The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

Concerns are being raised around a Cabinet Minister's ability to leave Parliament and become a lobbyist. A new report by the Helen Clark Foundation is calling for tougher rules around political lobbying and donations to improve trust and confidence in political decision-making. Former Attorney-General Chris Finlayson says he believes there should be a stand-down period. "The idea that you finish u...

It's been a week after the Paris Olympics wrapped up, and still the global interest in Aussie break-dancer Raygun continues. A huge amount of energy is going into trolling, bullying, abusing, mocking – call it what you want – the 36 year old Breaker Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn. I don’t understand why people are wasting time and energy on an embarrassing performance by a break dancer at the Olympics. Aus...

17 Years Later by J.P. Pomare - who is of course a New Zealander, although I believe these days he lives in Melbourne. He writes terrific thrillers which are often set here, and this time, a family have been murdered in their beds in Cambridge and their chef convicted and sent to prison. Many years later, the prison psychologist is convinced that he didn’t get a fair trial and an Australian podcas...

Cheaper flights may be closer than travellers think - as Fiji Airways unveils some new routes. The airline has announced a new route to Dallas, on top of their Nadi-San Francisco and Nadi-Los Angeles routes. Bloggeratlarge writer Megan Singleton explains what prospective travellers can expect.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Sunday Panel, editor and journalist Jo McCarroll and partner at Freebairn and Hehir lawyers Liam Hehir joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week - and more!  It was a wonderful night for New Zealand last night - with Hamish Kerr, Lydia Ko and Dame Lisa Carrington adding to New Zealand's Olympic gold medal count. What do we make of this? Can we earn more befo...

On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 11th of August 2024, it's a golden night for the Kiwis in Paris - Francesca talks to gold medallist Lydia Ko and New Zealand Chef de Mission Nigel Avery about our three gold medals on the penultimate day of the games. When ex NZSAS commander Jamie Pennell was awarded the Gallantry Star in 2011, he was only known as Serviceman...

I am so pleased my children are almost through their secondary education. I don’t envy parents of young children heading into the education system now. Education has become so politicised it’s hard for a parent who doesn’t have hands-on experience in education to know whether one party’s evidence-based ideas are good ideas or any better or worse than any other ideas, views and opinions. When the s...

New research has revealed chronic pain and declining mental health are interconnected.  People who suffer from chronic pain are at heighted risk from suffering from mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explains further. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grapefruit Curd   6 Grapefruit   4 medium eggs, lightly beaten   350gm caster sugar   120gm unsalted butter, cubed   Using a microplate, zest the grapefruit and squeeze the juice of all.   Place juice and zest into a heat proof bowl, along with the lightky beaten eggs, then stir in the sugar.   Bring a pot of water to the boil and place the bowl over the top. Whisk whilst cooking out the egg, cont...

How often do you clean your microwave? Chances are, it’s not as often as you clean your countertops. Many of us believe that bacteria can’t survive inside a microwave so don’t clean it as often as our other kitchen surfaces, but new research out this week in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology has some startling findings. Rather than being zapped and killed by the microwaves that heat up your fo...

Eden Park's operators are hoping to get approval to host more concerts at the stadium. The stadium is currently permitted to host six concerts a year - which raised eyebrows as big acts like Taylor Swift, Oliva Rodrigo and Billie Eilish opted to skip New Zealand on their international tours.  Entertainment commentator Chris Schulz says more residents in the surrounding suburbs have voiced support...

Gisborne-based trapper and hunter Sam Gibson is a bushman through and through as he reveals in his new book. In his new book, Sam the Trap Man, Gibson shares stories of exploring the bush and hunting and surviving cold winter nights - and how life in the wilderness steered him out of trouble as a teenager. He says his journey began after he was required to spend more time with his godfather in the...

A highly-decorated former NZSAS commander has opened up about the Kiwi unit's military operations in a new memoir. Serviceman J details Jamie Pennell's recruitment story and training journey - and lifts the lid on the NZSAS's Afghanistan operations, including the deadly Kabul hotel siege. Pennell says the selection process to join the unit was a difficult one - mentally, physically and spiritually...

