The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

Dark chocolate is often justified as one of the healthiest ways to fulfil sugar cravings- but how healthy is it?  New research recently revealed dark chocolate is linked to reduced hypertension (high blood pressure). When paired with the other existing health benefits linked to dark chocolate, including fibre, vitamins, and minerals, people are eager to use it as a healthy alternative to sweet tre...

Caramelised watermelon salad with honey olive dressing Cook time: 5 minutes   Prep time: 25 minutes   Serves: 6   1 small watermelon, cut into 1/4 lengthways and then 3cm slices   3 tbsp caster sugar   1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives   4 tbsp liquid honey   6 fresh basil leaves   200gm soft Danish feta or goats' feta (optional)   Heat a cast-iron skillet until very hot. Pat the watermelon slices dr...

This week's topic is all about blueberries and how they aren't blue! Have you ever wondered why blueberries look blue on the outside, but when you squeeze them, their juice is reddish-purple? Well wonder no more, as scientists have just made a new discovery and found that blueberries are actually not blue at all, but instead trick us with a secret UV coating on their skin that makes them appear to...

We're less than a day away from this year's Super Bowl LVIII, and viewers are excited for more than just football. Grammy-winning 2000s R&B icon Usher is set to perform at the half-time show, and he's promised roller skating, 'killer choreography' and surprise guests.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A powerhouse group of female Kiwi music stars are set to take the stage for the Auckland Arts Festival. Next month, Betty-Anne Monga, Annie Crummer, Julia Deans and Boh Runga will come together for an International Women's Day tribute 'Hear Me Roar'. Fur Patrol lead vocalist Julia Deans is 'excited' to be a part of this musical project. "We've got our first proper singing rehearsal next Thursday,...

One Christchurch-based entrepreneur hopes her platform will hold information to make death easier on loved ones. 'Holdmine' allows users to store personal data, including funeral plans, wills, lawyers' contacts and key passwords to be shared with trusted contacts upon passing. Creator Melissa Davies says her experience with her father's unexpected passing showed her there were a lot of complexitie...

Eric Bana is known for his comedy.   The Australian actor began his career with the sketch comedy series ‘Full Frontal’, but he began his acting career playing Con in the 1997 film ‘The Castle.’   In 2020, he starred in an Australian mystery drama thriller film, playing the role of Aaron Falk in ‘The Dry’, based on Jane Harper’s book of the same name.   Four years later, the detective has returned...

A team of international astronomers have discovered a potentially habitable ‘Super Earth’ orbiting a star 137 light-years away. Astronomers spotted the planet, known as TOI-715b, using NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). Dr Georgina Dransfield, the University of Birmingham scientist who led the project, says the planet is estimated to be one and a half times bigger than earth- wit...

David Seymour and the ACT Party's popularity has surged, despite ongoing backlash against the Treaty Principles Bill. The latest Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll shows ACT has gained 5.6 percent and now sits at almost 14 percent support. Chris Luxon has a ten point lead over Labour Leader Chris Hipkins in the preferred Prime Minister stakes. ZB political editor Jason Walls says Seymour has faced opposi...

As another new year begins, high schools across Auckland are bursting at the seams from unprecedented roll growth. An uptick in immigration is pushing enrolment numbers higher- and principals are experiencing logistical headaches from the extra stress. One principal, Ormiston Senior College's Tim Botting, says his school is over capacity by 275 pupils. "We're able to move into spaces like our café...

The question of whether Auckland needs a waterfront or downtown stadium has always been an easy question for me to answer. No, Auckland doesn’t need another stadium. We already have quite a few stadiums with different capacities catering to various our needs. There are a lot of other more important things Auckland needs; less traffic congestion, better public transport, a better waste water system...

Because All Fades by Freddie Gillies. NZ first time author. It’s a novel about Andrew and Jess who are New Zealanders living in London, and things are going a bit sour. Andrew’s best friend is Jaryd, who’s living in Paris with his girlfriend Olivia and running his own start up which seems to be going fabulously well. They all decide to head off on a road trip to Italy, during which their relations...

