The Latest from The Sunday Session /on-air/the-sunday-session/rss 九一星空无限 THE SUNDAY SESSION WITH FRANCESCA RUDKIN9am-Noon Sink into your Sunday with the best session around. This is the show that delivers a little bit of everyth Tue, 06 May 2025 02:34:30 Z en Karoline Tamati: Ladi6 returns with new single and promises new album to come /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/karoline-tamati-ladi6-returns-with-new-single-and-promises-new-album-to-come/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/karoline-tamati-ladi6-returns-with-new-single-and-promises-new-album-to-come/ Karoline Tamati, known to Kiwi music fans as Ladi6, is back with her new single Lightbulb - and she's confirmed there's more to come. Her upcoming new album Le Va is her first big musical project in seven years. This album promises to be a deeply personal project, as it was written as a tribute to Tamati's late mother.  "We had a very specific theme for this next record - which was that we wanted it to be more indicative of the live show. In the past, we hadn't had that so much, we'd sort of kept to the mellow end of soul and R&B." LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 04 May 2025 01:38:20 Z David Nicholls: British author and screenwriter talks about pressures of success ahead of Writers Festival appearance /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/david-nicholls-british-author-and-screenwriter-talks-about-pressures-of-success-ahead-of-writers-festival-appearance/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/david-nicholls-british-author-and-screenwriter-talks-about-pressures-of-success-ahead-of-writers-festival-appearance/ David Nicholls is a critically acclaimed author and BAFTA-winning screenwriter - and he's set to make an appearance at this year's upcoming Auckland Writers Festival. His bestselling book One Day sold millions of copies and went on to become a successful hit series on Netflix. Off the back of his latest hit novel, You Are Here, Nicholls plans to address Kiwi fans - and open up about the pressures of success. "I've written a lot of books set in the past and a lot of books with quite a large time scale - and this is like a little delicate chamber piece, even though it takes place against all these mountains and lakes and rivers. It's a character study."  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 04 May 2025 01:14:51 Z Whitcoulls Recommends: My Name is Emilia del Valle and The Pretender /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/whitcoulls-recommends-my-name-is-emilia-del-valle-and-the-pretender/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/whitcoulls-recommends-my-name-is-emilia-del-valle-and-the-pretender/ My Name is Emilia del Valle by Isabel Allende. Any new book from the wonderful Isabel Allende is a treat, and this is no exception. It begins in 1866 when an Irish nun becomes pregnant after an encounter with a wealthy Chilean who turns his back on them, and the baby and her mother have to fight for their place in the world. The child, Emilia del Valle, eventually becomes a writer and a journalist, and is eventually sent to cover the Chilean civil war along with a friend and colleague, Eric Whelan. There is history here as well as the romance, which makes it truly fascinating along with the romance. It was an extraordinary time.  The Pretender by Jo Harkin. Set in 15th Century England at the juncture between the Plantaganets and the Tudors, this is fiction which is fun, bawdy, historically interesting and never takes itself too seriously. It tells the story of a young boy who through his lifetime is known by a series of names. Firstly, he’s John Collett, growing up on a farm from which he’s one day uplifted by a couple of noblemen, becoming known as Lambert Simnel and told that he is in fact the 17th Earl of Warwick and will challenge King Henry 7th for the Crown. I loved it.  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 04 May 2025 00:59:25 Z Megan Singleton: BloggerAtLarge writer on Auckland Airport moving the pick up and drop off zone for Ubers /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/megan-singleton-bloggeratlarge-writer-on-auckland-airport-moving-the-pick-up-and-drop-off-zone-for-ubers/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/megan-singleton-bloggeratlarge-writer-on-auckland-airport-moving-the-pick-up-and-drop-off-zone-for-ubers/ After 11 years of operating in New Zealand, Ubers can now drop passengers off out front by the doors at Auckland Airport's domestic terminal. Instead of walking a couple hundred meters from the domestic terminal and through the car rental garage, people in Ubers can enjoy the same convenience as the taxi and shuttle bus riders.   BloggerAtLarge writer Megan Singleton unpacked this latest announcement - and gave a brief update on the progress of Auckland International Airport's construction. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 04 May 2025 00:54:27 Z Erin O'Hara: naturopath and wellness expert reveals what vaping can do to your lungs /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/erin-ohara-naturopath-and-wellness-expert-reveals-what-vaping-can-do-to-your-lungs/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/erin-ohara-naturopath-and-wellness-expert-reveals-what-vaping-can-do-to-your-lungs/ New studies have shown that vaping may not be the perfect silver bullet set to bring down nicotine consumption. Recent data shows that people who vape, even without a smoking history, are at a higher risk of developing COPD than non-vapers. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explains the research further. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 04 May 2025 00:41:27 Z The Sunday Panel: Is the 'Trump Slump' impacting overseas politics? /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/the-sunday-panel-is-the-trump-slump-impacting-overseas-politics/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/the-sunday-panel-is-the-trump-slump-impacting-overseas-politics/ This week on The Sunday Panel, Resident Economist at Opes Partners, Ed McKnight, and host of the Front Page podcast, Chelsea Daniels, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Over in Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese secured a second term as Prime Minister. This comes days after Mark Carney won the role of Prime Minister - with experts claiming anti-Trump sentiment helped propel his win. Do we think anti-Trump sentiment helped boost these candidates?  Finance Minister Nicola Willis has refused to rule out means-testing for KiwiSaver ahead of the 2025 Budget. Do we agree with means-testing the Government contribution? LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 04 May 2025 00:17:15 Z Full Show Podcast: 04 May 2025 /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/full-show-podcast-04-may-2025/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/full-show-podcast-04-may-2025/ On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 4 May 2025, critically acclaimed author and BAFTA winning screenwriter, David Nicholls on the fear he still gets when releasing a book. Ladi6 on the impact of losing her mum, new music and why she's turning towards helping others. Anthony Albanese has won the Australian election in a landslide, correspondent Murray Olds on what went wrong for the opposition Liberals and former New Zealand Minister Steven Joyce shares his thoughts on the shift in world politics away from MAGA style politics. Francesca reminisces about the days of school banking and Mike Van de Elzen weights in on the recipe stoush brewing over the Tasman between two popular food bloggers. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 04 May 2025 00:12:46 Z Mike van de Elzen: Can you copyright a recipe? /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mike-van-de-elzen-can-you-copyright-a-recipe/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mike-van-de-elzen-can-you-copyright-a-recipe/ Nagi Maehashi, founder of  popular food blog RecipeTin Eats, says influencer Brooke Bellamy's new cookbook ‘Bake with Brooki’ plagiarised some recipes from her blog. Maehashi claimed Bellamy's book contained uncannily similar ingredients, quantities, and instructions for a caramel slice and baklava.   Mike van de Elzen explained whether you could really claim ownership over a recipe. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 04 May 2025 00:03:10 Z Laurie Winkless: physicist and science writer on the risks of New Zealand's major cities sinking /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/laurie-winkless-physicist-and-science-writer-on-the-risks-of-new-zealands-major-cities-sinking/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/laurie-winkless-physicist-and-science-writer-on-the-risks-of-new-zealands-major-cities-sinking/ No coastal city is immune to rising sea levels - and one expert has warned New Zealand could be at risk of sinking shorelines. A new study from a group of New Zealand researchers shows human activity is exacerbating the risks of oceans rising and impacting land.  Physicist and science writer Laurie Winkless says oceans are getting warmer and glaciers are melting - and it's something that should be considered for future urban planning. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 03 May 2025 23:49:54 Z Steve Newall: Flicks.co.nz editor on Fyre Festival going up for sale /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/steve-newall-flicksconz-editor-on-fyre-festival-going-up-for-sale/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/steve-newall-flicksconz-editor-on-fyre-festival-going-up-for-sale/ The Fyre Festival brand has gone up for sale - a matter of weeks after the organisers postponed Fyre Festival 2 with no new date set. Billy McFarland, the former organiser who served six years in prison after the 2017 event, claimed giving control of the festival to a new group would help build on the global entertainment brand. Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall wonders if anyone will pay for the event. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 03 May 2025 23:35:20 Z Fergus Wheeler: Death Without Debt spokesperson on the organisation's plan to help Kiwis bring funeral costs down /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/fergus-wheeler-death-without-debt-spokesperson-on-the-organisations-plan-to-help-kiwis-bring-funeral-costs-down/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/fergus-wheeler-death-without-debt-spokesperson-on-the-organisations-plan-to-help-kiwis-bring-funeral-costs-down/ New data has revealed the average cost of a funeral in New Zealand has surged to $14,000 - and one charitable organisation hopes to help Kiwis bring these costs down. Advocacy group Death Without Debt believes a DIY funeral can be done for little more than $1,000 - if people know how. Convenor Fergus Wheeler says families could manage the process with no loss of dignity and for far less. "Things like - moving a body around, not to embalm a body. You can register the death yourself, you don't need a funeral director to do that." LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 03 May 2025 23:16:49 Z Sophie Trigger: ZB senior political reporter speculates about the pre-Budget announcements /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/sophie-trigger-zb-senior-political-reporter-speculates-about-the-pre-budget-announcements/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/sophie-trigger-zb-senior-political-reporter-speculates-about-the-pre-budget-announcements/ There's less than a month left to go until the 2025 Budget - and there's plenty of speculation about the announcements to come. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has been clear in her initial statements that this coming Budget will be focused on getting the books back in order. The Government has slashed its operating allowance to just $1.3 billion dollars - a substantial drop from the $2.4 billion forecast by Treasury.   ZB senior political reporter Sophie Trigger says it's been made clear this won't be a 'lolly scramble' Budget. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 03 May 2025 23:03:46 Z Steven Joyce: former Finance Minister on the implications of Australia and Canada's election results /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/steven-joyce-former-finance-minister-on-the-implications-of-australia-and-canadas-election-results/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/steven-joyce-former-finance-minister-on-the-implications-of-australia-and-canadas-election-results/ Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's re-election is cementing a belief US policy is influencing voters abroad.  The Labor Party has secured a historic, and comfortable win over Peter Dutton's Liberal National Coalition - with Dutton himself ousted from his own Queensland seat.  Over in Canada, Mark Carney secured the role of Prime Minister - with experts claiming anti-Trump sentiment helped propel his win. Former Finance Minister Steven Joyce says the political right has learned the same lesson as the left about online 'echo chambers'. "The broad middle of politics is much more pragmatic about what they want to see happen in the world, they're not so much interested in the culture wars - be they on the left or on the right." LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 03 May 2025 22:50:55 Z Murray Olds: Australian correspondent on Anthony Albanese getting re-elected for a second term /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/murray-olds-australian-correspondent-on-anthony-albanese-getting-re-elected-for-a-second-term/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/murray-olds-australian-correspondent-on-anthony-albanese-getting-re-elected-for-a-second-term/ Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is returning to the top job, after a decisive election win that was well predicted. He's the country's first leader to win back-to-back elections since John Howard in 2004, pushing his party back into office - this time with an even larger majority.  Meanwhile, the night proved a big loss for opposition leader Peter Dutton - after he lost his seat of Dickson in Queensland and conceded defeat.  Australian correspondent Murray Olds says this was an 'epic' win for Labor - and a significant loss for the opposition. "Unless Labor really stuffs things up, it's going to have another election win in three years time, because the Liberals - the conservative right of Australian politics - is in complete disarray this morning." LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 03 May 2025 22:28:09 Z Francesca Rudkin: Financial literacy in schools is a good thing /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-financial-literacy-in-schools-is-a-good-thing/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-financial-literacy-in-schools-is-a-good-thing/ These days I have blurry memories of my time at primary school in Auckland in the late 70s, early 80s, but I can very clearly remember my ASB school banking book. ASB began school banking in 1972 as a way for children to learn about saving and banks, and I guess it was also with a view to retaining us as customers when we were in the workforce and had real amounts of money.  