The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

UK comedian and actor Bill Bailey is set to start his next tour of New Zealand in the coming days, and he's spoken of his love for the nation. His brand-new show Vaudevillian kicks off in Queenstown and he's revealed how excited he is to tour the 'beautiful country. "There's a lot about it that I love...the sort of things New Zealand offers are the sorts of things I would seek out in any country that I have a bit of spare time in." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Henry's been a regular presence on New Zealand screens and he's come out of retirement to take on his most anticipated hosting job yet. He is set to host New Zealand's own version of The Chase - the long-running UK-based game show that Kiwis tune into every week. Ahead of this version dropping to TVNZ next month, Henry says it's 'daunting' taking on a project like this. "The show is already so popular in New Zealand, but what's really popular is the British Chase. And we're not doing the British Chase, we're doing the New Zealand Chase." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday on Jack Tame's show, I was talking about the new Springsteen film - Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere - and Jack asked me why there have been so many music biopics recently? It got me thinking about how musicians and their origin stories and struggles with fame have always made for good films, and we've always made them. But Jack is right, there have been quite a few biopics about musicians recently - think Better Man about Robbie Williams, A Complete Unknown about Bob Dylan, Bob Marley: One Love, Back to Black about Amy Winehouse, Maria about Maria Callas … and there's plenty more on the way. In 2028, each Beatle is getting their own film, thanks to director Sam Mendes. The truth of the matter is probably that they make money. Marvel and comic book superhero cinema dominance is cooling off, and so in recent years Hollywood has turned to the music biopic genre to replace it. It makes sense really. Like comic book heroes, many of these artists lives are steeped in mythology perfect to mine for drama, their stories are part of pop culture. And apart from paying for music rights - they aren't too expensive to make. And, we love them. We love the comfort of their familiarity and a bit of nostalgia. The music industry also love music biopics, it's a wonderful way for the industry to reconnect an artist with their audience and create new fans. The Springsteen movie is about the making of his acoustic, folk inspired album Nebraska. I listened to the album in the car on the way home from watching the film. Tick, job done. For me, the genre was revitalised with 2005's Walk the Line, which told the story of flawed genius Johnny Cash and his wife June's relationship. It told it - warts and all. Around that time, Ray, about Ray Charles, was also released, as was Control, the story of the troubled life and times of Ian Curtis, lead singer of new wave band Joy Division. Since then, we have been tapping our toes and reliving our own relationships with the music of Elvis, Elton John, Freddie Mercury and NWA. As popular as the genre is, and as much as we enjoy the ride, it's tricky for filmmakers to get these films right. Artists' stories often follow the same narrative beats so can be samey, but it can be risky taking a unique approach. Taking on a lead role can be rewarding for actors in awards season, but fans are judgy when watching an interpretation of their heroes. Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere is a good case in point. Aside from a few concert scenes, mostly we watch Springsteen record an album in his bedroom and studio while slipping into depression. It's hardly a glossy, mainstream rollicking ride. If you're looking for something to watch this long weekend, and watching Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen isn't your thing, then hunt out some of our own music stories - which have been turned into excellent documentaries. Marlon Williams: Ngā Ao E Rua - Two Worlds, The Chills: The Triumph & Tragedy of Martin Phillipps, Alien Weaponry - Thrash Metal and Te Reo Māori, Shihad - Beautiful Machine, Heavenly Pop Hits - The Flying Nun Story. So many good choices. It's also worth noting Life in One Chord - the Shayne Carter story - will be available to rent from DOC PLAY from November 6th. All beautifully told stories that enrich our lives. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Widow by John Grisham. Simon Latch is a small time, small town lawyer in Virginia, whose marriage is falling apart, his gambling is out of control, and his legal practice is on the verge of going under. Then an elderly widow arrives on his doorstep, to say that her husband left her millions of dollars in shares, which she wants to keep out of the hands of her estranged stepsons and as she no longer trusts the lawyer who drafted her current will, she wants Simon to help her. He thinks this is the golden ticket that could turn his life around….until she dies in a car crash and he finds himself accused of murder. It's terrific Grisham - less courtroom drama than some of his earlier novels but plenty of intrigue nonetheless. Gone Before Goodbye by Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben. These two have collaborated on a novel about a highly skilled surgeon who has been disgraced and can no longer practice, and whose husband has been murdered in the war zone where they used to work together. She's approached by a former colleague to take a job with an oligarch who requires complete anonymity and confidentiality and in return will re-establish her credentials, and pay handsomely for her service. The story moves from war zones and refugee camps, and America to Russia and Dubai where there are wheels within wheels, no one can be trusted, and the tension ratchets up as hidden truths are exposed and the secrets of this underworld are brought to light. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US Government shutdown is continuing on with no end in sight, and it's starting to impact travel. While essential services will continue, air travel and passport renewals are among the services being disrupted, meaning travel in and out of the US is set to get more complicated. BloggerAtLarge.com Megan Singleton unpacks the delays further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Sunday Panel, 818 director Chris Henry and host of The Prosperity Project, Nadine Higgins, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week - and more! Netball NZ recently confirmed Dame Noeline Taurua will return as Silver Ferns coach. What do we make of this whole saga? And do we think Taurua's return will be smooth sailing? Former US presidential candidate Kamala Harris has hinted she may run for the White House again following the release of her new book. Do we think she'll announce anything? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 26 October. 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.

