The Latest from Audio /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/rss ¾ÅÒ»ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ Fri, 20 Jun 2025 16:17:23 Z en Celine Song: director on her new film 'Materialists' /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/celine-song-director-on-her-new-film-materialists/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/celine-song-director-on-her-new-film-materialists/ Celine Song has generated plenty of interest and acclaim off her directing debut Past Lives - and her new romantic drama Materialists has attracted attention from film fans. Materialists stars Dakota Johnson as a successful match-maker for New York's elite singles who's torn between two potential suitors of her own. Celine Song says she used her own experiences as a matchmaker to help craft the film. "The reason why I quit - the job was too fun. My day job ended up being too fun. It's so fascinating because all these strangers of all kinds just tell you what's in their heart." LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 15 Jun 2025 01:53:48 Z Dr Ivor Popovich: Auckland-based ICU doctor on new book examining the pitfalls of the healthy system /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-ivor-popovich-auckland-based-icu-doctor-on-new-book-examining-the-pitfalls-of-the-healthy-system/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-ivor-popovich-auckland-based-icu-doctor-on-new-book-examining-the-pitfalls-of-the-healthy-system/ A tell-all expose from within our health system was released this week - and it's attracting plenty of interest. Written by Auckland-based ICU doctor, Dr Ivor Popovich, the book shares his journey from med school through the public health system. He talks of bullying, funding and staffing shortfalls through to the inequities between private and public healthcare Popovich says he wasn't sure how his colleagues or employers would react to the book - but he was committed to getting his experience out there. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 15 Jun 2025 01:35:03 Z Whitcoulls Recommends: Atmosphere and Inside the Wire /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/whitcoulls-recommends-atmosphere-and-inside-the-wire/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/whitcoulls-recommends-atmosphere-and-inside-the-wire/ Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, who is well known for terrific books like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and Daisy Jones and The Six. In 1980, Joan Goodwin becomes one of the first women scientists accepted by NASA for the space shuttle programme where she’s part of a close team who work and play together. Vanessa Ford is a brilliant, practical aeronautical engineer and they discover possibilities in their friendship they never knew existed - so when Vanessa’s mission goes badly wrong and Joan, in charge of astronaut communications is responsible for bringing her safely back to earth, the tension and emotion is off the chart. As were mine.  Inside the Wire by Rhonda Hapi – Smith. Rhonda spent almost 20 years as a prison officer in a number of men’s prisons around the country. She’s a tough, physically strong woman - she also worked on the Riot Squad - with a hefty dose of compassion who always understood that in order to get the best out of the people in her care she needed to build relationships but take no nonsense. The book is an insight into life inside the prison walls, both for the incarcerated men and for the staff, and it comes from a career of which she is justifiably proud.  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 15 Jun 2025 01:23:13 Z Megan Singleton: BloggerAtLarge writer on the realities of travelling to the States /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/megan-singleton-bloggeratlarge-writer-on-the-realities-of-travelling-to-the-states/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/megan-singleton-bloggeratlarge-writer-on-the-realities-of-travelling-to-the-states/ It's an interesting time to be in the US, with protests erupting across the nation in response the the actions of the Trump administration. Tens of thousands have taken to the streets across all 50 states, with the aim of “rejecting authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics, and the militarisation of our democracy”. Megan Singleton is in Chicago at the moments - and she opened up about the realties of travelling through the US during a turbulent time. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 15 Jun 2025 01:18:40 Z The Sunday Panel: How can we get the balance right for healthcare? /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/the-sunday-panel-how-can-we-get-the-balance-right-for-healthcare/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/the-sunday-panel-how-can-we-get-the-balance-right-for-healthcare/ This week on the Sunday Panel, journalist and editor Jo McCarroll and NZ Herald senior writer Simon Wilson joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The private v public healthcare debate continues - how can we keep the waitlists down? There doesn’t seem to be an obvious solution, but this week, the Government is claiming to have 9696 extra elective surgeries, putting it on track to reach its end-of-June target of more than 10,579 operations. What do we make of this? Should we have price controls in place for alcohol sold at off-licences in an attempt to reduce harmful drinking at home and boost hospitality?  