The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

Irish actor Ciaran Hinds has spent five decades in the film industry, including distinctive roles in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, There Will Be Blood, Munich and Game of Thrones. His latest project, The Three Urns, will be available for Kiwi audiences too check out soon - as part of the upcoming British and Irish Film Festival.  He says the film follows the story of a man on a missio...

Taika Waititi is well-regarded as one of New Zealand's most successful directors - and he's got a new project in the works. He's known for directing films like Thor: Ragnarok, Jojo Rabbit, Boy, Hunt for the Wilderpeople and What We Do in the Shadows, but the new sci-fi film Klara and the Sun promises to show fans a different experience. He says he didn't feel the need to 'Taika' this project up to...

Adam & Eve by Jeffrey Archer. Sadly, this is his last work of fiction but is a great way to end an extraordinary career. Many readers will recall Kane & Abel which is considered by many to be amongst his finest work - and lovers of that will love this one. It begins on Armistice Day, 1918, when two very different children are born. One is the daughter of an Earl, the other the son of a she...

Travel expert Megan Singleton's on her latest adventure to Hawaii, and she's noticed it's still busy in the off-season. She took a look at the Pearl Harbour memorial ahead of the infamous bombing's 85th anniversary, and experienced a sunset harbour cruise.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Sunday Panel, journalist and editor, Jo McCarroll, and Director at 818, Chris Henry, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Do we know who we're going to vote for yet? Early voting opens next week - are we ready for it? What do we need to see in the coming days?  The Taxpayers' Union recently released a controversial attack ad directed at...

Listen to the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 18 October. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The spring season is well underway, which means there's more pollen in the air. Spring hay fever (allergic rhinitis) affects about 20 percent of New Zealanders, with symptoms typically peaking between September and November. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explained why these conditions are more likely to impact some people, and how they can work around it all. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystud...

Spring risotto with peas, rocket and asparagus  Cook time: 30 minutes  Prep time: 10 minutes  Serves: 6 600ml vegetable stock   1 onion, finely chopped   4 cloves garlic, crushed   1/2 white wine   3 Tbsp sunflower oil   250 gm Arborio rice   100 gm butter   1/2 cup finely grated fresh Parmesan   1 cup fresh peas   1 bunch asparagus &nbsp...

If you've ever spent hours memorising vocabulary and grammar in a new language, only to find yourself completely lost when a native speaker starts talking, your ears might be part of the problem.  New research published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology suggests that people who are better at detecting tiny differences between sounds may have an advantage when learning a new language.&...

There's plenty of new streaming shows for TV fans to get into, and Steve Newall outlined his picks for the week. Small Prophets is a short form comedy series that's been available in the UK for a few months, and it recently made its debut on Apple TV. Crystal Lake is a horror series available on Neon, and it follows the origin story of horror icon Jason Voorhees. Entertainment correspondent Steve...

After months of hype and excitement, Olivia Dean's sold-out concert took place at the new Western Springs Bowl - but it wasn't without some issues. Three songs in, the concert was stalled for 40 minutes following some technical issues.  Newstalk ZB host Andrew Dickens says it was an 'amazing' experience with a huge crowd of fans, ignoring the technical troubles.  "I think the system had...

The Greens say their trades policy will end up providing a boost to the local economy.  If elected, the party will abolish the training wage, and introduce a $2000 equipment grant to help cover tools, uniforms and course materials. Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths says this is in contrast to ACT's plan to reduce the training wage and freeze the minimum wage. LISTEN ABOVE See omn...

A dominant first half has earned the All Blacks a 43-21 victory in the second test against the Wallabies in Sydney. The visitors carried a 36-7 lead into the break as an improved second half from Australia just wasn't enough. Newstalk ZB rugby commentator Elliott Smith says it was a match of 'two halves' and the Australian side could have taken the lead in the right circumstances. LISTEN ABOVE See...

GPs hope a $400-million-dollar political pledge results in more competitive pay packets. The ACT Party is promising the funding boost if elected, which is designed to help practices offer competitive remuneration and retain staff. It's worth about six percent of GPs budgets.   Royal College of General Practitioners President Dr Luke Bradford says it shines a light on the issues they face righ...

It is about now in an election campaign when you start weighing up the benefits of a 4-year term, right?   Attack ads? Tick. Scare tactics? Tick. MPs in a Gang furore? Tick. The release of basic, sensible and unspectacular policies? Tick. Debates in which no one shines? Tick.   It’s hardly been an inspirational election campaign has it. Too many familiar faces with the same unconvincing...

Kiwi comedian, actress and director Alice Snedden has relocated to the UK, and she's got a new project for fans to stream on Neon. Snedden's best known for the BBC show Starstruck, as well as the likes of Funny Girls, Jono and Ben, Educators and Taskmaster NZ. She says she always goes back to creating things she's going to have good time on, and her new show, Break Clause, has a relatable premise....

Psychologist John Aiken is best known for matchmaking and advising the contestants on Married at First Sight - but he's got a new project lined up.  Lessons on Living is a three-part series inspired by the late Nigel Latta, with the original book being released last year on the day he died.   John Aiken explained that he's carrying on the conversation Nigel started, and it's very di...

There's all sorts of new and exciting ideas happening in the world of travel - and even New Zealand-made developments are getting credit. BloggerAtLarge.com writer Megan Singleton explored the benefits and opportunities that come with bigger projects like Etihad Rail and Viking's new hybrid hydrogen powered cruise ship. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

American Hagwon by Min Jin Lee. She wrote the wonderful book Pachinko some years ago and this is another masterpiece. John Koh is a South Korean businessman who’s badly betrayed by his boss and struggles to find another job, in the midst of the 1997 Asian financial crisis. He’s most concerned about the future of his kids, and the family move from Seoul to Sydney and then to Los Angeles looking for...

This week on the Sunday Panel, journalist Simon Wilson and host of The Prosperity Project, Nadine Higgins, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! New data shows over a third of young Kiwis are not enrolled to vote - two weeks ahead of enrolment closing. Are we doing enough to engage young people? How important is it that we get young people enrolled and voting?...

Listen to the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 11 October. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frozen vegetable yellow curry with crispy pork  Cook time: 60 minutes  Prep time: 20 minutes  Serves: 6 400gm Brined pork belly   2 tbsp sunflower oil   2 cups frozen mixed vegetable   2 cups fresh spinach leaves   1 cup of curry paste   2 can coconut cream   1 cup vegetable stock   2 tbsp brown sugar   3 tbsp thai fish sauce   Juice of 2...

The state of the health system is a big talking point in this year's election, but there's debate to be had about preventative steps as well. Despite the well-documented benefits of preventive measures, many people fail to engage in proactive preventive health behaviours - and there's also societal factors that add to declining health, like housing, income, and food systems.   Naturopath...

What if one of the simplest ways to improve your marriage wasn't couples counselling, a romantic holiday or an expensive date night, but something as ordinary as going for a walk together? New research published in the journal  Family Relations suggests that couples who exercise together may communicate better, resolve disagreements more peacefully and experience less conflict in their marria...

The Celebrity Traitors UK is back for another season - where UK stars need to guess each other's motives for a cash prize for the charity of their choosing. The first season was well-received, but what can this new season offer viewers. Entertainment correspondent Steve Newall explained further - and whether this show could be a good distraction during a busy election season. LISTEN ABOVE See omny...