We've all faced the afternoon slump, but how can we get through it before the end of the day? The slump refers to the dreaded post-lunch, afternoon period where you hit the wall and find it hard to stay focused and productive. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've all been told the same advice for decades: 'Eat more fibre if you're constipated.' From breakfast cereals to bran muffins, fibre has long been the go-to remedy for getting things 'moving.' But new research published in two major international journals, the Journal of Human Nutrition & Dietetics and Neurogastroenterology & Motility has just turned that advice on its head. It turns out that while a high-fibre diet is good for your overall health, the science doesn't actually support it as an effective treatment for constipation. The researchers looked at more than 75 clinical trials and rather than just counting grams of fibre, they focus on measurable outcomes like how often someone passes stools, whether straining occurs, and overall quality of life. They identified a few key foods and supplements that have solid evidence behind them: Kiwifruit – This one topped the list! Studies show it helps improve stool frequency and consistency. Rye bread – Rich in unique fibres and bioactive compounds that appear to support gut movement. Mineral-rich water – Particularly waters high in magnesium, which can naturally draw water into the bowel. Psyllium fibre, magnesium oxide, and certain probiotics – These supplements also showed evidence of helping reduce constipation symptoms. In contrast, general 'high-fibre diets' and popular senna-based laxatives were found to lack convincing scientific support for long-term effectiveness. Constipation isn't just uncomfortable, it can seriously affect quality of life. It's also incredibly common, especially among adults and older populations. Until now, most medical advice has been frustratingly simple: 'Eat more fibre and drink more water.' But the new research suggests that this one-size-fits-all approach is outdated. Fibre is still vital for heart health, gut bacteria, and blood sugar control. But when it comes to constipation specifically, it may not be the magic bullet we've all been led to believe. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spring cola with honey, citrus and lavender Cook time: 5 minutes Prep time: 10 minutes Serves: 10-12 drinks 2 oranges, cut in half 3 lemons, cut in half 2 limes, cut in half 2 cups water 1 cinnamon stick 4 star anise 1 small knob ginger 1 tbsp molasses 1 tbsp instant coffee 10 heads fresh lavender 1/2 cup runny honey 1 cup brown sugar Squeeze oranges and lemons into a saucepan. Drop in the squeezed fruit and add water. Add cinnamon, star anise, ginger, coffee, lavender, molasses, sugar and honey and bring to the boil. Once you reach boiling point, turn off the syrup. Careful not to over boil. Lay a small plate onto to the top of the fruit to weigh down and keep it under the liquid. Place it into the fridge overnight. The next day strain the syrup through a sieve to remove all the bits, squeezing out the fruit to extract all the syrup. Pour the syrup into a clean jar or bottle and refrigerate for up to 2 months. When serving, measure 1 part syrup to 4 parts sparkling water. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pike River, the film based on the 2010 West Coast mining disaster, has officially been released. The film tells the story of Sonya Rockhouse and Anna Osborne's 15-year fight for justice following the deaths of the 29 men impacted. Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall discusses the impact of the film. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since its founding in 1990, the Trees for Survival Charitable Trust has encouraged schoolkids to plant one million trees and shrubs - and it's aiming for a million more by 2030. Through Kiwi schools, national environmental education and a restoration programme Trees for Survival has helped Kiwi kids learn more about the environment. Trees for Survival spokesperson Sally Clegg says the charity encourages students to feel like the trees they planted are their trees. "We don't take them out to nurseries and do it there, they have a nursery which we provide in their schools. They will grown between 800 and 1,000 native seedlings, which are all eco-sourced for their area." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister heads to Asia today, for crucial meetings on trade and the economy. Chris Luxon's first travelling to Malaysia for the East Asia Summit and mark a milestone of 50 years of diplomatic ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths says Luxon will be meeting with other world leaders at APEC to discuss trade. