The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

School's back tomorrow, albeit in front of a screen in Auckland, Northland and parts of the Waikato. One school principal says studying from home is not the end of the world for kids and there are some lessons to be learned for the future. Albany Senior High School principal Claire Amos says we should finally close the digital divide, ditch exams as national events and keep learning flexible post-...

Michael McIntyre is a superstar of standup comedy and TV. He's one of the most successful and loved comedians in the world. He's broken ticket sale records, hosted two hit TV shows - one of which won him a BAFTA, he's got a Netflix special and now a new book. A Funny Life. (Photo / Supplied) Michael's second autobiography A Funny Life takes us from his big break at the 2006 Royal Variety Show and...

Hazel's Sticky Pork Ribs 1 whole pork rib rack approx 1.5kg 1 whole bulb garlic 1 knob ginger 10 star anise 6 tbsp soy sauce 6 tbsp hoisin sauce 6 tbsp black or malt vinager 2 tbsp brown sugar Remove the pork rack from the bag and rinse quickly under some cold water. Pat dry and cut the rack in half down between the 7 and 8 rib bone.  Take a large piece of tin foil and double it up, then lay down...

People turned out in masses to get vaccinated for Super Saturday. 129,995 vaccines were given as of 10 pm last night. The vaccination rate nationwide is now at 85 per cent and 89 per cent in Auckland. Health Minister Andrew Little told Francesca Rudkin there were roughly 39,000 first jabs yesterday. "Once we get the first jab and you're on the record, then we can chase you up and follow you up for...

GPs are bracing themselves for a surge of Covid-patients. The Government's unveiled a plan, which would see those infected isolating at home instead of in quarantine. Health Minister Andrew Little says patients would be monitored by GPs and nurses, and the plan would be rolled out when vaccination rates are higher. The Royal New Zealand College of GPs President, Samantha Murton told Francesca Rudk...

So we all know vaccination is the key to moving forward, to saving summer, to transitioning to living with Covid, but it has sort of started to feel like we’re a bit stalled, hadn’t it? So when Super Shot Saturday was announced, I was like "OK?", and when the vaxathon was announced, I have to admit, I thought it sounded a bit maff. How's that gonna work? was what was going through my head. But you...

As we head into summer, people are looking to plant edibles in pots as an alternative to growing in the garden, especially those that don't have enough space or are renting. Editor of NZ Gardener magazine Jo McCarroll joined Francesca Rudkin to discuss tips and tricks for growing edibles. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In one week, there have been positive Covid cases in the Waikato, Northland and now Bay of Plenty. University of Otago's Michael Baker wrote a blog on what the country needs to do to stop more cases from getting out, from tightening the Auckland border. But with more people in Auckland getting double vaccinated, they need Auckland to be reopened for livelihoods, business and mental health. Whilst...

Even as a little girl, Desiree Reid-Whitaker has always dreamed big.  It was 10 years ago, those dreams sent Desiree from her South Canterbury dairy farm around the world, researching and learning the craft of making great whiskies and spirits.  On returning to New Zealand, Desiree sold the dairy farm and set about making her dream a reality.  Her story is brave, bold and inspirational. A local st...

New Zealand is getting left behind for the 2022/2023 inbound international travel itineraries due to a lack of a plan. Tourism Export Council wrote to the Government to communicate a plan by November 1. Travel blogger Megan Singleton also discussed her cancelled trip to Northland. She joined Francesca Rudkin to discuss her 11th anniversary and how she’d planned to celebrate. Also, the winner of Fa...

Getting healthy does not necessarily mean going on a diet and starving yourself.   Research shows that when you heavily restrict yourself on a diet you are more likely to regain the weight plus more. If you have gained weight over the winter months or the lockdowns then now is the perfect time to get healthy for summer with the longer days and warmer weather.  Lockdowns can either have a negative...

Bee’s Tart with Onion Jam  1 packet of savory short pastry  4 eggs  2 cups cream  2 cups tasty cheese, grated – smoked cheese would be amazing!  2 handfuls of spinach, chopped  Salt and cracked pepper  Flour for dusting  Cooking spray    Onion Jam  4 red onions, sliced lengthways  ½ cup balsamic vinegar  3 tablespoons brown sugar  Pinch of salt    Preheat oven to 200 degrees  Take a rolling pin an...

