The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

We Solve Murders by Richard Osman - more brilliant, gentle crime from the author who gave us The Thursday Murder Club. He’s taking a break from that series and has started a new one, centred around a family - Amy, who’s a bodyguard, her father in law Steve – a quiet, eccentric homebody ex cop - and his son Adam. There’s a charming wit and interplay between the characters – and a globe-hopping plot...

Over in Hawaii, tourism officials are looking to encourage Kiwi tourists to check out their island community for the summer. Hawaiian Airlines has brought back their direct seasonal service to New Zealand and they're encouraging travellers to support local communities through their latest global campaign. BloggerAtLarge writer Megan Singleton says the new ' The People, The Place, The Hawaiian...

In this week's edition of the Sunday Panel, 818 director Chris Henry and Capital director Ben Thomas joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week - and more! Daylight saving has officially kicked in - how do we feel? Are we excited for the warmer weather? Transport Minister Simeon Brown has unveiled some new changes to speed limits, with all blanket reductions on local streets,...

The winter blues are over for good, daylight saving has officially kicked in and spring is here. People are more likely to feel unmotivated in the winter, so experts consider spring the best time to work in new healthy habits. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explains why drinking water, eating better, and getting more exercise feel easier to do in the warmer weather and longer days. LIS...

Grilled asparagus with haloumi, lemon dressing and almonds   250gm haloumi 2 bunches asparagus 1/2 cup roasted whole almonds 2 tbsp honey Flour for haloumi Extra sunflower oil for frying  Flaky salt Lemon dressing  Juice of 2 lemons 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard 1 cup sunflower oil Salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 Tbsp honey Preheat the oven to 180*C. Smash the almonds roughly into lar...

On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 29 September 2024, winner of Alone Australia , Gina Chick, joins Francesca to discuss surviving 67 days in the Tasmanian wilderness in winter and her new book We Are The Stars. New Zealand-born director Christine Jeffs is back with her first feature film in 16 years - an adaptation of the acclaimed novel A Mistake . Former Ch...

A mysterious white substance found on the heads and necks of 3,600-year-old mummies in north-western China has just been identified as the world’s oldest known cheese. Published in the journal Cell , this discovery offers a rare glimpse into the dietary practices of ancient civilisations.  The mummies were actually unearthed two decades ago in the Tarim Basin desert and thanks to the regions...

1980's hitmakers The Cure seem like they're aiming for a musical comeback. The band recently released  Alone , their first new single in over sixteen years, and they have a new album due out on November 1st.  Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall says this seems to be an era of older acts returning to the music world, as this follows the announcement of next year's Oasis reunion tour. LISTEN...

Kiwi director Christine Jeffs has returned to the film scene after a sixteen-year break with a medical drama that's drawing in interest and acclaim. A Mistake , starring Elizabeth Banks, is based on the highly-regarded 2019 novel of the same name and it explores medical mishaps, ethics and hospital politics.   Christine Jeffs says working with Elizabeth Banks - who recently pivoted to the wor...

Gina Chick is no stranger to survival - and she's proven herself to be pretty tough emotionally. She famously survived alone in the Tasmanian wilderness for 68 days with barely any supplies and no food during the cold winter months. Outside of the competitions, she's had to battle some personal challenges - she's had cancer twice, tragically lost her three-year-old daughter and endured a young lif...

Some believe yesterday's protest in Dunedin was about more than just the Government pushing pause on the city's new hospital. About 35,000 people marched through the city calling on the Government to keep its promise and build it with no cuts. Nurses Organisation President Anne Daniels says there's a general feeling this Government is failing the health system. "The hospital new build just seemed...

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster has made the switch from top cop to head of a new Government initiative. Coster will depart the role early in November - and take over as head of the Government's new Social Investment Agency.  NZ Herald political editor Claire Trevett says Coster tried to muscle along following the change of Government last year - but he didn't quite click with the new Gover...

The curse in the Capital has been lifted, with the All Blacks going on to triumph 33-13 against the Wallabies at Sky Stadium. The five-tries-to-one victory leaves New Zealand with a six-win, three-loss record in Robertson's first year. Newstalk ZB rugby commentator Elliott Smith says it was a 'dominant' performance by the All Blacks - but there's still room for improvement. LISTEN ABOVE See omnyst...