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Military tensions are escalating in the Caribbean Sea, as the US deploys the world's largest warship to counter drug-traffickers. The US says it has killed dozens of people in strikes on small vessels from Venezuela which it alleges carry 'narcotics' and 'narco-terrorists.' But US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Venezuela's fighting back. "The President of Venezuela, who's accusing the US of 'fabricating' this new war - but yet, we see the drug trail kind of leads back there as well." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A refreshed sense of direction for the Silver Ferns amid Dame Noeline Taurua's return as head coach. Netball New Zealand's announced Taurua will resume her duties after the team's northern tour, with some revised operations. The sport's national body say they've agreed to changes that support wellbeing and performance, including strengthening the player voice. NZ Herald sports reporter Nathan Limm has labelled this situation a 'mess' - and wondered what took Netball NZ so long. "They had to bow to public pressure...it's been six weeks since she was stood down, 10 days out from the Taini Jamison series. I felt like it got to the point where if they wanted her back, she'd be back." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jay Ryan made a name for himself by appearing in New Zealand TV classics like Go Girls and Creamerie, but he's been able to take his skills overseas. He's making an impact overseas, picking up international recognition for roles in Beauty and the Beast and It Chapter Two. His latest acting project sees him returning to New Zealand shores - to star in the new psychological thriller TV show The Ridge. "I've been very fortunate to go to different parts of the world and film - and now the world's much smaller...you can be anywhere, you can live in a small part of New Zealand and still have your foot in the door for Hollywood. I've been very lucky." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth. An elderly man is found dead by his neighbour, 81-year-old Elsie. No one suspects foul play - until they discover that in the 1950's, Elsie's name was Mabel, and she was the youngest person in Australian history to be convicted of murder – at which point the media circus arrives on her doorstep and the police take an interest, and she decides it might finally be time to tell her story. It's a charming read with genuine human interest. Perspective by Shaun Johnson. He is of course the rugby league legend who has had a remarkable career on the field, and who is very interesting off it. The sheer grit and determination – to say nothing of the skills required – are extraordinary, but this is also the story of a man who ultimately felt that he was being judged on 80 minutes of football a week, and on little else and has also had to fight hard to maintain his perspective. I'm not a rugby league expert but I'm fascinated by the discipline and the pressure that he put himself under, and what it takes to survive it. It's a really good read. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Megan Singleton's been taking in Rarotonga, and she recently got the chance to try out a unique snorkelling experience. She got the chance to try out sea scooter snorkelling, and she recapped her 'amazing' experience. Read more about Megan's Rarotonga experience here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Sunday Panel, Coast day host Lorna Riley and partner at Freebairn and Hehir, Liam Hehir, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Ahead of Thursday's planned strike action, Judith Collins penned an open letter claiming the strikes are more about politics than outcomes. Is this a panic move by the Government? What do we make of all this? Prince Andrew will no longer be known as the Duke of York following ongoing turmoil surrounding his alleged involvement with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. What do we think will happen next? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 19 October 2025, Boy Swallows Universe author Trent Dalton talks about mining his own life for his books and the risks he's taken just for a story. Kiwi acting export Jay Ryan on his new show 'The Ridge' and discusses the threat of AI on his industry. Public Service Minister Judith Collins has fired a shot at unions ahead of this weeks mega strikes. Minister Collins explains the purpose of the letter to Francesca and PPTA President Chris Abercrombie responds. And why do you cry when cutting onions? Dr Michelle Dickinson has the latest science that explains it all. 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.