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 15 Jun 2025 01:10:42 Z Erin O'Hara: Naturopath and wellness expert explains how chemicals impact our weight /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/erin-ohara-naturopath-and-wellness-expert-explains-how-chemicals-impact-our-weight/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/erin-ohara-naturopath-and-wellness-expert-explains-how-chemicals-impact-our-weight/ Obesogens are chemicals that disrupt the body's normal controls and promote fat cell formation (adipogenesis) and lipid accumulation. These can potentially lead to obesity.  Common types of obesogens include BPA, phthalates, herbicides, pesticides, PFOA and nonstick cookware and food additives. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara reveals how obesogens affect your body - and how you can minimise your exposure.  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 15 Jun 2025 00:44:32 Z Mike van de Elzen: Lamb shoulder with chermoula /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mike-van-de-elzen-lamb-shoulder-with-chermoula/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mike-van-de-elzen-lamb-shoulder-with-chermoula/ Lamb shoulder with chermoula  Cook time: 3 hours  Prep time: 5 minutes  Serves: 6  1 lamb shoulder   Chermoula   2 lemons, juiced   1 onion, peeled and diced   10 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed   1 tbsp ground coriander   1 tbsp ground cumin   1 tbsp garam masala   2 tsp turmeric, ground or fresh   1 tsp chili powder   1 tsp smoked paprika   1 cup fresh coriander leaves   1 cup parsley leaves   2 tbsp oil   1 tbsp flaky salt  Place all the chermoula ingredients into to a processor and blitz until smooth.   Place the chermoula into a plastic bag along with the lamb shoulder. Close the bag up tight making sure all the lamb is well coated. Place into the fridge for a few hours or over night if you have the time.  Preheat the oven to 220*c and place a large roasting tray into it to heat for 5 minutes.  Remove the lamb from the bag and pull out the tray from the oven. Pour in the oil and carefully place the lamb into roasting tray. Place the lamb into the oven and cook for 10 minutes on one side before turning for another 10 minutes.   Turn the oven down to 150*c and bake for 60 minutes.   Remove from the oven and cover with tinfoil to rest for 30 minutes before serving.   I would serve the lamb with roasted kumara, sauteed greens and chili sauce.  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 15 Jun 2025 00:21:29 Z Full Show Podcast: 15 June 2025 /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/full-show-podcast-15-june-2025/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/full-show-podcast-15-june-2025/ On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 15th June 2025, Oscar-nominated Celine Song on her new film Materialists and how it was inspired by her own experience as a matchmaker in New York. ICU doctor, Dr Ivor Popovich explains why he has spoken out against his employer with a tell-all expose of New Zealand's health system. Middle East correspondent Gregg Carlstrom with the latest on Iran and Israel. Health Minister Simeon Brown on why legislation is required to refocus the health system on results. And what are osbesogens?  Erin O'Hara explains. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 15 Jun 2025 00:12:39 Z Michelle Dickinson: nanotechologist on the new research revealing how our unique nasal 'fingerprints' could help health system /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/michelle-dickinson-nanotechologist-on-the-new-research-revealing-how-our-unique-nasal-fingerprints-could-help-health-system/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/michelle-dickinson-nanotechologist-on-the-new-research-revealing-how-our-unique-nasal-fingerprints-could-help-health-system/ What if your next medical test involved breathing into a tube instead of drawing blood?  A new study out this week published in the journal Current Biology has discovered that every human has a way of breathing through their nose that is so unique to them, it can be used to identify individuals with incredible accuracy.  These personal "nasal respiratory fingerprints" may even hold powerful clues about your health, your mood, and even how your brain works.  We often take our breath for granted. But behind every inhale and exhale is a complex web of brain networks working quietly in the background.  The researchers attached tiny wearable device placed in a nasal cannula (like a mini oxygen tube) for 24-hour recordings on 100 volunteers. They found that a computer could identify individuals from their breathing patterns with up to 97 percent accuracy and this pattern remained stable for nearly two years.  