Several road safety experts have voiced concern about the new batch of changes for speed limits. Transport Minister Simeon Brown says all blanket speed limit reductions on local streets, arterial roads, and state highways will be reversed by July next year. He says there'll be reduced variable speed limits outside schools during pick up and drop off times by July 2026. Professor Simon Kingham co-w...

Over the past 9 weeks, the media and many in the country have been fixated on a court case that took place in Auckland. I am, of course, talking about the trial of Philip Polkinghorne, a wealthy, retired eye surgeon with a desire for methamphetamine, sex workers and quirky socks, who was accused of murdering his wife Pauline Hanna. He was found not guilty on Monday.  The court case is over, t...

The Hidden Girl by Lucinda Riley. This was, in fact, her very first book written under another name and never made available here in New Zealand. Her son Harry Whitaker, with whom she had a long standing creative partnership, has edited it and given it a whole new life. It's classic Lucinda Riley and her thousands of fans will be thrilled. It’s an epic multi-generational saga which moves from Euro...

Travellers and companions with time to spare will have opportunity to explore the new shopping mall opening right by Auckland Airport this week. The new $200-million-plus premium outlet centre Mānawa Bay opened on Thursday, with launch celebrations running from September 19-22. BloggerAtLarge writer Megan Singleton says this might seem like an unusual spot to set up a mall - but it gives people st...

This week on the Sunday Panel, Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills and Partner at Freebairn and Hehir lawyers Liam Hehir joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week - and more! This morning on Q&A, Wellington mayor Tory Whanau has said she may not have sold her car just to help pay the bills - contradicting her earlier appearance on Wellington Mornings. What do we make of...

New research shows our modern diets can harm microbes in the gut - sparking concerns about leaky gut syndrome. Symptoms include abdominal pain, food sensitivity, bloating, and constipation. Wellness expert Erin O'Hara unpacks this condition - and unveils solutions to treat the condition. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Sunday, it's time for our annual Ig Nobel Awards celebration - the annual prize ceremony that celebrates research that spurs interest in science.   The whole list of research can be found at  Past Ig Winners (improbable.com) but among Dr Michelle Dickinson's favourites, the winners were:   A team that showed how the hair on your head swirls in a different direction depending on whether you li...

Viewers can visit the world of Matt Reeves' Batman in Neon's new upcoming crime drama. The Penguin is an eight-episode miniseries exploring the journey of Oswald Cobb rising from mafia chauffeur to mob boss in Gotham City. Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall explains whether or not this show is worth a watch in a superhero-saturated landscape. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 22nd September 2024, UK tele host and author Richard Osman talks creating new characters and killing off old ones. Dr Tony Fernando explains how we can chill out and live a calmer life in this chaotic world. Should New Zealand look to four year political terms? Constitutional law expert Graeme Edgeler discusses. Francesca c e...

Most people know how difficult it is to stay calm and collected in a difficult modern world. Dr Tony Fernando is a psychiatrist, a sleep specialist, a lecturer at the University of Auckland and a former ordained Buddhist monk - and he knows a thing or two about managing stress. His new book, Life Hacks from the Buddha - How to be calm and content in a chaotic world , presents 50 ancient wisdom-ins...

Cauliflower Polonaise Cook time: 30 minutes Prep time: 20 minutes Serves- 4-6 1 head cauliflower 2 tbsp sunflower oil 2 tbsp butter 1 cups panko bread breadcrumbs 6 tbsp sunflower oil 3 hard boiled eggs, peeled and chopped 1 lemon 1 cup parsley, chopped 1 cup finely grated parmesan Sea salt and pepper Optional chopped thyme and basil Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to the boil. Break...

Designers and creatives from all over the world have come together for the 34th annual World of Wearable Art competition. This year's event is taking up residence at Wellington's TSB Arena in Te Whanganui-a-Tara - with the final round of judging set to take place on Monday evening. WOW Head of Competition Sarah Nathan says the calibre of entrants this year is extremely high. "I think what you see...