The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

Engelbert Humperdinck's been dubbed the 'king of romance' - with a long-running musical career to show for it. Rising to fame alongside The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, he's released 64 albums, been nominated for four Grammys and one Golden Globe, and he's kept the attention of millions of listeners over 60 years. He turned 90 last month and he's still going strong, with his Celebration Tour set to arrive in New Zealand later in the month. "I've been so used to travelling and doing my thing, it's second nature to me, I don't worry about things like that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over a decade after Rove Live went off the air, comedian Rove McManus is making his big return to TV. His new show, Celebrity Escape, will be available on Three and Three Now from Tuesday, and it's set to showcase comedians from both sides of the Tasman. McManus says he was expecting someone to step in and fill his shoes after he left for America after the end of Rove Live, but so far, no one's been able to. "Obviously, other shows did come through, but they didn't last or have the same impact - and then, of course, as the nature of the way people watch things changed - that probably has an effect on it as well." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whistler by Ann Patchett. Daphne Fuller has had three stepfathers, the second of whom vanished from her life when she was nine years old after an accident for which her mother held him responsible. Years later, their chance meeting in a NY museum brings memories, regrets and a determination to make up for lost time. This is a wonderful book about the power of redemption, and families, and of storytelling. Stakes by Noelle McCarthy. Readers who, like me, adored Noelle McCarthy's memoir Grand will love this. It's a remarkably honest, candid and brave account of grappling with life's troubles - shame, trauma and an early influence which provided something to hang onto through her adult years and which manifests itself in both literary and personal ways. She's an extraordinary writer and her book is wonderful. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes life can happen and your bag suffers wear and tear - but sometimes the airlines can be blamed for property damage too. If you've noticed an airline has damaged your bag, you can get repairs or a replacement by utilising your insurance, but it's important to fie a report before you leave the airport. BloggerAtLarge writer Megan Singleton unveiled the steps you need to take. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Sunday Panel, partner at Freebairn and Hehir Lawyers Liam Hehir and editor and journalist Jo McCarroll joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! There's been plenty of announcements on the future of the health sector, all centred around primary care and taking pressures off. Is this a smarter way to work to utilise the workforce we already have? Do we think this is meaningful change to lighten the workload on primary care? Anthropic has warned AI could soon build itself - and they're calling for a slowdown. Should we take this seriously, or is this virtue signalling? McDonald's New Zealand turns 50 today - what are our best memories? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 7 June. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Budget 2026 offered up more money for healthcare, specifically hospitals and frontline services. However, experts believe more money could be directed towards primary healthcare and focus on prevention. Naturopath Erin O'Hara outlined what needs to change. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pear crumble with pouring cream and burnt blackberry marshmallow Crumble mix 200 gm unsalted butter 150 gm raw sugar 200 gm plain flour 50 gm wholemeal flour 50 gm chopped dates Preheat oven to 170*C. Blitz all of the ingredients until just combined, apart from the dates. Spread the mix out on 1 large baking tray. Bake for 15 minutes, remove from oven. Add in the dates and turn the mix over with a spatula or wooden spoon then return to the oven for a further 15 minutes until crunchy and golden. Allow to cool, before crushing into slightly smaller pieces. Pear, apple and berry filling 500 packman pears, peeled and chopped 500 gm granny smith apples, peeled and chopped 200 gm frozen blackberries 150 gm sultanas 100 gm raw sugar 2 tbsp sunflower oil Keep the pears and apples in cold lemon water whilst preparing them, to avoid turning brown In a large saucepan over a high heat sauté the apples, pears in the oil until they just start to gain a touch of colour and soften. Remove and in a large bowl combine with the remaining ingredients. Pouring cream 250 ml cream 1 tbsp vanilla paste Icing sugar if required Combine the pouring cream with the vanilla paste and set aside Blackberry marshmallow 350 gm caster sugar 30 gm liquid glucose 80 ml water 180 gm or 6 egg whites 1 tbsp freeze-dried blackberries Bring the sugar and water together in a pot and heat till 110*c, keeping the sides of the pot clean with a brush dipped in cold water. Start beating your egg whites at this stage, you want the egg whites to be