The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

Did you know that crabs find their food using their sense of smell, not their eyes?   Carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from pollution is absorbed by our oceans, making them more acidic and putting our coastal and marine ecosystems under tremendous stress.   One of the creatures that this is affecting are crabs, and research released this week shows that one of their most important sense...

In recent weeks, popular streaming networks have been increasing their prices. Despite inflation hitting the economy hard and driving up daily expenses, these price increases aren't tied to the rising cost of living. Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall explains that the streaming business model has been built around getting and retaining subscribers, but the strategy will need to change to fuel a 'gr...

Happy, healthy relationships are scientifically proven to be good for us, but they take a bit of work. Relationships can be wonderful, but they take effort to maintain, especially with the everyday stressors of life thrown into the mix. Clinical psychologist and family therapist Nic Beets has released Make Love Work: A Practical Guide to Relationship Success, a book designed to navigate these prob...

All eyes are on Grant Robertson, as the Government is set to reveal their anticipated 'no-frills budget' on Thursday. Robertson has promised a solution to the cost of living crisis that doesn't add more to increased inflationary pressure. NZ Herald political reporter Adam Pearse says Robertson has already identified the key themes of this year's budget- cost of living and cyclone recovery- but wil...

Scrubs and Garden State star Zach Braff returns with a new film, having recently written, directed and produced A Good Person. This dramatic journey of healing and self-forgiveness stars Morgan Freeman, Molly Shannon, and Florence Pugh, who leads the film as Allison- an aspiring musician on the road to recovery after a deadly accident. Florence Pugh’s acting career is on a hot streak, having wowed...

So, it’s been an interesting week in the world of education, and for those with children about to enter the NCEA years, it’s be fair to say you’re probably wondering what’s in store for your kid. While the current system has pros and cons, the idea of changing it up when your child is halfway through their NCEA years is annoying and confusing for everybody involved. And it doesn’t help when the pl...

The Hollywood Writers Guild of America strike is into its second week, and studios are taking a hit. The list of shows delaying or stopping production is growing by the day, and already includes Daredevil: Born Again, Billions, FBI: Most Wanted, and the Pretty Little Liars sequel. Deadline Hollywood's Dominic Patten says the strike started with picketing in the first week, but has since escalated,...

A top Auckland private school has turned its back on NCEA Level 1. St Cuthbert’s College confirmed from next year, their Year 11 students would work towards the school’s own diploma instead of completing the NCEA qualification. Education Hub founder and former secondary school teacher Dr Nina Hood is among many educational experts with serious questions about NCEA, especially Level 1. "We are real...

City of Dreams by Don Winslow - second in the trilogy which started last year with City on Fire. This is the second instalment in the story which started on Providence, Rhode Island, where Danny Ryan is now on the losing side of a turf war and takes his family to California to start a new life- but of course it doesn’t work, the Mafia, the cops and the FBI all want him dead or in prison - but the...

Hotels and restaurants throughout London are promising visiting royalists afternoon teas fit for a king. Fans looking to celebrate the Coronation in style may have to pay a high price, as some locations are charging between £55 to £70. BloggerAtLarge's Megan Singleton says the Ruebens Hotel is closest to the action at Buckingham Palace but recommends the Goring Hotel, the location of choice for vi...

This week on the Sunday Panel, BusinessDesk investments editor and host of Cooking the Books, Frances Cook and Director of Capital NZ, Ben Thomas joined in on a discussion about the following topics:  It's King Charles' Coronation weekend- Were we affected by Coronation apathy or was it the highlight of your week? Is there pressure to modernise the monarchy? This was a messy political week- Elizab...

No matter how exhausting your day may have been, quieting your mind before sleep can be a difficult endeavour. That 'tired but wired' feeling is caused by brain waves and frequencies, and high-frequency brain waves are produced during busy days. Naturopath, wellness expert and Golden Yogi director Erin O'Hara says it's important to practice 'sleep hygiene'. A familiar routine with a hot tea, a war...

This week, we are talking about something quite special!   Let me see if you can work out what I'm talking about:   "These little beauties hark back to the 1940s when the Edmonds Cookbook was a staple in every home and no tea party was complete without them.   With their delicate centre and crusty exterior, these nostalgic sweet treats have all but disappeared as the foundry that once made the iro...

