

A new study suggests attachment style could be a major factor. 

We’re joined by Geoff MacDonald, PhD, one of the study’s authors and a professor of psychology at the University of Toronto. 

9:10 Mediawatch 

Mediawatch this week looks at a TV political poll that prompted some to say the new government has fallen out of favour already - while others called it “fruitcake business.”  

Mediawatch also talks to a former editor with proposals to preserve journalism - and a manager at a local paper that closed this week after more than a century in print.  

9:40 Calling Home: Jack Royd-Hall in Estonia 

Originally from Manawatu, Jack Royd-Hall is calling home from Tallin, Estonia. 

10:10 Mark Vette: How much is too much on vet care? 

Animal behaviorist Mark Vette joins us with advice on how to negotiate the practical and emotional aspects of health spending for our animal companions. 

10:25 Mark Hadlow: What your favourite Shakespeare play says about you. 

Mark Hadlow is starring in Mr & Mrs MacBeth of HEATHCOTE VALLEY Road at The Court Theatre from 18 May - 22 June. 

Jim asks Mark if someone’s choice of Shakespeare play gives any clues as to their character. 

10:45 Naomi Arnold: Te Araroa catch-up 

Following on from last week’s chat about the Camino De Santiago, We catch up with journalist and author.  Naomi Arnold who’s walking Te Araroa. We catch up with her in Picton having finished in the South Island before she heads North. 

11:10 Helen Danesh Meyer: The science of blinking 

How blinking can help your sight and why scientists think worsening vision can predict dementia. 

Helen Victoria Danesh-Meyer, CNZ is a New Zealand ophthalmology academic, and a professor at the University of Auckland. 

11:30 The headlines we didn’t read 

Mary Argue is back guiding us through the latest weird and wonderful headlines from the world of science.

11:45 Coronation in the Kingdom of Lochac 

Comprising Australia, New Zealand and their Antarctic territories, the Kingdom of Lochac is a regional branch of the Society for Creative Anachronism. 

They're celebrating their Autumn Coronation this weekend in Christchurch.