The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

Pre-pandemic, flight booking sites were all the rage, seen as a quick and easy way to find the best deal as you prepared for your next holiday. However, one Kiwi couple who booked thousands of dollars in flights from Kiwi.com that didn't take into account border restrictions has seen them lose thousands of dollars. Travel blogger Megan Singleton joined Francesca Rudkin to discuss why travel agents...

The Searcher by Tana French One of my favourite writers is back. Cal is an ex Boston cop who’s having a midlife crisis and buys a rundown place in the Irish countryside to lick his wounds and start again – when a local kid turns up and asks for Cal’s help in finding his missing older brother. Even small towns can have big secrets. All The Young Men by Ruth Coker Burks This is a profoundly moving a...

We all have smells we're fond of that bring back memories - but what about things we aren't able to smell anyone? The first international research project exploring past and present scents has just started in Europe. Using expertise from history, art, computational linguistics and chemistry, a group of researchers known as the Odeuropa consortium will record odours as familiar tobacco and as unusu...

The holidays are fast approaching, with work Christmas parties and family gatherings on the agenda for many of us over the next few weeks. But that doesn't mean it will be smooth sailing for everyone, with the packed social calendar and present buying a cause of anxiety and stress for many. Wellbeing expert Erin O'Hara joined Francesca Rudkin to discuss what you can do to get through the season st...

CITRUS BRINED TURKEY 1 whole turkey 4 bayleaves 3 lemons, crushed 2 oranges, crushed 20 peppercorns 10 star anise pods 5 cups water 1 cup Kosher salt (3/4 cup uniodised salt can be used if kosher is unavailable) 2 tbsb grapeseed oil Firstly clear some room in your fridge to fit a large pot or container. Make up the brine by combining 1/2 the water to the salt into a pot and gently heat until the s...

On Monday, WorkSafe New Zealand filed charges against 13 parties in relation to the Whakaari/White Island eruption on December 9th last year, which tragically killed 22 people, and left 25 others with severe life altering injuries. According to WorkSafe NZ, the charges conclude the most extensive and complex investigation they‘ve ever undertaken. The investigation took a look at all organisations...

In the most seismic shift by a Hollywood studio yet during the pandemic, Warner Bros. Pictures on Thursday announced that all of its 2021 film slate — including a new "Matrix" movie, "Godzilla vs. Kong" and the Lin-Manuel Miranda adaptation "In the Heights" — will stream on HBO Max at the same time the films play in theaters. Among the myriad release plan changes wrought by the pandemic, no studio...

Philippa Gregory is one of the world’s foremost and most prolific historical authors. Gregory released her first book Wideacre in 1987 while she was completing her PhD in 18th-century history, and it became an instant worldwide bestseller.  She has gone on to write numerous bestselling novels, many which have been adapted for either film or TV – most famously the film adaption of The Other Boleyn...

With the Government this week calling for action, declaring a Climate Change emergency, one New Zealand company is already ahead of the game. The company is COGO and they have an app that can help us all with the daunting task of living more sustainably. The app allows you to improve your carbon footprint by connecting with your banking app and tracking your spending habits.  The app's Kiwi founde...

Māori Party co-leader and Waiariki MP Rawiri Waititi says he will be an unapologetic voice for Māori - like a pebble in the shoe of Parliament. Waititi began his maiden speech in Parliament today with a stirring waiata supported by whanau in the public gallery: "You're magic people to me ... I'm proud to be Māori." He said he would be a Māori voice in every piece of legislation to come to the hous...

Worldwide travel will never be the same again. That's the message from the co-founder of Lonely Planet who's contributed to a book on the future of New Zealand tourism. Tony Wheeler, who has contributed to 100% Pure Future: New Zealand Tourism Renewed, told Francesca Rudkin Covid-19 has been a monster change for the travel industry, and when the world opens up again we are likely to look back and...

The 53rd Parliament opened this week, and two key topics were established during the opening debate: climate change and housing. Leader of the House Chris Hipkins revealed that the Government would be moving a motion to declare a climate emergency in New Zealand. The motion, as it turned out, would be moved by Ardern herself next Tuesday. Speaking to reporters on her way to the House this afternoo...