On banking days, I can remember bringing my 50 cents to school to make the deposit. My book was stamp marked with the date and the deposit and new balance amounts written in. And goodness, did I love watching the balance increase. I’m pretty sure at one point I had an ASB Kashin elephant money box as well. I’m sure this is ringing a bell with some of you.   This is far from what the Government proposed this week - compulsory financial education for students up to year 10, starting in 2026. But, encouraged by my parents, it was at primary school that my understanding of savings and budgeting began - because it was easy and available. While I was budgeting to add to my rubber and sticker collections the real benefit was that I became a good saver, and it has stuck with me for life.  As has my now worthless rubber collection - currently in a box under the stairs. I know teachers are inundated with curriculum changes and already have a lot to deal with in the classroom - but there must be room to grow financial literacy beyond what’s in the maths curriculum. Concepts like saving, budgeting, debt and investment.   Of all the things students learn to prepare them for life after school, surely this is among the most useful and important.   Yes, this is something parents should be teaching their children, but financial knowledge is not equal amongst adults. Some parents don’t like talking about money. Some assume their children will pick up good money management habits through osmosis. Some prefer to leave it to an expert to explain along the way. And many children just don’t listen to their parents.   When my son got his first part-time job, I suggested he read Get Started Investing by the guys behind the Equity Mates podcast. It was perfect for a teen boy. But no, the idea of having his own money and the freedom to spend it how he liked was way too exciting. OK - so I was a bit optimistic, but at least I know that in theory he understands the idea of compound interest.   I'm enthusiastic about my children becoming financially independent - as quickly as possible - so the more information they have, from as many sources as possible, the better prepared they are to make good decisions.   As an adult I’m still learning how to manage my money better. So, let’s get them started young. We don’t know what the curriculum requirements will be at this stage, but let’s give our children the basics and the best chance to be good with money for life.  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 03 May 2025 22:09:56 Z Gillian Swinton: author of 'The Good Life' opens up about her experience homesteading in Central Otago /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/gillian-swinton-author-of-the-good-life-opens-up-about-her-experience-homesteading-in-central-otago/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/gillian-swinton-author-of-the-good-life-opens-up-about-her-experience-homesteading-in-central-otago/ Gillian Swinton grew up watching her grandmother maintain a family farm in Northern Scotland - and used her experience to cultivate the rural lands of New Zealand. Now based in Central Otago, Gillian and her partner Hamish live on a 2.7 hectare property - embracing their own journey of living a self-sufficient and more simple life. Gillian has shared her own story of homesteading with tips and tricks in her new book The Good Life. "All of a sudden, we've got two-and-a-half hectares and sheep and bees - and it snowballed."  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 27 Apr 2025 01:20:37 Z Chris Whitaker: author reflects on creative journey ahead of Writers Festival appearance /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/chris-whitaker-author-reflects-on-creative-journey-ahead-of-writers-festival-appearance/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/chris-whitaker-author-reflects-on-creative-journey-ahead-of-writers-festival-appearance/ Epic thriller All the Colours of Dark was one of the must-read books of 2024 - but author Chris Whitaker's road to success was a long one. Whitaker has suffered his share of trauma - childhood abuse, stabbing, and losing millions of pounds as a stockbroker. He turned to writing - a move he credits with saving his life. Ahead of his upcoming appearance at Auckland Writers Festival, Whitaker says it was a 'vulnerable' place putting his creative work out for audience approval.  "It felt like I didn't have anything else to offer - that was then, obviously, but now I've started writing a new book and I'm in love with that." LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 27 Apr 2025 00:55:24 Z Whitcoulls Recommends: 1985: A Novel and High Heels and Gumboots /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/whitcoulls-recommends-1985-a-novel-and-high-heels-and-gumboots/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/whitcoulls-recommends-1985-a-novel-and-high-heels-and-gumboots/ 1985: A Novel by Dominic Hoey. Set in Auckland in the mid 80’s as the title suggests, this is the story of a young man coming of age in a dysfunctional family in Grey Lynn before it became gentrified, when the area and many of the people who lived in it were rough, not necessarily law abiding and where there seemed sometimes to be no future. Obi and his best friend Al discover a map which they believe leads to treasure, and which they hope will turn their fortunes around. The book is extremely atmospheric of the era, and took me right back. Terrific local fiction. High Heels and Gumboots by Rebecca Hayter. Rebecca is a sailor and a journalist, often combining the two things, who turned her back on Auckland and bought a property in Golden Bay, where she had grown up many years earlier. It’s a story about leaving the city and discovering independence and self sufficiency, a strong community to call her own, and finding ways to come to terms with the fractious relationship she had had with her mother, who was something of a legend in the area.  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 27 Apr 2025 00:42:55 Z Megan Singleton: BloggerAtLarge.com writer on how to make the most of your spending to earn Airpoints /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/megan-singleton-bloggeratlargecom-writer-on-how-to-make-the-most-of-your-spending-to-earn-airpoints/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/megan-singleton-bloggeratlargecom-writer-on-how-to-make-the-most-of-your-spending-to-earn-airpoints/ One of the perks of using credit cards is the Airpoints rewards - but there's benefits and pitfalls involved. A Platinum AMEX, for instance, will give you points for every $70 spent - but it comes with a higher annual fee than the Airpoints Low Fee Visa card. You can also earn Airpoints through New World's rewards programme, but it takes a bit of spending to make a significant impact. BloggerAtLarge.com writer Megan Singleton explains further. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 27 Apr 2025 00:34:12 Z The Sunday Panel: Do we agree with the Vatican asking people not to take selfies with the late Pope? /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/the-sunday-panel-do-we-agree-with-the-vatican-asking-people-not-to-take-selfies-with-the-late-pope/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/the-sunday-panel-do-we-agree-with-the-vatican-asking-people-not-to-take-selfies-with-the-late-pope/ This week on The Sunday Panel, NZ Herald senior writer Simon Wilson and journalist and editor Jo McCarroll joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Should Kiwis have more say over the state of the health system? Can health ever become bi-partisan? Do we believe it is a matter of doing things differently with the money we have, rather than continually expecting more money to be the answer?   Hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world came together to pay tribute to the Pope - but the amount of people taking selfies raised a few eyebrows. Does this cross the line? LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 27 Apr 2025 00:20:43 Z Full Show Podcast: 27 April 2025 /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/full-show-podcast-27-april-2025/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/full-show-podcast-27-april-2025/ On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 27 April 2025, author of smash hit 'All the Colours of the Dark' tells Francesca of the traumatic life events that inspire his writing. Scottish expat homesteader Gillian Swinton shares her journey to living self-sufficiently in Central Otago. New Zealand Archbishop Cardinal John Dew attended the funeral of Pope Francis overnight, he shares his experience from St Peters Square and explains his role in picking the next Pope.  Blogger at Large's Megan Singleton gives us tips to maximise the Airpoints you earn on your credit card and the panel debates whether taking selfies with the late Pope crosses an ethical line. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 27 Apr 2025 00:12:42 Z Erin O'Hara: naturopath and wellness expert reveals how to tell if your pelvic floor is tight or weak /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/erin-ohara-naturopath-and-wellness-expert-reveals-how-to-tell-if-your-pelvic-floor-is-tight-or-weak/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/erin-ohara-naturopath-and-wellness-expert-reveals-how-to-tell-if-your-pelvic-floor-is-tight-or-weak/ It’s a subject many would prefer not to think about, but there’s no avoiding the fact that people can struggle with issues with their pelvic floor. A weak pelvic floor can lead to issues with getting proper exercise - as well as other complications.  Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara reveals the signs and symptoms of a weak pelvic floor - and how to best treat this condition.  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 27 Apr 2025 00:05:38 Z Mike van de Elzen: Chicken Coq au Vin /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mike-van-de-elzen-chicken-coq-au-vin/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mike-van-de-elzen-chicken-coq-au-vin/ Chicken Coq au Vin  Cook time: 25 minutes  Prep time: 30 minutes  Serves: 6  6 large bone-in chicken thighs or legs   2 cups red wine   12 baby white onions, outer skin removed   2 tbsp sunflower oil   Flaky salt and white pepper   200gm button mushrooms   6 rashers streaky bacon   1 cube chicken stock dissolved in 1 cup water   ¼ cup chopped Italian parsley + extra for garnish   6 serves mashed potatoes  Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper and marinate in red wine for at least two hours in the fridge.   Preheat oven to 180*C.   Place the baby onions and mushrooms into a large casserole dish, toss with oil, salt and pepper and roast until the onions are tender (about 10 minutes)   Next heat a large cast iron pan and saute bacon till coloured. Remove bacon and chop into large pieces.   Remove chicken thighs from marinade and brown in the pan with a touch of oil. Cook the chicken in batches to avoid stewing. Once coloured place the chicken into the casserole dish Cover with bacon, onions, mushrooms, red wine, stock and parsley. Cover with tinfoil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove tin foil and continue to cook for a further 25 minutes.   To serve: spread a generous amount of parsnip mash on each plate. Spoon over the coq au vin and garnish with chopped Italian parsley.  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 26 Apr 2025 23:56:52 Z Dr Michelle Dickinson: nanotechnologist on scientists discovering a new colour with lasers /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-michelle-dickinson-nanotechnologist-on-scientists-discovering-a-new-colour-with-lasers/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-michelle-dickinson-nanotechnologist-on-scientists-discovering-a-new-colour-with-lasers/ Imagine seeing a colour so vivid, so unlike anything in nature, that your brain has no reference for it. That’s exactly what happened to five people who took part in an experiment published in the journal Science Advances this week.  The newly perceived colour, which is described as a hyper-saturated blue-green shade, has been named olo, and it unlocked a visual experience that was previously impossible with natural light alone.  To understand the experiment, we first need to understand how we see colour.  At the back of your eye lies the retina, which contains three types of photoreceptor cone cells - S, M, and L cones -each tuned to different wavelengths of light:  S cones respond to short, bluish wavelengths, M cones to medium, greenish wavelengths, L cones to long, reddish wavelengths.  Together, they allow your brain to mix and interpret the colours of the world around you. But here’s the catch: in nature, the M and L cones are almost always activated together due to how their sensitivities overlap. This means it's essentially impossible to isolate just the M cones with regular light. As a result, a truly pure green, seen by stimulating only M cones, is something no one had ever seen - until now.  The researchers used pinpoint lasers and advanced optics to stimulate individual photoreceptors in the human eye.  Using a laser no more powerful than a standard green laser pointer, the team was able to target cone cells with surgical precision.  First, they needed to create a cone map, a detailed image showing the exact arrangement of cone types on each participant’s retina. This map allowed the system to fire microscopic pulses of light solely at the M cones, leaving the others in darkness.  When volunteers looked into the laser system, they described a colour that doesn’t exist in nature. Some said it was like a supercharged peacock green, others just stared in amazement. As soon as the laser was adjusted to stimulate even a few non-M cones, the olo colour vanished and was replaced instantly by the familiar green of the laser.  The implications of this go far beyond a cool visual trick and open up new possibilities in both science and medicine. By allowing researchers to control cone cells at this level of precision, it may help us:  Understand how colour vision truly works on a cellular level, Simulate what it's like to lose certain types of vision, helping us study degenerative eye conditions like macular degeneration, Explore how to expand human perception, possibly giving people with colour blindness access to colours they've never seen before or even enable humans to experience tetrachromacy.  Sadly, most of us will never get to see olo ourselves, but its discovery is a powerful reminder of how much there is still to learn about the human body, even something as seemingly simple as colour.  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 26 Apr 2025 23:52:36 Z Steve Newall: Flicks.co.nz editor reviews Pink Floyd at Pompeii MCMLXXII /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/steve-newall-flicksconz-editor-reviews-pink-floyd-at-pompeii-mcmlxxii/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/steve-newall-flicksconz-editor-reviews-pink-floyd-at-pompeii-mcmlxxii/ One of the most distinctive concert films in rock history, Pink Floyd at Pompeii, has been rereleased to theatres - along with an accompanying soundtrack. Filmed in 1971 and released the following year, the film captures the band shortly before Dark Side of the Moon ushered in their most commercially successful phase. Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall recaps the experience - and explains whether or not this is worth the watch. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 26 Apr 2025 23:38:32 Z Dr Glenn Colquhoun and Dr Art Nahill: doctors launch Hīkoi for Health to raise awareness over struggling health system /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-glenn-colquhoun-and-dr-art-nahill-doctors-launch-h%C4%ABkoi-for-health-to-raise-awareness-over-struggling-health-system/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-glenn-colquhoun-and-dr-art-nahill-doctors-launch-h%C4%ABkoi-for-health-to-raise-awareness-over-struggling-health-system/ Sick of inaction from politicians around our ailing health system, two Kiwi doctors are taking matters into their own hands.  GP Dr Glenn Colquhoun and general hospital physician Dr Art Nahill yesterday launched Hīkoi for Health: A People’s Inquiry. They’ve hit the road in a bright yellow 'vanbulance' in a bid to protest the state of the health system - and collect stories from people who've been impacted by the health system. "I've gradually seen conditions, both for patients and for healthcare providers, deteriorate - to the point where I didn't feel like I could bear anymore of what I would call moral injury from trying to treat and discharge patients in a broken system." LISTEN ABOVE  Sat, 26 Apr 2025 23:22:22 Z Thomas Coughlan: NZ Herald deputy political editor on Chris Bishop's announcements about roading projects /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/thomas-coughlan-nz-herald-deputy-political-editor-on-chris-bishops-announcements-about-roading-projects/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/thomas-coughlan-nz-herald-deputy-political-editor-on-chris-bishops-announcements-about-roading-projects/ Works toward improved public transport for northwest Auckland are a step closer after an investment case was endorsed by the Transport Agency, the Minister of Transport says. The announcement on the Northwest Rapid Transit plan - which includes public transport on State Highway 16 (SH16) from Brigham Creek to the city centre and a Northwest Busway - was made by Chris Bishop earlier in the week. NZ Herald deputy political editor Thomas Coughlan explains further. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 26 Apr 2025 23:08:14 Z Jo McKenna: Rome correspondent on the crowds of people who turned up to pay tribute to the Pope /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/jo-mckenna-rome-correspondent-on-the-crowds-of-people-who-turned-up-to-pay-tribute-to-the-pope/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/jo-mckenna-rome-correspondent-on-the-crowds-of-people-who-turned-up-to-pay-tribute-to-the-pope/ There's been an outpouring of support from all over the world as thousands gathered to pay tribute to Pope Francis. The 88-year-old pontiff has been laid to rest at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. At least 400,000 mourners, including hundreds of foreign dignitaries, paid their respects last night at Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican. Rome correspondent Jo McKenna says she saw flags from Croatia, Latin America and Germany - to name a few. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 26 Apr 2025 22:53:05 Z John Dew: New Zealand Archbishop Cardinal on Pope Francis' funeral /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/john-dew-new-zealand-archbishop-cardinal-on-pope-francis-funeral/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/john-dew-new-zealand-archbishop-cardinal-on-pope-francis-funeral/ A sea of mourners watched on, as the Vatican bid a final farewell to Pope Francis last night. The 88-year-old pontiff has now been laid to rest at Rome's Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Hundreds of thousands filled out Saint Peter's Square and surrounding areas to catch a glimpse of the funeral. New Zealand Archbishop Cardinal John Dew was among the crowd - and he said it was a 'lovely' ceremony. "I think there were 50 heads of state here - from 50 different countries. I thought that just spoke volumes of the fact that that many people would make the effort to get to Rome for his funeral." LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 26 Apr 2025 22:25:48 Z Episode 11: Rebecca Gibney, Richard Roxburgh and Peter Gresta and Amanda Knox /on-air/the-sunday-session/great-chats-with-francesca-rudkin/episode-11-rebecca-gibney-richard-roxburgh-and-peter-gresta-and-amanda-knox/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/great-chats-with-francesca-rudkin/episode-11-rebecca-gibney-richard-roxburgh-and-peter-gresta-and-amanda-knox/ In this edition of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, actress Rebecca Gibney opens up about her newest TV project and the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone. Richard Roxburgh and journalist Peter Gresta joined Francesca to discuss their new movie The Correspondent - where Roxburgh portrays Gresta's 2013 arrest in Egypt. And Amanda Knox tells her story of being wrongly convicted of murdering her flatmate in Italy in 2007 and surviving 4 years in prison in her new book Flee. Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin brings you the best interviews from 九一星空无限talk ZB's The Sunday Session.  Listen on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 24 Apr 2025 02:53:00 Z Rachel Fairburn and Kiri Pritchard-McLean: comedians discuss shared passion for true crime ahead of New Zealand Comedy Fest /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/rachel-fairburn-and-kiri-pritchard-mclean-comedians-discuss-shared-passion-for-true-crime-ahead-of-new-zealand-comedy-fest/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/rachel-fairburn-and-kiri-pritchard-mclean-comedians-discuss-shared-passion-for-true-crime-ahead-of-new-zealand-comedy-fest/ While true crime might not be the obvious pick for comedy-based content, a familiar duo have leaned into the genre. In All Killa No Filla, comedians Rachel Fairburn and Kiri Pritchard-McLane explore their shared passion for serial killer cases.  Ahead of their planned stops in New Zealand for the Comedy Festival, the duo opened up about their comedic podcast. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 20 Apr 2025 01:32:43 Z Reb Fountain: Kiwi alt-folk singer talks new album and tour /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/reb-fountain-kiwi-alt-folk-singer-talks-new-album-and-tour/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/reb-fountain-kiwi-alt-folk-singer-talks-new-album-and-tour/ Singer-songwriter Reb Fountain is back with a new album blending folk, art-pop and rock - How Love Bends. Released in March, Reb and her band have wasted no time getting it out there with a new nationwide tour. This is Reb's first full album since Covid-19 happened , and she's looking forward to promoting her work without the lockdowns and restrictions getting in the way. "This one - it feels like it's a whole new experience to be sharing it with everyone while we can walk around and I can come and do interviews and play shows." LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 20 Apr 2025 01:17:53 Z Whitcoulls Recommends: Nobody’s Fool and Northbound /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/whitcoulls-recommends-nobody-s-fool-and-northbound/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/whitcoulls-recommends-nobody-s-fool-and-northbound/ Nobody’s Fool by Harlan Coben. A former detective turned private investigator is stunned when the woman he thought had died 22 years ago suddenly appears in the back of a lecture he’s giving, and as soon as they make eye contact, disappears. Her death has haunted him all these years but the possibility she could still be alive has never occurred to him – and now he needs to track her down and find out the truth. From the pen (or the keyboard!) of a terrific and well established thriller writer. Northbound by Naomi Arnold. Naomi is a local journalist who decided to walk the entire length of the Te Araroa trail on her own. There have been books from other people about taking on that challenge, but hers is a really gritty, no holds barred account of the slog of it – the mud, the fear, the loneliness and the exhilaration of achieving something so momentous, all by herself. It’s clear there’s a very caring network on the trail even though the walkers pass one another like ships in the night. There’s also a lot of kindness from people around who keep an eye out on them and offer food and support. This book is a lovesong to the trail and the NZ outdoors; and to the power of communities.  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 20 Apr 2025 01:04:54 Z Megan Singleton: BloggerAtLarge.com writer with her tips for handling currency overseas /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/megan-singleton-bloggeratlargecom-writer-with-her-tips-for-handling-currency-overseas/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/megan-singleton-bloggeratlargecom-writer-with-her-tips-for-handling-currency-overseas/ The world is getting complicated and new methods to handle cash while travelling overseas are popping up - but which tools work the best? The Wise card has gotten plenty of attention within the travel community and it allows you to hold and exchange money in 40+ different currencies and spend in 170+ countries. BloggerAtLarge.com writer Megan Singleton has reviewed the card - read her thoughts here. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 20 Apr 2025 00:59:24 Z The Sunday Panel: Should we be surprised by Trump's latest statement on Ukraine? /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/the-sunday-panel-should-we-be-surprised-by-trumps-latest-statement-on-ukraine/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/the-sunday-panel-should-we-be-surprised-by-trumps-latest-statement-on-ukraine/ This week on The Sunday Panel, 九一星空无限talk ZB host Roman Travers and partner at Freebairn and Hehir lawyers, Liam Hehir, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Donald Trump said he could stop the Ukraine war in 24 hours, but he's recently been threatening to abandon peace talks. Should we have seen this coming? The all-female Blue Origin flight has copped some backlash - do we think this was just a spectacle or did it help further women in STEM? A new year brings renewed debate about the future of Easter trading laws. Do we need to get rid of them and open up the shops every day? Should we scrap holiday surcharges too? LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 20 Apr 2025 00:47:11 Z Erin O'Hara: naturopath and wellness expert reveals how jump training can improve bone health /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/erin-ohara-naturopath-and-wellness-expert-reveals-how-jump-training-can-improve-bone-health/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/erin-ohara-naturopath-and-wellness-expert-reveals-how-jump-training-can-improve-bone-health/ Jumping has been found to have plenty of health benefits - and it may even reduce the risk of osteoporosis. New research has revealed jump training is highly beneficial for osteoporosis and improving bone density, particularly in the femoral neck, a part of the hip. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara reveals how we can utilise jumping to stay healthy. LISTEN ABOVE  Sun, 20 Apr 2025 00:15:59 Z Mike van de Elzen: Hot cross bread, butter and custard pudding /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mike-van-de-elzen-hot-cross-bread-butter-and-custard-pudding/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mike-van-de-elzen-hot-cross-bread-butter-and-custard-pudding/ Hot cross bread, butter & custard pudding 6 hot cross buns 4 eggs 500 ml cream 1/2 cup soft brown sugar 1 tsp vanilla paste 1 tbsp butter 1 tbsp icing sugar Vanilla custard 500 ml cream 500 ml milk 1 vanilla pod 200 gm sugar 5 egg yolks 80 gm cornflour Start by preheating your oven to 160*c Make up the custard by heating the cream and milk along with the vanilla bean which has been cut in half adding in the seeds and the pod. Place the egg yolks and sugar into a S/S bowl and carefully whisk in the hot cream, removing the vanilla pod at the end. Place the custard mix into a clean pot, adding in the cornflour. Continue to whisk and cook out the custard over a medium heat until thick and velvety. Take a 25cm casserole dish and lightly butter the inside. Cut the tops off the hot cross buns and butter them with the remaining butter and set aside. Cube the bottoms of the hot cross buns. Combine the cream, whole eggs, brown sugar and vanilla paste. Add in the cubed hot cross buns. Then pour into the roasting tray, Spoon over the custard (reserving some if you wish) then top with bun tops. Brush the tops with water and dust over the icing sugar. Bake for 40-45 minutes and allow to sit before eating. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 20 Apr 2025 00:07:18 Z Dr Michelle Dickinson: nanotechnologist on the new trick to hearing conversations in noisy places /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-michelle-dickinson-nanotechnologist-on-the-new-trick-to-hearing-conversations-in-noisy-places/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-michelle-dickinson-nanotechnologist-on-the-new-trick-to-hearing-conversations-in-noisy-places/ Have you ever found yourself nodding along in a noisy bar, pretending to understand your friend’s story, but truthfully, you’re just hoping for a quieter moment to catch the plot?   You’re not alone. Hearing conversation in loud environments is something many of us struggle with. But thanks to a new study published in the journal Proceedings Of The Royal Society B - science might have a simple fix!  All you need to do is tap your fingers to a beat, before the talking starts.  The researchers explored whether rhythmic motor priming, like tapping your finger to a beat, could help your brain process speech more efficiently in noisy environments. Participants listened to long sentences buried in background noise. Right before the sentence began, some were asked to tap along to a beat at different speeds, like one tap every half-second or so. The other participants didn’t tap at all.  After the sentence, all participants had to identify a word they’d just heard.  They found that the people who tapped at a specific rhythm, around 1.5 to 2 times per second, did noticeably better at understanding the sentence, even in the noisy environment.  It turns out that this tapping rate lines up with the natural pace of words in human speech (called the “lexical rate”) and helps your brain tune in more effectively. Think of it like syncing up your brain's "listening rhythm" with the speaker’s flow.  The study also supports a growing idea in neuroscience: our motor system (the one that moves your body) also plays a role in how we listen. When we move rhythmically, even just by tapping a finger, it seems to help our brains track the rhythm of speech.  It’s an easy, no-tech, zero-cost hack to try the next time you are in a noisy café or busy dinner party. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 20 Apr 2025 00:04:23 Z Steve Newall: Flicks.co.nz editor on Fyre Festival 2 getting postponed with no date confirmed /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/steve-newall-flicksconz-editor-on-fyre-festival-2-getting-postponed-with-no-date-confirmed/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/steve-newall-flicksconz-editor-on-fyre-festival-2-getting-postponed-with-no-date-confirmed/ Fyre Festival 2 has officially been postponed - less than two months before the event was said to be taking place. The organisers have reportedly postponed the event that was set for May 30 to June 2, and no new dates have been revealed. Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall speculates about the event's future following this latest update. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 19 Apr 2025 23:58:44 Z Blake Schimanski: Kiwi runner plans to run the length of New Zealand to raise money and awareness for youth mental health /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/blake-schimanski-kiwi-runner-plans-to-run-the-length-of-new-zealand-to-raise-money-and-awareness-for-youth-mental-health/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/blake-schimanski-kiwi-runner-plans-to-run-the-length-of-new-zealand-to-raise-money-and-awareness-for-youth-mental-health/ Blake Schimanski has taken on the challenge of running the length of New Zealand - from Bluff to Cape Reinga - within the month of April. Through his campaign ‘Run Aotearoa’, he aims to raise $100,000 for youth mental health efforts, with the goal of creating 'positive change. With 10 days left to go, he says he's been averaging out 80 kilometres a day. "There's a lot of stuff you don't really know until you start - and I'm learning a lot along the way, it's been a bit of a challenge."  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 19 Apr 2025 23:51:29 Z Debbie Fairbrother: Super Pressure Project Manager at NASA on the balloon release from Wānaka Airport /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/debbie-fairbrother-super-pressure-project-manager-at-nasa-on-the-balloon-release-from-w%C4%81naka-airport/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/debbie-fairbrother-super-pressure-project-manager-at-nasa-on-the-balloon-release-from-w%C4%81naka-airport/ A stadium sized balloon has successfully launched from Wānaka Airport - after several cancellations. The super-pressure NASA balloon will travel the Southern Hemisphere’s mid-latitudes for planned missions of 100 days or more.  It's the sixth balloon operation in New Zealand since 2015, with two balloons successfully launched from Wānaka in 2023. NASA's Debbie Fairbrother says safety was a key priority in getting the balloon launched.  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 19 Apr 2025 23:31:46 Z Jamie Ensor: NZ Herald political reporter ahead of Chris Luxon's upcoming trip to the UK /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/jamie-ensor-nz-herald-political-reporter-ahead-of-chris-luxons-upcoming-trip-to-the-uk/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/jamie-ensor-nz-herald-political-reporter-ahead-of-chris-luxons-upcoming-trip-to-the-uk/ The Prime Minister departs today for the United Kingdom, before travelling to Gallipoli in time for ANZAC Day.  Trade, security and the current geopolitical climate are on the agenda, when Chris Luxon meets with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.  Luxon says he'll discuss what more the pair can do to support the rules-based trading system, a chat coming off the back of phone calls to world leaders amid Donald Trump's tariffs.   NZ Herald political reporter Jamie Ensor says the pair will likely discuss how to strengthen their trade partnership.  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 19 Apr 2025 23:20:21 Z Dr Kat Bolstad: AUT Associate Professor on scientists capturing footage of a colossal squid /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-kat-bolstad-aut-associate-professor-on-scientists-capturing-footage-of-a-colossal-squid/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-kat-bolstad-aut-associate-professor-on-scientists-capturing-footage-of-a-colossal-squid/ World-first video footage of the elusive colossal squid has been captured by US researchers. It lives in the deep Antarctic waters, can reach up to seven metres in length, and weighs up to 500 kilograms. Schmidt Ocean Institute’s remote drone filmed a baby colossal squid alive 600 metres down in its environment for the first time. AUT Associate Professor and squid expert Dr Kat Bolstad says this is a very 'exciting' development.  "We've been studying these animals, we've known about them for a century - personally, I've been studying them for over 20 years." LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 19 Apr 2025 23:08:59 Z Carolyn Young: Retail NZ Chief Executive on the growing number of retailers calling for an end to Easter trading hours /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/carolyn-young-retail-nz-chief-executive-on-the-growing-number-of-retailers-calling-for-an-end-to-easter-trading-hours/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/carolyn-young-retail-nz-chief-executive-on-the-growing-number-of-retailers-calling-for-an-end-to-easter-trading-hours/ Limited Easter trading hours are bringing extra financial burdens for businesses according to retailers. The Retail Radar survey shows almost 70 percent of retailers are concerned about the cost of living - with merchant fees also top of mind.  The law says local council have the final say on when businesses are allowed to open.  Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young says these restrictions are 'outdated' and don't reflect the current market. "When these laws were first established, we didn't have the internet, people weren't shopping 24/7 online any day they wanted - and families work in different ways and shopping is available in different ways." LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 19 Apr 2025 22:51:58 Z Francesca Rudkin: We need to simplify Easter trading hours /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-we-need-to-simplify-easter-trading-hours/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-we-need-to-simplify-easter-trading-hours/ If you live in a city, there is something quite special about waking up on Good Friday - to the sound of silence. There are no cars on the road, no hum of traffic in the distance, no sound of people going about their day-to-day routines. My first thought on Friday was - it’s like Christmas Day. My second thought wasn’t as pleasant - it’s like lockdown. But the feeling was the same - how nice the world is when it pauses for a moment. But as much as I appreciate these few days a year when many get to stop, the crazy rush, chock-a-block carparks and supermarkets on Thursday and Saturday made me wonder whether it’s worth it.  We don’t seem to be able to cope, or prepare, for supermarkets to shut. If we weren’t down on hot cross buns, I certainly wouldn’t have made the trip to my local. It’s lovely having Friday and Sunday off, but not, if the days around it are a nightmare. We have been talking about the inconsistencies and confusion around retail laws over Easter for as long as I can remember. What is open and shut depends on where you are in the country; sometimes where you are in a city. Don’t forget it’s the local authority which decides whether stores can open or not.   