This week, we are talking bears and blood clots!   Remaining immobile for long periods of time can put people at risk of dangerous blood clots moving through the body to vital organs like the heart and lungs. Many of us will know the increased risk of deep vein thrombosis from sitting for on long haul flights.   One thing that has puzzled scientists is why immobility can increase the risk of clots...

Crowns and sceptres are being replaced with microphones and disco lights tonight. The official Coronation Concert is taking place at Windsor Castle, featuring a star-studded lineup of Katy Perry, Lionel Ritchie, and Take That. But Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall says a number of celebrities declined a bid to perform. "The no-thanks list also includes Kylie Minogue, Elton John, the Spice Girls, Ad...

With all the information available and different parenting techniques out there, finding what's best for your children is tougher than ever. Dr Justin Coulson has plenty of insight, having co-hosted reality show Parental Guidance and founded Happy Families. Coulson's new book Parenting Revolution examines what makes a great parent amongst the changing landscape and was partially inspired by his wo...

Author and screenwriter Gabrielle Zevin's 2022 novel 'Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow' is a successful game-changer. The book was an instant hit upon release and earned positive reviews from Publishers Weekly, The Washington Post and The New York Times, even making the latter's famous Best Seller List. Film rights to the novel have already been purchased by Paramount and Temple Hill Entertain...

The Youth and Adults in the Music Industry summit gave aspiring musicians in Wanaka a chance to learn from industry experts. New Zealand Music Month officially kicked off this month, and this weekend's YAMI 2023 summit allowed Kiwi music greats to come together and share their wisdom with music lovers. One of the tutors at this year's event was Elizabeth Stokes, lead vocalist of indie rock group T...

Two high-profile resignations from Parliament's left-bloc could spell out trouble for Team Hipkins. Former Green MP Elizabeth Kerekere's left the party, whilst being investigated for bullying. And Former Labour MP Meka Whaitiri's jumping ship to Te Pati Maori. Both will stay on as independents until the election. NZ Herald deputy political editor Thomas Coughlan says  it's hard for Chris Hipkins t...

Overnight (NZT) King Charles was crowned in a historic ceremony in London’s Westminster Abbey. The ceremony meant the longtime Crown Prince is now formally King of the United Kingdom and 14 Commonwealth realms, New Zealand included. Royal Editor Russell Meyers says the coronation mixed history with the modern era. "And there were certain elements that were really, really well celebrated, certainly...

A new monarch has taken the crown. For the first time in 70 years, a Coronation of a new British monarch took place in Westminster Abbey last night. The two hour ceremony for King Charles III and Queen Camilla had more than 2,000 attendees. And Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking was inside, rubbing shoulders with royalty. He was one of just 27 members of the global media invited in and the only representa...

Small Mercies by Denis Le Hane. I love Denis LeHane’s writing. Many readers will remember Mystic River but my own personal favourite is The Given Day which was set in Boston, as is this new one. Mary Pat is a hardworking nurse in a retirement home, living in the Projects. She had two husbands – one died and one left; heroin killed her son after he came back from Vietnam and her daughter Jules is w...

Travelling to the UK can be eye-wateringly expensive- but this doesn't always have to be this way. BloggerAtLarge's Megan Singleton knows better than anyone that travelling is an expensive experience, and she's found some affordable hacks to keep travel costs down. Megan explained that New Zealand's fifth direct airline from China is due to return in June, opening up more affordable travel alterna...

This week on The Sunday Panel, h ost of The Front Page podcast Damien Venuto and Coast Day host Lorna Riley joined in on a discussion about the following topics:  We're less than a week away from King Charles' Coronation- Are we getting hyped for this historic event or are we victims of Coronation apathy? Employers out of the UK have claimed Gen Z workers "lack motivation" and are "easily offended...

If you've ever found yourself relying on caffeine, alcohol or stimulants to manage energy levels and stress- chances are, high-functioning anxiety could be to blame. High-functioning anxiety typically refers to someone who experiences severe worry, stress or obsessive thoughts while appearing outwardly put together and balanced. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara recommends s upplements an...