The researchers found that these unique breathing patterns, could predict a person’s Body Mass Index (BMI), arousal state, and even levels of anxiety, depression, and traits related to autism.  They found that:  People with higher anxiety levels tended to take shorter inhales during sleep.  Higher depression scores were linked to stronger nasal airflow and longer pauses after breathing out.  And people with higher autism traits showed longer pauses between breaths and more variability in how they inhaled.  All this was measured passively, just from how air flows in and out of the nose.  The nose is more than just a smell detector, it’s closely linked to the brain’s emotional and cognitive circuits. Previous research has even shown that the rhythm of nasal breathing can sync up with brain waves and influence memory, attention, and emotion.  This study supports the idea that breathing, especially through the nose, is more than a life-sustaining reflex. It’s a mirror of our inner world.  The potential of this new discovery is huge! If nasal breathing patterns can reflect not only who we are but also how we feel and function, then this non-invasive technique could become a powerful tool in health monitoring, mental wellness, and neuroscience.  Instead of detecting early signs of depression or anxiety with a questionnaire, you could potentially diagnose in just a day's worth of breath.  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 14 Jun 2025 23:49:36 Z Steve Newall: Flicks.co.nz editor on Download festival attendees being told to remove their smartwatches /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/steve-newall-flicksconz-editor-on-download-festival-attendees-being-told-to-remove-their-smartwatches/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/steve-newall-flicksconz-editor-on-download-festival-attendees-being-told-to-remove-their-smartwatches/ After the UK's Download festival saw a significant spike in accidental emergency calls, authorities have urged fans to put their smartwatches on airplane mode. Emergency calls were automatically being made from the moshpit because the tech incorrectly assumed people has been caught in collisions.  Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall explained further. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 14 Jun 2025 23:40:24 Z Kathryn Wilson: Kiwi footwear designer on the return of NZ Fashion Week /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/kathryn-wilson-kiwi-footwear-designer-on-the-return-of-nz-fashion-week/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/kathryn-wilson-kiwi-footwear-designer-on-the-return-of-nz-fashion-week/ New Zealand Fashion Week is set to make a return. After the cancellation of last year's event due to economic concerns, Giltrap Group has been secured as a naming rights sponsor for three years.  One of New Zealand’s premier designers, Kathyrn Wilson of Kathryn Wilson Footwear, says everyone's 'delighted' that they can celebrate the industry after a rough few years. "We were really hoping it was coming back this year - there's also some really awesome changes to the structure of it and the venue and the way that they've been approaching the designers, which is really exciting." LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 14 Jun 2025 23:28:58 Z Thomas Coughlan: NZ Herald political editor on Prime Minister Chris Luxon's trip to China and Europe /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/thomas-coughlan-nz-herald-political-editor-on-prime-minister-chris-luxons-trip-to-china-and-europe/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/thomas-coughlan-nz-herald-political-editor-on-prime-minister-chris-luxons-trip-to-china-and-europe/ The Prime Minister says his upcoming trip to China is about more than bolstering trade links. Chris Luxon will be meeting with President Xi Jinping and other key members of the Chinese Government while in Beijing next week.  After meetings wrap up in Shanghai, Luxon will be heading to the NATO summit in Europe. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan explained why Luxon's carrying out these trips - and what they could mean for New Zealand. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 14 Jun 2025 23:13:17 Z Simeon Brown: Health Minister on the Government's new targets designed to refocus the health system /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/simeon-brown-health-minister-on-the-governments-new-targets-designed-to-refocus-the-health-system/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/simeon-brown-health-minister-on-the-governments-new-targets-designed-to-refocus-the-health-system/ Health Minister Simeon Brown says the Government want patients to be able to see the clear benefits of health infrastructure investments. The Government has approved a suite of amendments to the Healthy Futures Act, put in place in 2022, that it hopes will strengthen the performance of Health New Zealand. Brown says these changes needed to be put in place to