The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

The Whalebone Theatre by Joanna Quinn: An epic, absorbing novel which follows three free spirited children from an unconventional, dysfunctional family estate in Dorset in the years leading up to and during WW2. It’s a multi-layered story about the power of drama, of the bonds between siblings and the disparity of class; war work, espionage and making a life, and the compromises made on the way. I...

Megan Singleton, bloggeratlarge.co.nz, joined Francesca Rudkin to update her on her trip to Aitutaki Island. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do you make of the US Supreme Court’s decision on Roe v Wade?  The International Olympic Committee has had to defend its position that it’s up to each individual sports body to set their own rules for transgender athletes’ inclusion. Do you think transgender categories will become the way forward?  Newstalk ZB Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills and Coast Day Host Lorna Subrtizky joined Franc...

Kiwi chef and former My Kitchen Rules judge Ben Bayly is passionate about New Zealand food – the local growers, suppliers, orchards, markets and artisan suppliers.   So much so he’s back for a second season of A New Zealand Food Story. The show sees Ben travel the country, visiting the best foodie destinations to get new ideas for his menu.   Season 2 of A New Zealand Food Story is on TVNZ+ now. ...

Today Erin and Francesca discussed preventive medicine and being proactive with your health.  Erin is the co-founder, director, naturopath and yoga teacher at Golden Yogi. She holds a bachelor of science (physiology) and a bachelor of natural medicine.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike’s website – goodfromscratch.co.nz  I hope we are all enjoying our first Matariki Long weekend!  Finally! After almost 12 months of delays, I'm super stoked to say Eat Well for Less is coming back on our screens this coming Tuesday. Feeling like the timing is right for this show.  I'm always humbled to be allowed into people's homes like the ones we have visited this season and I can tell you...

Many of us might use this long weekend to hit the malls and do a bit of shopping, but you might want to think about what you drink before you go!  A new study out this week in the Journal of Marketing found that shoppers that drank just one cup of caffeinated coffee right before hitting the shops spent 50% more money and bought 30% more items compared to those that drank a decaf or just water.  Th...

A new Game of Thrones spin-off series has been announced.  Kate Bush’s Stranger Things success continues.  Steve Newall, editor at flicks.co.nz, joined Francesca Rudkin.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rena Owen is an absolute icon.   From her break out role as Beth Heke in Once Were Warriors to a hugely successful Hollywood career – including being the only actress in history to work with legendary directors George Lucas and Steven Spielberg – that’s no mean feat!   Rena’s latest role is playing activist and community leader, Mother of the Nation, Dame Whina Cooper in the new film Whina.  Rena...

A new way of farming is coming that claims to provide fresher, cheaper and even eco-friendlier produce … and get this, it’s grown vertically.   The new technology is from American company Plenty but their CEO is New Zealander, Arama Kukutai.  Arama Kukutai joined Francesca Rudkin.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Political commentator Matthew Hooten said that Chris Hipkins's apology to Charlotte Bellis rings hollow.  Chris Hipkins is kicking into gear as Police Minister – what can we expect?   What's on the agenda for the PM's trip to Europe?    Newstalk ZB’s chief political reporter Jason Walls joined Francesca Rudkin.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The shock and fallout continues across America and the world following the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v Wade, the Bill which protects American women's abortion rights.   Shortly we will speak to nurse Ashli Hunt who works in an abortion clinic in Arkansas. Her clinic has already been closed. Ashli will join me to talk about the personal impact of this decision.   TVNZ US Correspon...

Yesterday afternoon I walked up Onehunga Mall on my way to a walk around Cornwall Park, and was startled to see a sign up on the Onehunga Fire Station doors announcing they were: Closed Today. No Staff.   I’ve been strolling, running, and driving past this Fire Station for 15 years, and I’ve never seen this before. Normally you get a friendly wave. Yesterday, the doors to the station were covered...

Horse by Geraldine Brooks (the wonderful Geraldine Brooks!) A wonderful mix of history and fiction, art and science, based on the true story of the famous 19th century Kentucky racehorse Lexington and the social milieu in which he came to fame amidst slavery, injustice, and an obsession with horses. A painting of him unites a young couple in 2019 – Jess who studies the skeleton to understand the c...

Megan Singleton joined Francesca Rudkin to shine a light on what you need to complete before you can take that long-awaited holiday to Rarotonga. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hearing of long waiting times in our hospitals ED’s – sometimes with terrible consequences.   GPs are also struggling. We don’t have enough GPs – people are waiting weeks, often over a month to see a GP – and yet universities are saying they can take more medical students.   Can you see any logic in the caps on the numbers of medical students Universities can take?  What do you want Matariki to be...

What's in a name? It turns out A LOT if your name is James Bond.   Ian Fleming’s famous character turns 60 this year, and for all of those 60 years, James Bonds around the world have been dealing with the consequences of sharing a name with 007.   These real-life, ordinary James Bonds are the subject of a new documentary called The Other Fellow.   Joining Francesca now in the studio is the film's...

Does Instagram have an effect on our food choice and habits?  Erin O’Hara is the co-founder, director, naturopath and yoga teacher at Golden Yogi. She holds a bachelor of science (physiology) and a bachelor of natural medicine.  Erin joined Francesca Rudkin.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We harvested over 200kg of Lemons from our orchard on Monday and they are the most beautiful lemons we have ever had. So, we are super stoked. The image is them on the back of the Hilux.  Now we have to use them! Looking at the supermarket they are well priced so it's time to get creative in the kitchen with them.  Lemon Stuffed Sunday Roast Chook  Cook time: 45 minutes  Prep time: 20 minutes  Ser...

Would you let a company pay you $2k to release 100 cockroaches into your home to live with you for 30 days all in the name of science?  Last week a company in North Carolina called the Pest Informer put out that exact request with the advert: https://www.thepestinformer.com/get-paid-to-live-with-cockroaches /  Participants must grant the company permission to release roughly 100 American cockroach...

Local biopic Whina – about cherished Māori activist Dame Whina Cooper.  TVNZ On Demand is now TVNZ+ – what does that mean for viewers?  Steve Newall, editor at flicks.co.nz, joined Francesca Rudkin.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carry On, the beautiful sound of Kiwi indie-folk artist Mel Parsons.  This week Mel announced a new album is on the way, her fifth studio album, Slow Burn to be released in September.  And then she’s hitting the road with a nationwide tour.  Mel joined Francesca Rudkin to talk all about it and perform her latest single.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, the share market isn’t a pretty sight at the moment, is it?  Are you checking on your Kiwisaver or your Sharesies a little more than you used to? Or just turning a blind eye?  With advice on how to deal with these uncertain times, Business Desk Investments Editor and host of the Cooking the Books podcast, Frances Cook joined Francesca Rudkin.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...

National’s Sam Uffindel has won the seat of Tauranga.  What did you think about the PM reshuffle this week – and what could it be signalling for the PM next reshuffle?   There was a lot of outrage this week that Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard was gifted a sweet, diplomatic post on his retirement from parliament.  NZ Herald political editor Claire Trevitt joined Francesca Rudkin.  LISTEN ABOVE...

I’m a Blues rugby supporter.   It’s been a long and winding road supporting this team, and I haven’t always been the best supporter. Some years the Blues have failed to grab my attention, and other years my attention has drifted elsewhere – I’ve surprised myself by becoming a bit of an NRL fan now too.   But I will always be a Blues supporter at heart.   I’ve never been tempted to support a team o...