stiff before adding the sugar, turn down to a medium speed to stabilize whites before adding sugar. When the sugar reaches 120*c, take of the heat and slowly pour over the egg whites. Turn the mixer up faster as the sugar blends in. Continue to beat until the egg whites are cool and glossy. Fold through the blackberry powder and place mixture into piping bags ready. To serve: Preheat the oven to 160*c Put 2-3 big spoonsful of the apple mix into the average sized cups (about 250ml capacity), then top with the same amount of the crumble mix. Place into the oven for 25 minutes insuring the crumble mixture doesn't colour any further. Remove the crumbles from the oven and pipe over a dollop of marshmallow, using a blow torch then to burn the top. Just before serving the pour a tbsp of cream into the crumble. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Humans have used homing pigeons to carry messages across vast distances since ancient times. They delivered military intelligence during wars, business communications before telegraphs existed, and even love letters between separated families. Yet despite our long history with these remarkable birds, one mystery has remained unsolved: how do pigeons always know where home is? Scientists have known for decades that pigeons use a combination of clues to navigate. They can recognize landmarks, use the position of the Sun, and even detect smells carried by the wind. But researchers have long suspected there was another navigation system at work, one that allows pigeons to find their way even when the sky is completely overcast. A new study published in the journal Science may have uncovered the answer, and it's stranger than anyone expected. The compass might be hiding inside the pigeon's liver. Many animals appear capable of sensing Earth's magnetic field. Migratory birds travel thousands of kilometres with astonishing accuracy. Sea turtles return to the beaches where they were born. Sharks navigate across entire oceans. Scientists call this ability magnetoreception, the capacity to detect Earth's magnetic field and use it like a compass. The problem is that nobody has been entirely sure how animals do it. Now researchers have identified something unexpected: specialised immune cells called macrophages in pigeon livers that contain large amounts of iron. Normally, macrophages help clean up the body by removing old red blood cells. Because red blood cells contain iron, these liver macrophages gradually accumulate iron-rich particles. What surprised researchers was that these particles appear to have a property called superparamagnetism. The team discovered that these iron-rich macrophages sit close to nerve fibres inside the liver. That means they may be able to detect changes in Earth's magnetic field and pass that information directly to the brain. To test the theory, the researchers trained 34 homing pigeons to return home from a location 19 kilometres away. Half of the birds were then given a treatment that temporarily removed these specialised macrophages from their livers. The next day, the pigeons were released under completely overcast skies. Every pigeon with an intact liver compass found its way home within about an hour. The pigeons whose macrophages had been removed became hopelessly disoriented. They flew in random directions and none returned home that day. When the Sun came out again, those same pigeons were suddenly able to navigate normally. Their flight ability hadn't been affected. They weren't sick. They simply seemed unable to determine direction when they couldn't see the Sun. The study suggests that pigeons may possess two different navigation systems. The first relies on familiar cues such as the Sun and visual landmarks. The second appears to rely on magnetic information gathered by specialised immune cells in the liver. When one system becomes unavailable, the other takes over. If confirmed, this would be one of the most surprising examples yet of how biology repurposes ordinary cells for extraordinary tasks. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2026 New Zealand International Film Festival will kick off later this winter, and the organisers have revealed what titles fans can expect to see. The first films confirmed for the 2026 programme include Comédie-Française, Jim Jarmusch's Father Mother Sister Brother, a documentary about All Black Jonah Lomu and queer classic Mysterious Skin. Entertainment correspondent Steve Newall explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crimson founder Jamie Beaton is on a mission to find and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. In a joint venture with Icehouse, five high school students will be offered a fully funded scholarship to Crimson Global Academy and provided a yearlong immersive experience to pursue their entrepreneurial ambitions. Beaton says entrepreneurship is one of the most exciting careers out there, because it helps people be creative and create future jobs. "I want more young Kiwis able to do this, and I want them able to do it earlier in their lives. And through my work at Crimson, I've seen many entrepreneurs who are 20 years old, 24 years old in Silicon Valley, and I want New Zealand to be this kind of startup nation." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Sunday marks a historic milestone for McDonald's New Zealand, with the franchise turning 50. What began as a single restaurant in Porirua in 1976 has grown into a network of 177 restaurants, with thousands of employees and 53 local franchises. McDonald's managing director Kylie Freeland says McDonald's was initially focused on expanding out to bigger countries, but a convincing business case saw New Zealand being one of the first countries to get one. "By 1991, we had 50 restaurants and between 1991-97, we doubled that to 100 restaurants. Today, we have 177, but we've got another 6 opening this year." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a view it's been an overall successful trip for the Prime Minister across the Tasman. Christopher Luxon returned from Queensland after meeting with his counterpart Anthony Albanese with a group of New Zealand businesses. Luxon has been making the pitch for New Zealand to be involved in building infrastructure for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says both nations are allies, and it's important for Luxon to keep the working relationship going. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sentencing laws are back in the headlines - and will likely play a part in this year's election campaigning. This week, a news article about the sentencing and early release of George Starling, a repeat sexual offender, reignited the debate about New Zealand's sentencing laws. It's easy to see why - it's one of many examples of how a punishment doesn't appear to fit the crime, and gives the impression we have a system favouring offenders over victims. Starling was convicted of drugging and raping a woman in 2011. She was one of two victims on the same night. He was not charged until 2020, and by then had served time for a 2011 rape of a third woman. He was found guilty and the judge set a sentencing start point of 10 years' imprisonment. However, once discounts had been applied - for youth and prior good character - the final sentence was reduced by 40 percent, resulting in a prison term of six years. He was also credited for his prior jail sentence, which judges are required by law to take into consideration, and a head injury he sustained after the offending. Then comes how parole works - under New Zealand law, offenders who are not subject to a minimum non-parole period and are serving sentences of more than two years become eligible for parole after serving one-third of their sentence. As a result, a six-year sentence may lead to parole consideration after two years. Release is not automatic, but if the Parole Board determines an offender no longer poses an undue risk to the community parole may be granted. In this case, the parole board cited Starling's low risk, and that he had not offended after his first prison sentence. After all this maths, the result was Starling was released after serving less than two years. This case highlights the ongoing tension between rehabilitation-focused justice and public expectations of accountability and deterrence. The arguments for sentence discounts are that they encourage guilty pleas, reduce court costs, acknowledge personal circumstances and promote rehabilitation, while parole provides incentives for prisoners to address their offending behaviour. This is all well and good, except that this approach fails to adequately reflect the harm suffered by victims. It's little wonder victims of serious violence or sexual offending feel the legal process focuses heavily on the offender's circumstances while giving less weight to the long-term impacts of on their lives. One of Starling's victims stated they had only just began to put the ordeal behind them when they were notified by the parole board that Starling's first parole hearing was coming up. The challenge for policymakers is finding a balance between protecting victims' interests, ensuring public confidence in the justice system, and maintaining principles of fairness and rehabilitation for offenders. The National Party has already instigated sentencing changes, which came into force in June 2025, but recently announced that if it wins re-election it will prohibit judges from treating an offender's "good character" as a mitigating factor when sentencing for sexual offending, as well as increasing support for victims. It is a step in the right direction - because at present, cases with large discounts and early parole simply undermine public confidence in the justice system. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paramedics may have to undertake further training, so they can prescribe medicines. Planned changes to the Medicines Act are set to allow paramedics to be prescribers, with consultation underway on what medicines can be authorised. The Government says training programmes will be established for them to gain the necessary qualifications. Health Minister Simeon Brown says it's important New Zealand maximises its paramedic workforce to benefit communities. "Our paramedic workforce is probably best known for the work they do on ambulances, but paramedics also work in primary care and urgent care, and in a range of other areas in the community as well. So by expanding their scope of practice and allowing them to prescribe - it takes pressure off other parts of the workforce. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The working relationship between artist Lucian Freud and British super model Kate Moss is an unlikely pairing, but director James Lucas wanted to bring it to life on film. In 2002, Freud painted Naked Portrait of Moss while she was pregnant with her daughter, which was the beginning of an unusual friendship between the pair. James Lucas managed to get Kate Moss herself on board as an executive producer when it came time to create Moss & Freud. "The incongruity of their relationship definitely piqued my interest very early on, I actually remember the painting being done at the time, I was there in London and it really did intrigue me." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi singer-songwriter Georgia Lines has returned for her yearly interview on the Sunday Session, and she's got some big news. She's relocated to Nashville, but she's been working hard on her creative projects. Her new album, Live At The Civic, is out on June 5th, and she says it captures a unique performance and experience. "It was one of those things that was like - let's just record it and let's capture it anyway, and then we can make a decision later on. And I'm so grateful that we did...it just makes me so emotional - look what I got to do." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray. Leila Reynolds is a relatively new barrister, married to Julian who's a Kings Counsel. They both work in the same legal chambers and one day she's assigned a case, defending a man who is accused of murdering a local well-respected judge. Things get complicated though when her husband Julian is assigned as the Crown Prosecutor in the case and they're up against each other in court. I read a lot of legal thrillers but this is a terrific example of the genre with twists and turns that keep coming right til the end. It's very good and very entertaining. John of John by Douglas Stuart. Douglas Stuart's first book Shuggie Bain won the Booker Prize in 2022. This new book is about a father and son who live in denial in a small, remote community where they keep secrets from each other and where their lives are lived according to what God and the neighbours might think. There's so much to love in it - the language is extraordinary, the writing exceptional, and it moves between old traditions and the modern world, and between generations, seamlessly. I can't recommend it highly enough. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rome draws in millions of tourists every year - and with more travellers comes more people looking to take advantage of them. The shell game, the friendship bracelet, the Colosseum ticket tout and the fake police officer are just some of the scams groups run on tourists in order to steal their money. BloggerAtLarge's Megan Singleton reveals how to get ahead of these scams - read more about it here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Sunday Panel, Resident Economist from Opes Partners, Ed McKnight, and TV producer, journalist and commentator, Irene Gardiner, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Budget 2026 was revealed last week, and it forecasts a return to surplus in the 2028/29 year. Some experts have raised questions over how likely this actually is - what do we think? Finance Minister Nicola Willis also indicated discussions about the future of NZ Super need to take place. Do we agree with this? Rum and raisin ice cream is back on the shelves - will we buy it? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boredom eating is a factor that can make all the difference in weight gain or weight loss - so how can we work around it? When you're snacking too much between meals, you're most likely consuming more food than your body needs, which can add to additional issues down the track. Wellness expert Erin O'Hara reveals her tips and strategies for breaking through boredom eating. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prep time: 30 minutes Serves: 6-8 2 cups red wine 1 cup fresh thyme 6 garlic cloves, crushed 12 baby white onions, outer skin removed, cut in half 2 tbsp oil Pinch flaky salt and white pepper 400 gm button mushrooms, cut in half 10 rashers streaky bacon 2 cubes chicken stock dissolved in 2 cups of water Cut the chicken legs in half between the drum and thigh. Cover the chicken in red wine, garlic and thyme and place in the fridge overnight to marinate. Preheat oven to 160*C. Heat a large cast iron pan until hot, add a touch of oil and then lay in the baby onions cut side down. Cook until well coloured before turning. Remove and repeat with the cut mushrooms before setting them aside. Finally saute bacon until fat is rendered out. Remove bacon and chop into large pieces, Keeping the bacon fat in the pan, gently heat. Remove chicken thighs from marinade and fry the chicken in batches to avoid stewing. When all coloured on both sides. Place the chicken back into the pan and slowly pour over the red wine marinate, including the garlic and thyme and reduce by half. (note if the pan is to small you can use a roasting tray instead). Top with the