Western Australia Tourism recently sent their Aboriginal tour showcase over to New Zealand to get fresh eyes on their offerings. The operators have united with WA Tourism under one banner to promote their businesses, but these Aboriginal experts hope to get people involved in supporting their land. BloggerAtLarge writer Megan Singleton says they used their stories and experiences to craft unique t...

This week on the Sunday Panel, Capital director and political commentator Ben Thomas and TV producer and commentator Irene Gardiner joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week- and more! With James Shaw stepping down as Green Party leader, Chlöe Swarbrick is the favourite to replace him. Is she the right choice to take over? What could this mean for the Green Party's future? I...

A solid exercise regimen is good for our overall health, but researchers are warning of a potentially harmful side effect. Athletic gear is generally made from s pandex, nylon and polyester- materials linked to harmful microplastics that can be absorbed through sweat. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explains how to get around the impact of potential halth conditions- while keeping a sol...

A Little Summer Taster: Cook time: 25 minutes Prep time: 10 minutes Serves: 6-8 little tasters 8 large fresh tomatoes 400gm tin of cannellini beans 250ml olive oil 6 stalks fresh rosemary 6 cloves garlic, crushed Flaky sea salt Turn your oven onto 200*c fan bake. Take your fresh tomatoes and slice them in half horizontally. Place them onto a oven tray and drizzle with a touch of oil, sprinkle of s...

It’s a month after some of us set our new year's resolutions, and usually the time of year where our commitment to lose weight through dieting and exercise falls by the wayside. Never fear – science is here, with a new study out this week claiming that kimchi could be the answer! Published in the journal BMJ open, the study found that kimchi made with cabbage could help to lower men’s risk of obes...

Social media platform TikTok's gotten quieter for users, as Universal Music Group pulled their catalogue from the app. This removal comes after both companies failed to reach an agreement over artist compensation and AI. UMG represents artists like Drake, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Adele, Harry Styles and other musicians soundtracking popular TikTok trends. Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall says...

It's an impossible conundrum- how do we encourage kids to become healthy eaters without destroying their body confidence? Speaker, writer and expert Emma Wright's latest book, Body Confident - A Guide to Raising Healthy Eaters, promises to end dinner table disputes and curb possible future image issues. She says a lot of healthy eating advice for children can open the door to calorie counting and...

The tension in the air at Waitangi is palpable, as people wait to see how the Government and iwi leaders will mix. Opposition MPs were welcomed yesterday and Labour did not hold back, suggesting the Government was a den of lions - and advocating for Māori rights in speeches. The Government will be welcomed to Waitangi on Tuesday, with thousands of visitors expected. Herald Political Reporter Adam...

A former Tinder CEO is using AI to curb the effects of the ongoing loneliness epidemic. Studies show loneliness impacts 1 in 3 Kiwis, with 86 percent of young people gravitating towards technology and social media to address relationship issues. Meeno, an AI guide designed to mentor users into improving their interpersonal relationships, launched in New Zealand this week. Creator Renate Nyborg say...

Artist and producer Tiki Taane has cemented himself as a figure of stature in the Kiwi music scene. From his early days with Salmonella Dub, to headlining Big Day Out as a solo artist a decade ago, to his highly-anticipated performance at Synthony in the Domain, his creative output has evolved. He says the rise of social media has changed music and music festivals- and he needed to adapt to that....

There are growing calls to address the burgeoning access problem of general practice care across the country. General Practice NZ has detailed a series of solutions needed to counter the issues many across the country are experiencing. The existing Capitation funding model, in particular, is overdue a revamp to counter increased complexity, equity issues and high demand. Chair Dr Bryan Betty says...

Last week I was holidaying at Omori, at the southern end of Lake Taupo, and I did what I always do at this time of the year- I visited one of my favourite places in New Zealand, Tongariro National Park. As restorative, humbling and awe inspiring as this region is, Whakapapa Village, at the foot of the majestic Ruapehu left me with a sense of sadness too. With the future of its ski-fields up in the...

Absolute Power by David Baldacci. This was his first novel, originally published many years ago – and he’s gone on to have quite the career since with a string of great bestsellers, but I always thought the premise of this one was terrific. A burglar gets trapped inside a wardrobe in the bedroom of one of the world’s richest men and witnesses two Secret Service agents killing the billionaire’s wif...