Ika Mata Prep time: 40 minutes Serves: 12 300gm firm white flesh fish Juice of 2 limes Juice of 2 lemons 1 small red onion, diced 1 small cucumber, diced 2 red chilli, deseeded and diced 1 cup spring onion, sliced flaky salt 1 cup coriander, roughly chopped 2 cups coconut cream Slice the fish into 5mm cubes and place into a non-reactive container. Squeeze over the juice of both the lime and lemon. Cover with cling film and place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Leave for up to 3 hours if you want the fish fully cooked. Combine the red onion, cucumber, capsicum, chili, spring onion, salt, coriander and coconut cream, season to taste. Drain the fish, combine with the coconut mixture. Chill till required. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anyone who has ever sliced an onion, knows the eye stinging feeling and watering that comes with it. A new study from researchers at Cornell University, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has uncovered exactly how those eye-stinging onion chemicals blast into the air and revealed a surprisingly simple way to stop them. Onions have long been known to release an irritant called propanethial S-oxide, a sulphur-based compound that triggers your eyes' tear reflex. But what no one really understood, until now, was how that chemical escapes from the onion and launches itself straight toward your face. Using high-speed cameras and computer modelling, the Cornell team watched in extreme slow motion what actually happens when a knife slices through an onion. They found a two stage tear cascade As your knife presses down, it creates pressure within the tightly packed onion cells. Each onion layer is trapped between two skins, a top and a bottom forming little pressurised chambers. When the knife finally breaks through the top layer, all that pressure releases in an instant shooting a fine mist of droplets into the air. Then comes stage two - slower streams of fluid form into droplets that continue to spray outward. The researchers dubbed this phenomenon the two-stage tear cascade a microscopic explosion that propels irritant droplets at astonishing speeds of 18 to 143 km per hour. The scientists discovered that your choice of knife, and how you use it makes a big difference. A sharp knife creates a cleaner, slower cut, releasing far fewer droplets. But a blunt blade, especially when used quickly, causes chaos smashing through onion layers, increasing pressure, and launching more mist into the air. So, the simple takeaway? Keep your knives sharp and slice slowly. Alternatively, coating the onion in oil before cutting can also help trap the mist, though that might be less convenient for everyday cooking. Beyond just helping us cook without crying, this research offers fascinating insights into fluid dynamics, food safety, and the everyday physics hiding in your kitchen. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trent Dalton's made a name for himself as one of Australia's biggest authors, and he's back with something that's more personal. He's best known for his 2018 novel, Boy Swallows Universe, which was adapted into an award-winning Netflix series last year. His new book, Gravity Let Me Go, promises to be more auto-biographical, as it tells the story of a character in crisis as he works to tell more stories. "It's so funny that as I'm talking about a book that is all about that, that I am inside the busiest period of my life...the whole story of Gravity Let Me Go is this journo who keeps obsessing about the story of his lifetime and he's in danger of missing an even bigger scoop, and that's something that's involving his wife and kids, and that's the story of my life." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's concerns among some that sunscreen poses a risk, and the high-profile product recalls in recent months have prompted discussion. Some believe sunscreen is toxic or linked to disease and skin cancer - and some believe it's not needed because vitamin D is good for health. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara debunked these concerns, and revealed how to choose the right sun-protection products. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several Kiwi industry leaders and screen businesses have teamed up to officially launch Screen NZ International, an industry body designed to boost New Zealand's film industry. The organisation aims to help New Zealand remain a competitive screen destination by building relationships with clients and promoting the country internationally. Screen NZ International executive chair Mel Turner says the organisation wants to see New Zealand be 'globally competitive'. "It's a fierce global market out there for international productions coming into New Zealand, so we want to focus on the industry becoming more sustainable and future-focused." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Labour Party is set to unveil their economic policy in the coming days, and speculation's growing. Reports indicate a new tax plan will soon be announced - but it's likely the upcoming release will cover a wide range of economic topics. NZ Herald political reporter Adam Pearse speculates further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An estimated 100,000 workers are set to go on strike this coming Thursday, despite warnings from the Public Service Minister. Judith Collins has penned a letter to New Zealanders claiming the planned industrial action is 'unfair' and 'unwarranted'. PPTA president Chris Abercrombie has responded to Judith Collins's critique of unions being political by saying - of course they are. "Well, we're dealing with the Government, so it has to be political. The Government makes the decisions about NCEA, they make the decisions about curriculum, they make decisions about AI marking - they make all these decisions. So it has to be political." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Public Service Minister has penned an open letter to New Zealanders before a major mega strike this coming week. An estimated 100,000 workers across the health and education sector plan to walk off the job on Thursday. Minister Judith Collins says the strikes will impact children and families and believes they appear politically motivated. She says primary school principals have taken a more commendable approach. "They've been able to reach a very good settlement by staying at the bargaining table, and this seems to be very much focused on politics, rather than the actual outcomes." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In August 2022, former Prime Minister Jim Bolger joined Newstalk ZB's Francesca Rudkin on The Sunday Session to launch his new book 'Fridays with Jim'. Listen to the chat above and read more his interview below. Jim Bolger entered the New Zealand political scene in 1972. A self-taught son of Irish Immigrants, the King Country farmer lead the National party to victory in 1990 and became the 35th Prime Minister of New Zealand. Then came three-terms as head of Government, a business leader and New Zealand ambassador to the United States. Jim Bolger is a familiar public face, but a couple of years ago, it occurred to journalist and author David Cohen that we didn't know that much about Jim Bolger the man. There came about Fridays with Jim, a book based on conversations between the pair about our country. In it, he speaks about his childhood and love for 'living on the land'. Bolger told Francesca Rudkin it's something that's driven his view on climate change which he says New Zealand is wonderful at talking about, but not doing anything about it. "You know, we will get a vaccine to control coronavirus, but there is no vaccine to control climate change." He also says there needs to be some radical rethinking when it comes to New Zealand's economy. Bolger says one thing that needs to be dealt with is raising the retirement age. He says his Government lifted the age to 65 because they couldn't afford to give retirement income at 60. He says it's a challenge facing this Government too. "We have to address the issue, it won't go away. "The number of people in the aged 65 bracket is going to double in the next 20 years."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chef, author and broadcaster Peta Mathias lives a wonderfully full life, full of gastronomic tours of the world's top food destinations. When she's not leading foodie tours through the likes of Italy, Spain, France, Morocco and India, she's following summer - by teaching cooking classes in the South of France before returning to New Zealand in time for our summer. She's written about her life as part of her collection of essays bundled into a new book - It's Been Six Weeks Since My Last Confession. "I went from being really disheartened and being - I'll never write a book again, to, oh, okay, why don't I just take control of my life. That's how it happened." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealanders will get an insight into the Pike River tragedy that continues to be felt by relatives - and on the West Coast. A film based on the 2010 explosion that took the lives of 29 men is being released in New Zealand this week. Starring Kiwi actresses Melanie Lynskey and Robyn Malcolm, it tells the true story of Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse's fight for justice. Lynskey says it was important for the men to be remembered as individuals. "Anyone who's had a loved one be a victim of something that becomes a national tragedy - I do think that the person that you loved, that was the most important person in your entire world, becomes kinda faceless." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai. Sonia and Sunny live, study and work in America, but their families back home in India worry about the loneliness they feel in a strange country and try to bring them together. They do eventually connect, but relationships in their new world are not straightforward and there are a lot of things to navigate including finding the place where they belong - plus class, race, history, and the complicated bonds that link one generation to the next. This is huge, epic and outstanding. Last Rites by Ozzy Osbourne. Ozzy's memoir, for which the last chapter was handed in just days before he died. He tells the story of an extraordinary life...someone who began his stage career as something of a pariah for outrageous behaviour, and ended up selling more than 100 million albums and becoming a beloved son of Birmingham, and the world. This is unfiltered rock ‘n roll. What a life! LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Megan Singleton's latest travel adventure has taken her to Rarotonga, and she's noticed more people seem to be flocking to the islands. Between the variety of accommodation options, the bars and restaurants and wildlife - including crabs, whales, friendly dogs and turtles to snorkel with - there's plenty of options for all prospective travellers. Megan unveiled her personal highlights - read more about her travel tips here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Sunday Panel, Director at Capital, Ben Thomas, and NZ Herald senior writer, Simon Wilson, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The local body elections wrapped up this weekend and recent data is showing the voter turnout was historically low. Why don't people take local body elections seriously? Is it a lack of decent candidates? Is it a thankless task? Do we need to change the way we vote? Both Andrew Little and Wayne Brown have mentioned working with central Government as being part of their plan - does there need to be a stronger relationship between local and central Government to get things done? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research indicates making healthy choices might require more effort than updating your grocery list. A new study claims women's eating habits are more socially sensitive, and when isolated, they're 85 percent more likely to stop eating vegetables daily and twice as likely to stop eating fruit. The study also claims that when women's social networks shrink or become less diverse, women lose the social scaffolding that supports healthy eating patterns. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explains the research further - and how you can make healthy choices. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So, guess what - according to Local Government NZ, voter turnout around the country for the local body elections has been dismal. Surprised? On Friday afternoon, 983,466 votes had been received around the country, which represented 28.49 percent of all eligible votes. That's under 30 percent. Blimey. As of Friday, our biggest city, and one with a multitude of issues apparently, had the lowest voting percentage of 21.8 percent, followed by Hamilton City with 22.98 percent and Porirua City with 25.11 percent. Council Governance and Engagement general manager Lou-Ann Ballantyne encouraged people to vote if they hadn't already. She reminded us that if you don't vote, you're letting someone else choose who represents you. Which is true. Or as Ray Chung so eloquently put it after his defeat in the Wellington mayoralty race: “This is your decision. Live with it.” But we still don't seem to care. By the end of Saturday, the overall percentage of voting around the country was 32.65 percent of eligible voters. Rural communities were much more engaged with 43.6 percent voting, provincial came in next at 38.3 percent, followed by metro results of 28.8 percent. We don't have final data yet, but the stats tell us voting turnout in Auckland is on track to be the lowest in the city's history. So, what's wrong with us? I thought most home owners cared about the increase in rates, our rubbish collections, the cost of consents, the state of speed limits on our local roads, the water prices. People always seem to have an opinion on their council and how well or how badly they're performing. Apparently we've never been more disappointed in our councils. So why don't people tick a couple of boxes, let democracy do the talking, and tell our councils what we want? Maybe it's because people complain about council but also appreciate many of the services they offer communities. They cancel each other out. The status quo is ok. Apathy rules. But there's also a lack of key challenges. Where was another strong candidate to challenge Wayne Brown, or Andrew Little? There's also a lack of candidates. Two mayors will be elected unopposed and around 200 candidates were elected by default. And then there's the lack of easily accessible information on candidates - their values, and more importantly their vision. Not everyone has the time to get to a candidate meeting. Why is it so hard to find out how a current councillor or mayor has voted on issues throughout a term? Too many people are making decisions based on terrible photos in lacklustre voting booklets. And then there's the reality that it's all just a bit boring. Candidates generally campaign on the same things - keeping rates low, reducing excessive spending, maintaining infrastructure and making their city or region an affordable place to live. It's all well-worn and hardly gripping stuff, and it's difficult to differentiate between candidates, unless they're wearing a silly hat. Which is all a terrible shame. Decisions councils make affect our lives daily in many ways. We need to change the voting system, postal voting isn't working, and attract better leadership to these thankless roles. We need to stomp out abuse and harassment, pay more - and then hopefully more smart, reasonable people will step up. Perhaps then we will get off our butts and vote. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Onion tart-tatin with asparagus and fried haloumi Cook time: 30 minutes Prep time: 30 minutes Serves: 6 1 batch short crust 2 small red onions, peeled and sliced into 1cm rings 2 tbsp grapeseed oil 1 tsp flaky salt freshly Ground black pepper 4 tbsp caster sugar 1 big hand asparagus 8 servings haloumi 1 cup flour 2 tbsp oil 10 sage leaves 1 fresh lemon Handful rocket leaves, to serve Preheat a oven to 180*C Place sugar in a small heavy-based frypan over high heat. Cook until sugar dissolves, then bring to the boil, stirring continuously. Let sugar bubble until it turns a light caramel colour, place the onions into a large circle leaving a 2-3cm gap around the edge. Cut the pastry sheet to the same size as the pan. Lay the pastry over the onion and press edges down so they touch the bottom of the pan. Place in oven and bake for 25 minutes. Bring a large pot of water to the boil and season heavily with salt, drop in the asparagus and count to 10. Remove from the water and drop into iced water. Remove when cold and drain. Set aside ready to serve. Clean and reheat a cast iron pan, add in the 2 tbsp of oil and then run the haloumi through the flour and then carefully lower into the pan, fry on a gentle heat until golden, then flip. Refresh with a good squeeze of lemon and add in the sage leaves before serving. Remove the tarts from the oven and quickly turn over onto a plate, garnish with the asparagus, haloumi and rocket leaves. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 12 October 2025, Kiwi Emmy nominee Melanie Lynskey is back in New Zealand for the premiere of her new film Pike River. She tells Francesca the sense of responsibility she felt portraying Anna Osborne. Chef, broadcaster, author Peta Mathias lives a full life, she shares her tips on being fabulous and living life in a big way. Local Body Election results are in - elected Mayors of the major centres share their visions for the next three years. And Dr Michelle Dickinson shares new research showing the midlife crisis is over, but what has taken its place? 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.