The two astronauts stuck in space for over two months after problems with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft could have to stay there until 2025. Barry 'Butch' Wilmore and Sunita Williams have been stranded at the International Space Station, after propulsion system issues and helium leaks blew out their one-week mission. NASA is now suggesting they may have to hitch home in February on a SpaceX craft....

The Olympics are drawing to a close, but New Zealand is wrapping up its campaign on a high note. From Lydia Ko completing her medal trifecta for golf, Hamish Kerr winning gold after an intense run in the men's high jump to Dame Lisa Carrington winning her third gold - it's been a record-setting day. New Zealand Chef de Mission Nigel Avery says it's been an amazing Olympiad for New Zealand. "We're...

Lydia Ko has won gold in the women's golf competition at Le Golf National, simultaneously securing entry into the LPGA's Hall of Fame. The Kiwi's fired a one-under par 71 - sinking a birdie on the 18th - to finish at 10-under overall for a two-shot win.  She describes feeling 'emotional' as she sunk her final shot.  "All emotions kinda came on me - it's not just the emotions from the day or the ev...

The Act of Disappearing by Nathan Gower. Julia White is struggling - her mother died recently, she’s had a one night stand with an ex and now he’s ghosted her, her first published book is a failure and she’s working in a Brooklyn café. One day, an older guy comes in and shows her a photo taken in the 1960s of a woman falling off a bridge, clutching her baby. Turns out he’s a very famous photograph...

For people wanting to explore the water who don't want the big ocean cruise experience - an intimate river cruise might be the way to go. River cruises have gotten more popular in recent years, as it allows people to explore places without the intense experience of an ocean cruise. BloggerAtLarge's Megan Singleton explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Sunday Panel, Chelsea Daniels from the Front Page podcast and ZB Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Finance Minister Nicola Willis has hinted towards potentially privatizing Kiwibank - what do we think? Is this the right move? Kamala Harris has officially been confirmed as the Democratic nominee - do we t...

Everyone struggles with abdominal cramps and bloating from time to time - but when should we be concerned? Bloating can be a symptom of fluid retention, gas, digestive issues, infection, or something bigger. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara shares her tips and tricks for dealing with bloating. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the Paris Olympics are underway, one correspondent is winning over fans all over the world.  Rapper and producer Snoop Dogg is   attending the Games as   NBC Sports’ special correspondent - and his antics have made a splash with viewers. Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall recaps some of the more memorable moments of Snoop at the Games - so far. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 4th August 2024 Hollywood star, Frodo himself, Elijah Wood joins Francesca to talk about his New Zealand film Bookworm. Kiwi rower Emma Twigg talks about ending her career with a silver medal at the Paris Olympics and Francesca reflects on the characters of the Olympics, Snoop Dogg and joy the games bring. David 'Chook' Henwo...

An officer who's spent over 30 years as part of New Zealand's police force has detailed his experience in a new book. David 'Chook' Henwood was a key part in the development of criminal profiling in New Zealand – a game changer for policing in the nation. He retired in 2007 and has now shared his story, and his thoughts on policing, in his new book Unmasking Monsters .   He says he witnessed the f...

According to Greek mythology, red roses first appeared when Aphrodite pricked her foot on a thorn, spilling blood on a white rose. Since then, roses’ thorns have captured the imaginations of countless poets and filled the outdoor spaces of keen gardeners. For those of us who love the thought of roses, but don’t like the prickles – new research published in the journal Science has found the gene th...

Tasty prawn and chicken laksa   Cook time: 30 minutes Prep time: not long Serves: 4 6 chicken thighs, boneless and skinless 12 peeled prawns 3 tbsp yellow curry paste (red curry paste for slightly hotter) 6 cloves garlic, sliced 2 knobs ginger, cut in half 1 onion, peeled and sliced 2 tbsp sunflower oil 400 ml coconut cream 250 ml vegetable stock 1 small pkt egg noodles or vermicelli 1 cup fresh c...