ensure the health system could be focused on delivering results over successive Governments. "We've got to focus on improving the timeliness of elective surgeries, specialist appointments and ensuring our young children are getting those immunisations. It's actually just about making sure that the system knows what the focuses should be focused on - and holding it accountable." LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 14 Jun 2025 22:57:12 Z Gregg Carlstrom: Middle East correspondent on the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/gregg-carlstrom-middle-east-correspondent-on-the-escalating-conflict-between-israel-and-iran/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/gregg-carlstrom-middle-east-correspondent-on-the-escalating-conflict-between-israel-and-iran/ Israel says it will strike 'every site and every target' of Iran as the conflict escalates. The two countries continue to exchange air attacks after Iran launched waves of missiles in retaliation for Israeli strikes on Friday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Iran plans to threaten everyone. Middle East correspondent Gregg Carlstrom says this initial strike appeared to be a warning. "The question is, now, what will Iran do in response? There have been some threats from the Iranian Government throughout the day that they might escalate their own strikes." LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 14 Jun 2025 22:40:32 Z Annabel Langbein: Famed Kiwi cook talks newest French adventure /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/annabel-langbein-famed-kiwi-cook-talks-newest-french-adventure/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/annabel-langbein-famed-kiwi-cook-talks-newest-french-adventure/ Annabel Langbein, the famed Kiwi cook behind many iconic recipes, is on her own adventure in France. She and her husband Ted have bought a farmhouse in the south of France, and are currently staying there while they renovate their home. She says it was a 'stressful' journey trying to secure a place in France, but it was worth it. "All of France is foodie, but what I really love about this particular area is that the markets are just incredible - and pretty much most of the growers are all organic and the quality of the food is just so good." LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 08 Jun 2025 01:40:30 Z Olaf Triebel: artistic director and long-time circus performer on the preparation that goes into Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/olaf-triebel-artistic-director-and-long-time-circus-performer-on-the-preparation-that-goes-into-cirque-du-soleil-s-corteo/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/olaf-triebel-artistic-director-and-long-time-circus-performer-on-the-preparation-that-goes-into-cirque-du-soleil-s-corteo/ World-renowned circus company Cirque du Soleil will bring one of its longest-running and most beloved touring shows to Auckland’s Spark Arena this October. Corteo, which premiered in Montreal under a Big Top tent in April 2005, has wowed more than 12 million spectators in 30 countries with a mix of comedy, performance art, music, illusions and acrobatics. Artistic director and long-time circus performer Olaf Triebel says many of these performers have backgrounds in tumbling or gymnastics or trampolining - and the training's fairly straightforward. "Their body is already completely trained, so then what they have to focus on is more the artistic side of it - to learn how to move or to dance or to become an artist on stage." LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 08 Jun 2025 01:23:53 Z Whitcoulls Recommends: The Names and The Salt Path /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/whitcoulls-recommends-the-names-and-the-salt-path/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/whitcoulls-recommends-the-names-and-the-salt-path/ The Names by Florence Knapp. Cora is married to Gordon, a highly respected doctor, but what goes on in their own home is something entirely different. When she has a baby son she heads off to register his birth, with instructions from Gordon that she’s to name the baby after him - but her nine year old daughter has another idea, and Cora has her own preference. The story then splits into three different lines, in each of which the baby boy is given one of these three names and we follow his life until he’s 35 years old - and each of the named scenarios shows the impact of a name on a person’s life. It’s very cleverly done and there’s been a lot of international buzz about it. The Salt Path by Raynor Winn. This is currently screening at cinemas - the film is based on this book which was originally published in 2018 and has been reissued. It’s the true story of Raynor and her husband known as Moth, who in their 50’s lose absolutely everything and find themselves homeless and destitute - with Moth also suffering a debilitating illness. In the absence of any other options they decide to walk - more than 600 miles on the UK’s South West Coast Path, from Sommerset to Dorset via Devon and Cornwall. It’s an extraordinary story of real courage and endurance, and finding themselves in the process.  