For decades, researchers have documented a curious pattern in happiness, where people tend to start adult life feeling relatively positive, dip into unhappiness during middle age, and then rebound later in life. Psychologists called it the 'unhappiness hump' and the rest of us called it a mid-life crisis, referring to a midlife peak in stress, worry, and dissatisfaction that eventually faded as people aged. But new research suggests that this once-universal feature of human psychology (and men buying sports cars) has all but disappeared. And the reason isn't that middle-aged people have found new ways to thrive, sadly - it's that younger generations are suffering more than ever before. A new study published in PLOS ONE has found that the classic U-shaped curve of happiness and its mirror-image hump of unhappiness has flattened. The researchers analysed decades of mental health data, including 10 million adults in the United States from 1993-2024, 40,000 households in the United Kingdom, as well as 2 million people from 44 other countries, uncovering a dramatic shift in global well-being trends. Their analysis revealed that the familiar midlife rise in unhappiness, once a psychological constant, has vanished. Instead, mental ill-being now tends to decline with age, meaning that young people today report the worst mental health, and things generally improve as people get older. Older adults' mental health has stayed roughly the same, and middle-aged adults show little change. What's new is the sharp drop in well-being among younger generations. The causes of this reversal are complex and still being explored, but the study highlights several interlocking factors. The Great Recession's ripple effects: Economic instability and uncertain job prospects may have left “scarring effects” on younger cohorts entering the workforce after 2008. Underfunded mental health services: In both the U.S. and U.K., access to timely mental health care has lagged behind need, allowing problems to worsen over time. The COVID-19 pandemic: While the downward trend in youth well-being began before 2020, the pandemic accelerated feelings of isolation, anxiety, and hopelessness particularly among younger people. The rise of smartphones and social media: The study notes growing evidence linking heavy social media use with poorer mental health, driven by constant comparison, fear of missing out, and distorted self-perception. Some researchers have even suggested limiting smartphone access for teens as a possible intervention, though debate continues. Housing and financial pressures: Younger generations face tougher labour markets, skyrocketing housing costs, and rising living expenses all of which may erode a sense of security and optimism about the future. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hollywood superstar Diane Keaton is being remembered for a legendary career spanning decades. A family spokesperson told People magazine the 79-year-old has died in California. Keaton is best known for her Oscar-winning performance in 1977's Annie Hall and her role in The Godfather films. Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall says her career just kept on going. "There's a whole bunch of movies she made with Nancy Meyers, the Father of the Bride films, Something's Gotta Give, the Book Club franchise, The First Wives Club." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Results from this weekend's local elections are still rolling in, with some races still too close to call. But Auckland's Wayne Brown and Christchurch's Phil Mauger have definitely won second terms with decisive victories. Andrew Little's the new mayor in Wellington, and Tim Macindoe's won in Hamilton. Voters in just 17 council areas have opted to keep Māori wards, with voters in 25 opting to scrap them. Newstalk ZB election reporter Michael Sergel says Sophie Barker is leading Dunedin's mayoral race, but this outcome could change on final results. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Hamilton West MP and current Hamilton city councillor Tim Macindoe's won the mayoral race in Hamilton. He's committed to bringing down wasteful spending and improving resources for the city. Macindoe says Hamilton ratepayers have faced some of the highest rates rises in the country - a fact that's not set to change. "They are really feeling the pain - and unfortunately, there are no easy options for us to take that can suddenly get things down in a hurry. But we have to eliminate wasteful spending." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.