It depends on what you’re selling. There are strange restrictions on what can be sold, and you must be selling something that people can’t put off buying until the next day. But you can get a haircut. And just to make it even more confusing - the Shop Trading Hours Act covers both public holidays, and days that aren’t public holidays, such as Easter Sunday. I think it’s time to let people decide for themselves how they want to spend their Easter. Whether they open their businesses, work or shop, or do none of the above and quietly go about their day.  We’ve been arguing forever the merits of a day off and people being able to spend time with family and friends, or businesses being able to make the most of people wanting to spend money and get jobs done.  We have spoken about employees facing pressure from their employers to work over Easter when they would prefer not to. And how there are plenty of employees who would happily take the benefits of working a public holiday.  Let’s not forget online retailers can sell you whatever they like on these days.  What a minefield of confusion. Let’s just bite the bullet, simplify the laws, make sure employees are protected, and let businesses decide if they open or not, and get on like it’s 2025 and not 1990.  I’m also pleased sense is being shown around the purchase of alcohol over Easter. Labour MP Kieran McAnulty’s Bill to change rules around alcohol sales on ANZAC Day morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas was voted through its first reading a week or so ago.  Currently, people must order a meal before having an alcoholic beverage at a restaurant or pub. Once again, it’s all about simplifying the rules for both hospo, tourists, and Kiwis catching up at a restaurant over the holiday period. And there are a lot of businesses who would appreciate it being simpler to make a buck. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 19 Apr 2025 22:33:13 Z Yvonne Strahovski: Australian actress on what viewers can expect from the final season of The Handmaid's Tale /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/yvonne-strahovski-australian-actress-on-what-viewers-can-expect-from-the-final-season-of-the-handmaids-tale/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/yvonne-strahovski-australian-actress-on-what-viewers-can-expect-from-the-final-season-of-the-handmaids-tale/ The final season of The Handmaid's Tale started airing on Neon last week, and actress Yvonne Strahovski is looking back on her creative journey after six seasons.  Strahovski co-stars as Serena Joy Waterford - an architect and prisoner of the show's dystopian regime.  She says it's been an 'extraordinary' journey taking on the role of Serena. "This has been such an amazing opportunity for me to be so challenged and grow and work on my craft, my artistry - everything I want to do as a performer."  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 13 Apr 2025 01:33:45 Z Peter Greste and Richard Roxburgh: jailed journalist and actor join forces for The Correspondent /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/peter-greste-and-richard-roxburgh-jailed-journalist-and-actor-join-forces-for-the-correspondent/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/peter-greste-and-richard-roxburgh-jailed-journalist-and-actor-join-forces-for-the-correspondent/ In December 2013, Australian journalist Peter Greste was arrested in Egypt and charged with aiding a terrorist organisation. What followed was 400 days of incarceration, solitary confinement, interrogations, a politically motivated trial and complete uncertainty in a corrupt legal system. Peter’s story and fight for freedom has been turned into a film, The Correspondent, staring veteran Australian actor Richard Roxburgh. "It felt like it was an even more urgent story to tell - the simple fact is, journalists used to be protected by the Geneva Convention and they're now regarded as fair game in theatres of war, and also in the White House now." LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 13 Apr 2025 01:06:29 Z Whitcoulls Recommends: The Death of Us and A Spy at War /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/whitcoulls-recommends-the-death-of-us-and-a-spy-at-war/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/whitcoulls-recommends-the-death-of-us-and-a-spy-at-war/ The Death of Us by Abigail Dean. Isabel is a lead protagonist in this story, who throughout much of the book directly addresses the intruder who perpetrated a home invasion on her and her husband Edward when they were 30 years old and happily married, but those days are long gone. More than 20 years later, they reunite to attend the trial of a man finally charged with the crime, trying to reconcile their lives before, and after. This is gripping psychological drama. A Spy at War by Charles Beaumont. Simon Sharman is a former British spy gone rogue to track down the Chechen assassin who murdered his friend and business partner Evie. He’s a man alone, but his friends and former colleagues in Whitehall are never far away and it turns out there’s much more going on than his solitary pursuit of the bad guy – British intelligence has its fingers in several pies and it takes Simon a while to figure out his place in their schemes. Set amidst the war in Ukraine and the kind of news headlines we’ve seen for three years now, this story takes you right up close to some of the action and its commentary on US and European politics could be said to be prescient. It’s terrific espionage and if, like me, you love David McCloskey and I.S.Berry, this one’s for you.  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 13 Apr 2025 00:51:06 Z Megan Singleton: BloggerAtLarge.com writer with her top things to do in Palm Springs /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/megan-singleton-bloggeratlargecom-writer-with-her-top-things-to-do-in-palm-springs/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/megan-singleton-bloggeratlargecom-writer-with-her-top-things-to-do-in-palm-springs/ People will be flocking to Palm Springs over the next couple of weeks for Coachella 2025, but BloggerAtLarge's Megan Singleton promises there's more to see than music festivals. Between the iconic Joshua trees, the resorts, the mountain tours and the dining options, Megan's revealed how you can make the most of Palm Springs. Read more about Megan's top picks here. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 13 Apr 2025 00:44:16 Z The Sunday Panel: What does the Trump tariff turmoil mean for New Zealand? /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/the-sunday-panel-what-does-the-trump-tariff-turmoil-mean-for-new-zealand/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/the-sunday-panel-what-does-the-trump-tariff-turmoil-mean-for-new-zealand/ This week on the Sunday Panel, 九一星空无限talk ZB Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills and TV producer and commentator Irene Gardiner joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!   Labour MP Kieran McAnulty has introduced a bill set to change rules around alcohol sales on ANZAC Day morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas. The bill recently passed its first reading. Do we need to change the current laws? How will these changes help the hospitality industry? Trump's tariff turmoil continues - with the administration exempting smartphones, computers and some other electronic devices from the extra costs involved. What do we make of this? Are we still concerned about how this will impact New Zealand? Will we watch the Phillip Polkinghorne documentary? Do we think it will be done well? LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 13 Apr 2025 00:36:10 Z