Some incredible science news this week with the world's first malaria vaccine approved for use on children in Africa. It's the first vaccine ever developed against a parasitic human disease.  The RTS,S vaccine, also known as Mosquirix, has been administered to more than 800,000 children in a pilot in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi since 2019.  It's not perfect and in efficacy results from a 4-year trial...

Will Smith has confessed the worst movie he made. Speaking with GQ, Smith rates his best films as the first Men In Black film and The Pursuit of Happyness, whist he describes Wild Wild West as a thorn in his side, which he turned down a role in The Matrix for. The Aotearoa music industry has got together to encourage Covid-19 vaccinations with its #VaxForLife campaign. The campaign launched on Fri...

Robin Sharma has devoted his life to helping people reach their true potential.  He’s a world-renowned leadership expert, working alongside some of the most successful people - rockstars, royalty, billionaires and many celebrity CEOs – the likes of NASA, Nike and Microsoft.  He’s also a best-selling author with self-help books that have sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, making him one of...

All around the globe this week space enthusiasts have been celebrating World Space Week.   This year's theme was Women in Space and as part of this, a new group, Women in Space Aotearoa New Zealand has been formed. One of the core organisers of this network is space scientist and entrepreneur Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom. Emeline is the co-founder of International Space Consultants and SpaceBase, and ha...

As Northland moved into Level 3 at midnight on Friday I thought the Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai summed up the feeling of the north well when she said “I’m just really ropeable.” I’ve been impressed with how tolerant we’ve been when Covid cases have popped up in the community. We’ve seen people be compliant and helpful, using the tools on offer and taking responsibility.  The majority of people don’...

Last night it was reported there is a positive case of Covid-19 in Bay of Plenty.  This follows positive cases in Palmerston North, Waikato and Northland this week.  Yesterday the public health team at Otago University released a blog detailing what we need to do to protect the rest of the country from Covid spread.  Professor Michael Baker told Francesca Rudkin we should think much harder about s...

As we head into summer, it's time to start growing herbs to spice up your summer meals to stop the need for buying some at the supermarkets. Editor of NZ Gardener magazine Jo McCarroll joins Francesca Rudkin to discuss the process of growing herbs for the summer. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Auckland heads into its eighth week of lockdown, the frustrations are starting to seep in for the city. Aucklanders are becoming less compliant with lockdown restrictions, especially with yesterday’s protest in the Auckland Domain, led by Brian Tamaki. Meanwhile, school holidays have started this week. And there are questions over how to keep kids entertained and parents sane, particularly in A...

Fat Bear Week is an annual competition in Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska where you vote for the fattest bear. Travel blogger Megan Singleton has been reading up on the competition which started in 2014. She joined Francesca Rudkin to explain the reasons behind this yearly tradition in Alaska. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re coming to the end of Mental Health Awareness Week, and this week we have been encouraged to be kind to ourselves and each other, especially reaching out to those struggling in lockdown. The physical toll of Covid-19 is very visible, the mental health ramifications are often overlooked and not prioritised. As businesses are closed, kids are home and schools are virtual, and lockdowns are exte...

Chermoula  2 shallots or 1 onion, peeled and diced   8 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed   1 small knob ginger, peeled   2 tbsp curry powder   1 tbsp ground cumin   1 tsp paprika   1 cup fresh coriander leaves   1 cup parsley leaves   1/2 cup mint leaves   juice of 1 lemon   2 tbsp olive oil   1 tbsp flaky salt  Either smash all the ingredients of the chermoula together to combine or place all the...

New music from national treasure Don McGlashan, this is ‘Now’s the Place’ off his upcoming album Bright November Morning.  The album is Don’s fourth solo album and his first since Lucky Stars in 2015.  Don McGlashan is back in the country from his second home in Vancouver. He joined Francesca Rudkin from MIQ. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The question of when the best years of our lives are was posed to over 17 thousand individuals from 13 countries born between 1928 and 1958 and published in the journal Social Indicators Research this week.  While there was a broad range of answers, a very distinct period where there was a peak was between the ages 30-34.  This time period includes the start of cohabitation with a partner as well...