It’s a world invisible to many of us: a world of drugs, organised crime and violent gangs. But it is right here on our doorstep. In fact, a new book releasing this week labels New Zealand as one of the most lucrative illicit drug markets in the world The book is Gangland written by award-winning NZ Herald investigative journalist Jared Savage. He joined Tim Beveridge to discuss what he learnt in h...

Homemade Lamb Kofta w eggplant & cucumber yoghurt 500gm lamb mince 1 med onion, peeled and diced 1/2 cup italian parsley, chopped 6 cloves of garlic, crushed 2 tsp allspice, ground 1 tsp cinnimon, ground 1/2 tsp salt chili flakes if you wish  6 mint leaves, finelly sliced 2 tbsp tomato puree 1 tbsp oil 1 tbsp oil for frying 1 eggplant sliced into 12 1 pkt baby red tomatoes  1/2 cucumber, deseeded...

2020 has been a year full of uncertainty and challenges for many people. However, when it comes to health and wellbeing, thinking positively is as important to your health as anything else you can do. Naturopath and health expert Erin O'Hara joined Tim Beveridge to discuss the importance of positive thinking and how to identify negative thinking. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

No Time Like the Future by Michael J Fox He was diagnosed with Parkinsons at the age of 29 and has gone on to have a remarkable career, and maintains an extraordinary optimism despite the many challenges and setbacks he’s had. He’s written three memoirs before this one, which brings us up to date with the risky spinal surgery in 2018 that forced him to relearn how to walk, as well as a devastating...

The view from space is just out of this world. NASA astronaut Victor Glover, one of the four astronauts aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, posted a video on Twitter of the stunning view from Earth on his first-ever trip to space. "My first video from space! Looking at the Earth through the window of Dragon Resilience," Glover said on Twitter. "The scale of detail and sensory inputs made this a...

Nadia Lim is celebrity chef, healthy eating advocate, TV personality, co-founder of My Food Bag- and now children’s book author. This week, Lim releases her first children’s picture book. It’s called Marvellous Marvin, the true story of the newest member of Nadia’s family, Marvin the chick. Lim joined Tim Beveridge to discuss her latest career shift in an already bursting resume. LISTEN ABOVE See...

A duo of music-based movies are in New Zealand cinemas at the moment.  Six60: Till The Lights Go Out tells the story of New Zealand's biggest band at the moment, tracking their humble beginnings through to their chart success and recording breaking concerts. For fans of a different type of music, David Bryne's American Utopia is also in cinemas, with the beloved musician performing new music and s...

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her political rival, National's Judith Collins, have kicked off the 53rd Parliament with a fiery debate which cumulated in a scrap over housing. Ardern accused National of "leaving us a housing crisis," while telling Collins she refused to be lectured by her when it comes to this issue. Collins, who spoke before Ardern, took aim at what she said was a poor record...

The All Blacks have wrapped up their 2020 season with a comfortable win. New Zealand's beaten Argentina 38--nil in their final Tri Nations match in Newcastle. They led 10-nil at halftime, before second half tries to Ardie Savea, Patrick Tuipulotu and two to Will Jordan. The result and margin of next week's match between Argentina and Australia will determine who wins the competition. Rugby comment...

An international protest against consumerism called "Buy Nothing Day" was observed by some yesterday as a rejection of overconsumption. Held on the same day as Black Friday - the day after Thanksgiving in the US which is known as a "shopping holiday" with cheaper deals on goods - the aim of Buy Nothing Day is to urge people to question the consumerism and consumption promoted by Black Friday and o...

National could learn a lot from John Key this weekend - and that may involve being more like Jacinda Ardern.  The former Prime Minister and National leader spoke to party members at the AGM yesterday in Wellington, saying a victory for National in 2023 is possible/ Sir John says National needs to believe in a New Zealand, that gives people the encouragement and freedom to take risks, and work hard...

Rising Kiwi artist Niko Walters has released his debut album just in time for summer. Escape is out now, with the lead single This is Not my Neighbour being touted as one of the hits of summer. Walters launched onto the New Zealand music scene around a year ago and has already racked up 3 million streams of Spotify and is fast becoming a household name. He’s also the younger brother of one of our...

Coronavirus infections are ravaging South Dakota, where more than half of tests have come back positive for weeks. Yet Gov. Kristi Noem won't require masks or take other measures to curb the spread, including urging families to limit Thanksgiving gatherings. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said he'll attend a college football game over the weekend and spend the holiday with his parents, noting that, "Ok...