bacon, onions, mushrooms and stock. Cover with baking paper cook in oven for 45-60 minutes. The end result should be crispy chicken with a reduced sauce that is thick enough to coat the chicken. Serve with some creamy mash potatoes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For decades, one of the biggest challenges of sending humans to Mars hasn't just been getting there, it's getting back. Under current mission plans, astronauts could spend nearly three years completing a round trip to the Red Planet. The journey to Mars alone typically takes seven to ten months, and crews then have to wait for Earth and Mars to align again before returning home. But now, an accidental discovery published in the journal Acta astronautica and inspired by asteroid trajectories suggests that future Mars missions might one day take less than a year-round trip. The idea came from a scientist who was studying near-Earth asteroids - specifically how scientists estimate their trajectories when first discovered. One asteroid caught his attention: 2001 CA21. Early calculations suggested the asteroid followed an unusual orbital path that crossed both Earth's and Mars' orbital regions. Later observations refined the asteroid's true trajectory, and the original estimates were essentially discarded. But the scientist noticed something fascinating hidden inside those early calculations. The geometry of the asteroid's path hinted at an ultra-fast route between Earth and Mars. Mars is much farther from the sun than Earth, and the planets are constantly moving around the sun at different speeds. To save fuel, spacecraft usually travel along carefully timed transfer orbits that take advantage of planetary alignment. These efficient routes are slower but practical. The problem is timing. Earth and Mars only line up properly for these fuel-efficient missions roughly every 26 months. Missing the return window means astronauts could be stranded waiting for another alignment. Using the new asteroid-inspired geometry, the researchers calculated that an extremely fast route to Mars could theoretically take as little as 34 days. The spacecraft would need to travel at around 32.5 kilometres per second which is far beyond the capabilities of current rockets. Also, arriving at Mars would be even more challenging. The spacecraft would hit the Martian system traveling so fast that current landing technologies couldn't safely slow it down. So while the 34-day mission is mathematically possible, it remains impractical with today's technology. Rather than focusing on the impossible extreme case, the researchers explored whether similar geometric paths could work during future Mars alignments using technology that may exist in the near future. And one opportunity stood out: the 2031 Mars opposition. According to the calculations, astronauts could potentially complete a round trip to Mars in about 153 days (roughly five months), or a lower-energy version lasting around 226 days (about 7.5 months) That's still dramatically shorter than the multi-year missions currently envisioned. The proposed mission profile would involve: A 33-day trip to Mars About one month on the Martian surface A 90-day return journey to Earth NASA's NASA probe New Horizons became the fastest spacecraft ever launched from Earth when it left for Pluto at around 16.26 kilometres per second. Future rockets like SpaceX Starship or Blue Origin New Glenn may eventually push those limits even further. One of the most fascinating parts of this story is that the discovery wasn't the result of a grand Mars mission plan. It came from a scientist noticing something unusual in old asteroid calculations that everyone else had moved past. Breakthroughs don't always emerge from people searching directly for answers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 31 May 2026, Kiwi singer songwriter Georgia Lines has a new album coming, she joined Francesca today to make the announcement live on the show, to talk about her new life in Nashville and the reality of Celebrity Treasure Island. Kate Moss is something of an enigma, shying away from interviews and turning down many requests for films and documentaries. However she agreed to the request of Oscar winning British Kiwi director James Lucas. James tells Francesca show he convinced Moss to be part of his new film Moss and Freud. New Zealand's gaming industry is booming, hitting $1 billion in revenue two years ahead of target. New Zealand Game Developers Association Executive Director Joy Keene talks about what is driving the success in the sector. Meanwhile, Francesca applauds the Government's long term approach to the budget. And Megan Singleton has details of the latest street scam happening in Europe and lets us know how to avoid it. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marlon Williams has taken out the top honours at this year's Aotearoa Music Awards. Williams was named Best Solo artist at the ceremony held at Auckland's Civic Theatre on Thursday night. His single, Aua Atu Rā, was named best of the year and his most recent record Te Whare Tīwekaweka was named Best Album. Entertainment correspondent Steve Newall explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The upcoming FIFA World Cup is a couple of weeks away, and excitement is growing. The players are coming together, New Zealand's own All Whites are on the ground - but there's another Kiwi set to play a signicant role at this year's event. Eden Park turf manager Blair Christiansen has been in the US for a couple of weeks - in his new role as pitch venue manager for New York New Jersey Stadium. "What I'll do is sort of just provide confidence, feedback, assistance, and sort of just linking a pretty big operation on an international sporting body to a local venue." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth says New Zealand is 'freeloading' off the American military. In an address at an Asia-Pacific security conference, Hegseth called for nations to spend 3.5 percent of GDP on defence. He says Wellington's plan to boost spending to 2 percent in the next eight years isn't enough. Political commentator Brigitte Morten says recent defence spending moves indicate the Government is aware the sector needs more funding - and they're making moves to boost it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's an expectation pharmacies will quickly take up expanded powers to treat patients for a range of common conditions. Under Health NZ's $5 million plan, pharmacists will be able to prescribe medicines for pain, head lice, conjunctivitis, urinary tract infections and the emergency contraceptive pill from Tuesday. Pharmaceutical Society of NZ President, Michael Hammond says all pharmacies can offer the service, but participation is optional. "They do have the time, because they're having these conversations with patients every day. So what the real change here is there's funding wrapped around it - and access to some funded pharmaceuticals." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a breakthrough year for New Zealand's video game industry. The sector hit its $1 billion annual revenue target two years early, and it's on track to double that figure by the end of the decade. NZ Game Developers Association executive director Joy Keene says there are quite a few factors behind this. "We're a very creative country, obviously, we have some number 8 wire kind of thinking. And couple that with the Government support that we've been receiving over the last few years, that has super-charged what our game developers have been able to do." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, it wasn't the most exciting Budget week was it? Finance Minister Nicola Willis' budget was designed around fiscal restraint, deficit reduction, and a return to operating surplus by 2028/29 (depending on the accounting measure used!). It does appear to make progress toward reducing spending growth. Major savings are expected from restructuring the public service and ending the final-year “fees free” tertiary policy. Whether these cuts are fully achievable is uncertain. The plan to reduce around 8700 public-sector jobs by 2029 relies on agency mergers, technology adoption, and continued restraint across departments. That's a lot to get done right. Critics argue these reductions may prove politically difficult due to differences between the coalition parties. On the revenue side, the Government introduced a new levy on banks and insurers and adjusted several tax settings, but the Budget largely depends on stronger future growth to lift tax receipts over time to make the numbers work. The Government also attempted to address productivity and long-term growth through increased capital investment in infrastructure, defence, hospitals, schools, vocational training, and technology development. Supporters argue these investments will improve economic capacity over time. Critics contend we still lack a comprehensive productivity strategy and under-invest in innovation and business growth. So it's not an aspirational Budget. Or an interesting one. It's not a Budget that is going to seriously address inequality and inequity in NZ. It's a back to basics, practical Budget and pretty much what we were expecting. But what I do like, and what makes this Budget distinctive, is the medium and long-term approach which, considering the pickle we're in, is refreshingly grown-up. This is a Budget focused on long-term economic management rather than near-term popularity. It largely devoid of gimmicks, bribes, or incentives for voters. This is a Budget that draws a line in the sand. This is National and the coalition practising what they preach and defining themselves by their decision making. Whether the strategy succeeds politically is another question. Yes, it demonstrates fiscal credibility and attempts to address underlying economic weaknesses. But you can also argue the Government has underestimated public demand for immediate cost-of-living relief. Overall, the Budget moves New Zealand closer to stabilising debt and returning to surplus, but its success depends heavily on economic growth forecasts, successful implementation of spending cuts, and stable global conditions. Given weaker growth projections and international uncertainty, achieving surplus by 2029–2030 is far from guaranteed. As ever, it's another case of us needing to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heather Mitchell is regarded as one of Australia's most well-known and hardest working stars, and she's taking on a new, unique role on stage. RBG: Of Many, One debuts at Auckland theatre company this week, and will run until June 7th - and Mitchell portrays the late US Supreme Court Justice. It's a one-woman show, where Mitchell portrays Ginsburg from the age of 13 to 97, and she plays numerous characters across a story that lasts almost two hours. "Really, all it requires is being present and in the moment and being there, for those imaginary characters." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dave Dobbyn is regarded as a national treasure among Kiwi music fans, and he's set to hit the stage this July. From Th' Dudes to DD Smash to a highly successful solo career, he's made an impact on New Zealand music, with many of his hits becoming Kiwi anthems. He's set to do a one night show in Auckland later this year, 'Selected Songs Encore' - a follow-up to last year's 'Selected Songs' tour. "It was a real thrill and I warmed to it, because every time you play for an audience, you just become closer - and that's a pretty satisfying feeling." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Five by Ilona Bannister. This is a highly entertaining and cleverly constructed thriller based on the premise that on a suburban train station one morning there are five minutes until the next train, five passengers waiting, and five minutes until one of them dies. The narrative gives the story of each of these people so that you develop a real understanding of them, all the while wondering which of them will be the unlucky one, and it effectively makes the reader become the judge, jury and executioner. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Famesick by Lena Dunham. Lena Dunham became extremely famous in her early 20's as the writer and lead actor in the TV series Girls and has maintained a high profile since. Her memoir is fascinating - she's struggled with debilitating sickness for much of her life and survived addictions, celebrity and a fair amount of public humiliation - all whilst working frenetically, displaying early and rare talent, and she puts it all on the page in this book which I couldn't put down. She's a very talented writer and her own life has given her a remarkable canvas against which to tell her story. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Megan Singleton was recently in New Orleans, and she's opening up about the best food she tried there. Brennan's is a historic institution best known for their Bananas Foster, and Megan's written down the recipe for the highly requested dish. Read more here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Sunday Panel, journalist Simon Wilson and Coast Day host Lorna Riley joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week - and more! Nicola Willis announced that public service jobs would be slashed, and it's been viewed as controversial. Do we need these cuts? Should a reduction in public service roles also mean a reduction in politicians? Surely if the state shrinks, so should the number of politicians? The Enhanced Games are set to kick off in the US tomorrow - what do we make of this? Does this send the wrong message? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 24 May 2026, Dave Dobbyn doesn't agree to many interviews, but today he joins Francesca to reflect on his career, why he never wants to stop performing and how Parkinson's has changed his life. Heather Mitchell has been called Australia's hardest working actress and her latest role shows why. Heather tells Francesca just how demanding her latest solo show is and why she is so passionate about the role portraying Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Auckland FC are A League champions, Sky Sport analyst Jacob Spoonley tells Francesca just how much this historic win means for the club and for the whole of football in New Zealand. Francesca looks at the good and the bad messaging from the Government this week and implores the Government to make systematic changes without being nasty or bringing people down. And the panel talk about tomorrow's "Doping Olympics", The Enhanced Games, taking place in Las Vegas tomorrow. Ethics aside, are they just a little bit cuiorus to see what these athletes can do. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The star ratings Kiwis use to hunt out healthy food in the supermarket have been called into question, with experts wondering if they really help. Some say it can help compare the nutritional profiles of similarly packaged foods, but some say its voluntary nature and algorithms mean it can sometimes be misleading or fail to reflect whole-food healthiness. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fish cakes with curry lime mayonnaise Cook time: 30 minutes Prep time: 15 minutes Serves: 6 500 gm gurnard fillets 1 cup milk 4 medium agria potatoes, peeled Zest of 1 lemon ½ cup parsley, chopped 1 red chilli, finely chopped ½ red onion, finely chopped Salt and black pepper 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1 cup milk 2 cups panko crumbs 3 Tbsp sunflower oil Curry lime mayonnaise 2 egg yolks juice of 2 limes 1 tbsp curry powder Pinch salt Pinch sugar 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 1 cup sunflower oil Preheat oven to 180*C. Place the fish and the milk into a pot and bring to the boil then turn the heat off and allow the fish to cool in the milk. Meanwhile, cook the potatoes by starting them in cold salted water bring to the boil. Turn down until just tender, drain and mash with a potato masher. Set aside. Remove the fish and flake it into a bowl containing along with the potato, lemon, parsley, chilli, onion and seasoning. Mix until combined. Roll the mix into golf ball sized balls, then press to flatten slightly. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Crumb the fish cakes by rolling them first in the egg and milk then in the panko crumbs. Pan fry until golden and crispy, then finish in the oven for about 10 minutes. Curry lime mayonnaise Place all the ingredients except the oil into a food processor and blitz for 30 seconds. Then with the motor running gradually add the oil until the mix is smooth and creamy. Season and serve. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When we think about exercise that improves balance and agility, most of us picture standing workouts like yoga, squats, balance boards, maybe even tai chi. But new research published in the journal PLOS ONE suggests something surprising - you may be able to improve your balance while lying flat on your back. The researchers found that just 10 minutes a day of simple floor-based exercises improved people's balance and side-to-side agility in as little as two weeks. Humans are actually built in a fairly awkward way. Our centre of gravity sits high in the body, around the chest area, balanced above a relatively tiny base: our feet. In engineering terms, we are basically top-heavy towers wobbling around on two narrow supports. To stay upright, the body constantly coordinates signals between the core muscles, hips, legs, ankles, and nervous system. When that coordination weakens, balance problems, injuries, falls, and back pain can follow. Most exercise programs focus on strengthening either the 'core' or the legs separately. But researchers wanted to test something different: what happens if you train the body to coordinate both systems together? The researchers designed a simple routine performed entirely in a lying-down position. Participants lay on their backs and completed a short series of movements including: Gentle abdominal tightening Small pelvic lifts similar to mini bridges Controlled heel slides Ankle flexing Toe movements resembling a “rock-paper-scissors” motion The routine was low intensity, required no equipment, and took only about 10 minutes to complete. Participants repeated the exercises daily for two weeks. After the program, participants showed measurable improvements in balance and agility. Researchers observed: Reduced body wobbling while standing still Better stability with feet close together Faster side-to-side stepping movements Interestingly, participants did not become significantly stronger or more powerful. That suggests the improvements likely came from the nervous system becoming better at coordinating the body, essentially improving communication between the trunk and legs. It seems like the exercises may have trained the body to work smarter, not necessarily harder. Balance is one of those abilities we rarely think about until we begin losing it. Because the routine is gentle and performed lying down, it could potentially help: Older adults People recovering from injury Those with limited mobility People intimidated by traditional exercise Anyone wanting a low-impact daily routine This study highlights something scientists are increasingly discovering about the human body: small, consistent movements can have surprisingly meaningful effects.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2026 marks the 20th anniversary of The Fred Award, with guests encouraged to dress in 'Gumboot Glam'. The 2026 Comedy Festival is almost over, with the Last Laughs Awards Gala taking place 7PM at SkyCity Theatre tonight. Entertainment correspondent Steve Newall unpacked the nominees further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first Enhanced Games start tomorrow in Las Vegas, with performance drugs allowed in swimming, track, weightlifting and strongman events. Medical supervision will monitor the 40 elite athletes competing for millions of dollars as it streams online. Sports scientist and former Olympic coach Dr Adam Storey says this competition goes against what New Zealand organisations support, as the nation prides itself on avoiding performance enhancers. "To see what's going to happen in Las Vegas over the next few days, it's a little bit concerning - and also really disappointing." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Budget 2026 is set to be unveiled this week, and there's plenty of speculation about what it might bring. Ahead of Thursday's big reveal, new announcements about defence spending, education, and healthcare have been released. Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths says the Government's looking to be 'bold' this time round, with their controversial announcement over public service job cuts raising some eyebrows. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.