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 08 Jun 2025 01:08:48 Z Megan Singleton: BloggerAtLarge.com offers school holiday travel ideas /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/megan-singleton-bloggeratlargecom-offers-school-holiday-travel-ideas/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/megan-singleton-bloggeratlargecom-offers-school-holiday-travel-ideas/ The school holidays are coming up in a few weeks, and BloggerAtLarge's Megan Singleton has unveiled a fun travel hack powered by AI. Using ChatGPT or similar platforms, parents can now easily create scavenger hunt lists for any location, be it Rotorua or Sydney or even Ireland! Read more about Megan's ideas here. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 08 Jun 2025 01:03:17 Z The Sunday Panel: Unpacking the big Trump-Musk feud /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/the-sunday-panel-unpacking-the-big-trump-musk-feud/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/the-sunday-panel-unpacking-the-big-trump-musk-feud/ This week on the Sunday Panel, journalist and producer Irene Gardiner and senior PR consultant at One Plus One Communications, Damien Venuto, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week - and more!  The Trump/Musk relationship imploded this week, with the pair taking to social media to snipe at each other. Who wins here? Was anyone surprised by this? More retailers have given their staff body cameras amid an increase in anti-social behaviour. What do we make of this? Is this a sad indictment that they need to implement this?   LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 08 Jun 2025 00:52:26 Z Erin O'Hara: naturopath and wellness expert on how men can avoid stress and burnout /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/erin-ohara-naturopath-and-wellness-expert-on-how-men-can-avoid-stress-and-burnout/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/erin-ohara-naturopath-and-wellness-expert-on-how-men-can-avoid-stress-and-burnout/ Men's health week is coming up - and it sparks discussion every year about how men can avoid stress and burnout. Research indicates long-term stress can impact men's mental health and these issues are often compounded by our nation's infamous 'She'll Be Right' attitude. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explains further. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 08 Jun 2025 00:29:12 Z Mike van de Elzen: Sauteed broccoli with white cabbage and chili garlic butter /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mike-van-de-elzen-sauteed-broccoli-with-white-cabbage-and-chili-garlic-butter/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mike-van-de-elzen-sauteed-broccoli-with-white-cabbage-and-chili-garlic-butter/ Sauteed broccoli with white cabbage and chili garlic butter  Cook time: 5 minutes  Prep time: 10 minutes  Serves: 6  1/2 large white cabbage, cut into small wedges   10 heads sprouting broccoli   150 gm butter cracked pepper   1/4 cup curly parsley   1 red chili  2 cloves garlic   sea salt   2 tbsp sunflower oil   1 lemon   1 cup fresh coriander  Bring a large pot of water to the boil and season with a good amount of salt. Place the broccoli in the boiling water and leave for 10 seconds before removing and dropping in iced water as quickly as you can to stop the cooking.   Make up the butter by crushing the garlic cloves and chili down to a paste and add to the softened butter, along with the chopped curly parsley, sea salt and cracked pepper. Set aside.   Pre-heat a cast iron pan and break the cabbage up into smaller pieces and sauté in a touch of oil until slightly coloured, add a tbsp of water to help the steaming. Once just cooked, place into a large bowl and repeat until all the cabbage is sauteed. Finally add a touch more oil and add in the broccoli heads, sauté and add the butter to the bowl and toss until well coated.   Then spoon over the cabbage. Squeeze the juice of the lemon over the top and finish with the fresh coriander. Serve straight away. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 08 Jun 2025 00:13:03 Z Full Show Podcast: 08 June 2025 /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/full-show-podcast-08-june-2025/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/full-show-podcast-08-june-2025/ On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sundy 8 June 2025, Artistic Director for Cirque du Soleil's Corteo, Olaf Triebel, shares insights into just how his artists pull off their high risk stunts. Much loved Kiwi cook Annabel Langbein has a new home ... in France. She tells Francesca just how hard it was to buy a house in France and why she's made the move. South Island boys schools are banding together to help our young men with societal issues, principal Steve Hart tells us why. Who will win the war of words between Trump and Musk? US correspondent Dan Mitchinson with the latest. And did you know it's not your hands hitting each other than makes the sound when you clap? Dr Michelle Dickinson with the latest research into clapping. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 08 Jun 2025 00:12:39 Z Dr Michelle Dickinson: nanotechnologist explains where the science of clapping comes from /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-michelle-dickinson-nanotechnologist-explains-where-the-science-of-clapping-comes-from/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-michelle-dickinson-nanotechnologist-explains-where-the-science-of-clapping-comes-from/ Most of us think clapping is just about two hands hitting each other, but new research out this week in the journal Physical Review Research found that the clap that we hear actually comes from the air being squeezed out between our palms.     When your hands come together, whether flat or cupped, they trap a tiny bubble of air. That bubble escapes through small gaps, like the one between your thumb and index finger, creating a mini jet of air that blasts out and disturbs the surrounding atmosphere.  This results in a burst of sound created by a phenomenon called Helmholtz resonance, the same thing that happens when you blow across the top of a bottle. Your hands, in that moment, are transformed into a musical instrument.  To test their theory, the research team built silicone hands of different shapes and stiffness levels, and gave them microphones, pressure sensors, and high-speed cameras. They clapped the hands together again and again, studying every tiny movement and sound wave.  They found that the shape of your hands plays a big role in how your clap sounds. Cupped hands trap more air and make a lower, deeper sound. Flat hands create a higher-pitched pop. Even the grooves between your fingers contribute, acting like tiny open-ended pipes that add extra tones.  The study showed how a handclap might actually be used to identify someone. Because everyone has differently sized hands, skin textures, and clapping styles, no two claps are exactly alike, each person’s clap is unique, like a musical fingerprint.  One researcher is already exploring whether clapping could be used to take attendance in classrooms - where students walk into a room, clap once and the system recognises you and checks you in.  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 08 Jun 2025 00:07:42 Z Steve Newall: Flicks.co.nz editor on Neil Finn and other Kiwi entertainers calling for Western Springs to remain a concert venue /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/steve-newall-flicksconz-editor-on-neil-finn-and-other-kiwi-entertainers-calling-for-western-springs-to-remain-a-concert-venue/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/steve-newall-flicksconz-editor-on-neil-finn-and-other-kiwi-entertainers-calling-for-western-springs-to-remain-a-concert-venue/ Kiwi music legend Neil Finn is putting his weight behind a bid to bring music to Auckland's Western Springs stadium.  He's supporting the bid by CRS Records to develop a music venue there.  It's among options out for consultation - competing with a plan for a multisport venue put forward by Auckland FC's owners.  Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall says submissions are open until June 15, so there's plenty of time to read through the proposals. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 08 Jun 2025 00:00:55 Z Rob Sarkies: Pike River director on the film's world premiere in Sydney /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/rob-sarkies-pike-river-director-on-the-films-world-premiere-in-sydney/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/rob-sarkies-pike-river-director-on-the-films-world-premiere-in-sydney/ Last night, some families of Pike River mine victims, along with members of the cast and crew, attended the world premiere of Pike River at the Sydney Film Festival.  The feature film tells the story of the Pike River mine tragedy that took the lives of 29 men back in November 2010.  Told from the perspective of the families, the story centres on close friends Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse, who both lost a family member in the explosion.  Director Rob Sarkies says it was a 'special' experience seeing a packed audience engage with the film. "There's so many reasons why it's important to me - it's clearly an enormous and very resonant New Zealand story. Those two words - Pike River - mean so much." LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 07 Jun 2025 23:44:18 Z Jamie Ensor: NZ Herald political reporter on the impact of the Michael Forbes scandal /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/jamie-ensor-nz-herald-political-reporter-on-the-impact-of-the-michael-forbes-scandal/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/jamie-ensor-nz-herald-political-reporter-on-the-impact-of-the-michael-forbes-scandal/ There's a lot of unanswered questions relating to allegations against a former Prime Minister staffer. Michael Forbes has quit as acting deputy press secretary over allegations he took compromising recordings of sex workers - and photos of women he didn't know. A Wellington brothel complained to Police last July, who found it didn't meet the threshold for prosecution. NZ Herald political reporter Jamie Ensor explains the implications of this saga. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 07 Jun 2025 23:28:38 Z Dan Mitchinson: US correspondent on the ongoing war of the words between Donald Trump and Elon Musk /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dan-mitchinson-us-correspondent-on-the-ongoing-war-of-the-words-between-donald-trump-and-elon-musk/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dan-mitchinson-us-correspondent-on-the-ongoing-war-of-the-words-between-donald-trump-and-elon-musk/ US President Donald Trump has gotten into a public spat with Elon Musk, and it's left experts wondering what this could mean for next year's midterm elections. The pair have taken aim at each other on social media, with Trump threatening to cut federal contracts helping Musk and Musk calling for Trump's impeachment - among other accusations. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says people are looking to the future - and many have opted to 'stay in the shadows'. "Especially with so much relying on this tax and domestic policy that the President's trying to pass."  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 07 Jun 2025 22:51:26 Z Steve Hart: St Thomas of Canterbury College on the group of South Island boys' schools working to help young men /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/steve-hart-st-thomas-of-canterbury-college-on-the-group-of-south-island-boys-schools-working-to-help-young-men/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/steve-hart-st-thomas-of-canterbury-college-on-the-group-of-south-island-boys-schools-working-to-help-young-men/ A 13-strong group of boys’ schools across the South Island are uniting to help address the challenges faced by young men. This group is hoping to improve the outcomes for these boys - in both education and society. One of the schools involved is St Thomas of Canterbury College, and principal Steve Hart says new data has exposed the issues young men are facing in the modern world. "Until they understand who they really are and where they fit in, it can be quite difficult getting those really positive outcomes." LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 07 Jun 2025 22:34:10 Z Claire Turnbull: Nutritionist on her wellness guide End Your Fight with Food /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/claire-turnbull-nutritionist-on-her-wellness-guide-end-your-fight-with-food/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/claire-turnbull-nutritionist-on-her-wellness-guide-end-your-fight-with-food/ Do you find yourself stuck in a cycle of trying to eat well and and be healthier - but not being able to keep on track?  Between all the social media crazes and fad diets, one expert aims to cut through all the confusion with her new book End Your Fight with Food. Claire Turnbull has had her struggles with disordered eating and bulimia, and she's using her journey to help people form a better relationship with what they eat. "I just want people to stop fighting with themselves - so much of what fuels people's mental health challenges is the conversation they have with themselves. And when people try to eat better, exercise more, drink less, live a healthier lifestyle...and when the approach doesn't work, they get annoyed with themselves."  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 01 Jun 2025 01:29:29 Z Whitcoulls Recommends: The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club and Ocean /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/whitcoulls-recommends-the-martha-s-vineyard-beach-and-book-club-and-ocean/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/whitcoulls-recommends-the-martha-s-vineyard-beach-and-book-club-and-ocean/ The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly. She’s a terrific writer of historical fiction (my favourite of hers is The Lilac Girls) – this time set on Martha’s Vineyard in two timelines – present day, when a young woman grieving the death of her mother arrives on the island and discovers things about her mother she never knew; while back during WW2 two sisters are trying to hold it all together as the US army arrives and everything changes for the local inhabitants. Like her other books this is based on real events – this time from the author’s own family history. Ocean by David Attenborough and Colin Butfield. There is also a movie of this title playing in cinemas at the moment. Looking back over the course of David Attenborough’s lifespan (he’s just turned 99) this is a look at eight unique ocean habitats – through coral reefs, mangroves,  Oceanic Islands and more. It’s an extraordinary insight into what lies beneath the water, and how much it’s at risk – although Attenborough does say that while our oceans are fragile they also have an extraordinary capacity to repair themselves which is encouraging. It includes lots of amazing photos.  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 01 Jun 2025 01:07:28 Z