The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

It's a big weekend for the US, with Thanksgiving and Black Friday bringing Americans together for another year.

The holiday has evolved beyond eating turkey and stuffing and lining up outside the shops - and several traditions have been embraced by people all over the world.

The famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade is an annual tradition that's gained popularity outside the US - and Bloggeratlarge's Megan Singleton explained the significance of the parade after its latest anniversary.

Read more about Megan's Thanksgiving highlights - and parade balloon fails - here.

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This week on the Sunday Panel, editor and journalist Jo McCarroll and TV producer Irene Gardiner joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week - and more!

The Labour Party has gathered for its first annual conference since their election loss - and the theme of the weekend is change. Can Labour turn their image around by 2026? Do they need a reset?

Speaking of which - do Chris Hipkins and Jacinda Ardern need to apologise for their response to the Covid-19 pandemic?

NZ Gardener has officially turned 80! What do we make of this? Do Kiwis still enjoy gardening? 

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Research has revealed a poor diet is one of the leading factors behind overall health inequality.

Grocery prices and the ongoing cost of living crisis has turned healthy food into another luxury, putting low-income groups at risk of poor health. 

Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara says there are cases where poor diet isn't a choice - and it's a significant problem in New Zealand.

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Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are significant health challenges, with asthma affecting around 600,000 New Zealanders  - with one in seven children and one in eight adults living with the condition. 

Tragically, asthma contributes to an average of 60 deaths per year in New Zealand, and Māori and Pasifika communities are disproportionately affected. 

New research out this week in the journal The Lancet could offer fresh hope. 

For the first time in 50 years, a new drug, benralizumab, has shown remarkable potential for treating severe asthma attacks. Clinical trials, led by researchers at King’s College London, revealed that the drug outperformed conventional steroid tablets in treating life-threatening breathing difficulties caused by a severe form of asthma known as eosinophilic asthma. 

This type of asthma, which involves white blood cells called eosinophils, leads to inflammation that can cause the airways to swell and close. It’s responsible for nearly half of all emergency asthma flare-ups and contributes to severe exacerbations of COPD as well. 

The trials demonstrated that patients who received an injection of benralizumab during an attack were less likely to experience symptoms like wheezing and breathlessness even four weeks later, compared to those treated with steroids. Importantly, these patients also reported a significant improvement in their overall quality of life, marking a shift in how we could manage these conditions moving forward. 

Asthma and COPD place a heavy burden on New Zealand’s healthcare system, with thousands of hospital admissions every year. The reliance on steroid tablets during flare-ups has long been the standard treatment. While steroids can reduce inflammation, they don’t work for everyone, and repeated use carries risks, including diabetes and osteoporosis. 

Benralizumab offers a different approach by specifically targeting eosinophils, providing a more precise and effective treatment option. This treatment could improve outcomes for over a billion people globally. 

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Christmas day platters: 

The Christmas countdown is on - meaning it's the season of sharing platters and pre-dinner nibbles.

Pickled vegetables 

Cook time: 5 minutes 

Prep time: 10 minutes 

Serves: 12 

Pickled vegetables can include:  

Carrots, fennel, baby beetroot, radish, red onions, cucumbers or red cabbage  

1 tsp fennel seeds  

1 tsp coriander seeds  

2 chili  

2 bay leaves  

1 tsp mustard seeds  

300 ml cider vinegar  

250 ml water  

1/4 cup sugar  

Sterilized jar and lid 

Firstly prepare the vegetables for pickling. Clean all the vegetables and cut in 1/2 or 1/4 or finely slice. Try to make all the vegetable pieces roughly the same size.  

To make your pickle mixture, start by toasting your seeds in a pan until fragrant. Place the rest of the pickling mixture ingredients into a pot, adding seeds once toasted and heat until boiling.  

Remove the pickling mixture from the heat and carefully pour the hot mixture over the top of the vegetables and seal with a lid. (If pickling cucumbers or finely sliced veg allow mixture to cool first)  

To sterilize your jars and lids - 

Start by washing the jars and lids in soapy water and rinse well with hot water. Place the jars onto a tray open side up and then into a cold oven and turn onto 100*c. Once the oven reaches 100*c, leave in the oven for another 5 minutes. Remove jars from the oven to allow to cool slightly before use. 

For the lids, simply place them into a pot and cover with cold water. Bring the water to the boil and heat the lids for 10 minutes before draining and using. 

Sticky Onion jam 

Cook time: 30 minutes 

Prep time: 5 minutes 

Serves: 2 cups 

3 red onions, finely sliced length ways  

3/4 cup balsamic vinegar  

4 tbsp brown sugar  

Pinch of salt 

Place all ingredients in a heavy-based saucepan. Cook on a medium heat for about 20 minutes or until thick and syrupy. Stirring every couple 5 minutes.’ 

Roasted beetroot hummus

Cook time: 45 minutes

Prep time: 10 minutes

Serves: 6-8

2 cups chickpeas, soaked over night in water  

2 whole beetroot  

1 tbsp cooking oil  

2 tbsp tahini  

1 tsp baking powder  

1/2 tsp curry powder  

Sea salt 

Pre-heat the oven to 180*c  

Individually wrap the beetroot in tin-foil, drizzle over a little oil and sprinkle over a touch of salt before wrapping.  

Place into the oven and cook for 30 minutes before testing. Test by inserting a small knife to see if the beetroot is cooked. Once cooked allow to cool before removing skin.  

While the beetroot is cooking, place the soaked chickpeas into a large pot, cover with cold water and add a touch of salt and the baking powder. Bring to the boil and cook until tender. Once cooked drain.  

Place the beetroot into a food processor and biltz until smooth. Add the chickpeas and biltz until smooth. Add the tahini, curry powder and seasalt to finish. 

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Professor Richard Scolyer has helped transform the treatment of skin cancer in his role at the Melanoma Institute of Australia and his research has also helped aid additional breakthroughs. 

After Scolyer was diagnosed with an incurable brain cancer, he used his melanoma research to treat his condition - and the results paid off.

Scolyer says he felt compelled to try the new research after learning the treatment for his brain cancer hadn't evolved in 20 years. 

"We had an opportunity to go down this path and it felt right for me - and I guess a bit risky."

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On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 1st December 2024,The Block Australia host Scott Cam stops by the studio to dish the dirt on the latest contestants on season 20 of the popular reno show.

Australian of the YearDr Richard Scolyer talks about his risky decision to trial his own melanoma research to treat his brain tumour.

David Cunliffe talks through the changes Labour need to make to win the 2026 election. Francesca questions how Australia will police the new social media ban for under 16s and Mike Van de Elzen starts the countdown to Christmas with the key to a good Christmas Day platter.

Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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TV fans looking for a mystery drama with a few laughs are in luck - as a new series out of the UK is set to premiere on TVNZ.

Ludwigstars David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin as an unlikely duo investigating a mysterious disappearance.

Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall explains if this series is worth checking out this evening.

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Go the Aussies!  

They have drawn a line in the sand and done what no other Government has been brave enough to do. They’re standing up to global social media companies to protect their young people by introducing a social media ban for those under 16.   

The intention is good. The intention is excellent. What parent doesn’t want to protect their young adult from inappropriate or harmful online material? But the legislation is rushed. It was passed just a couple of days after a 1-day inquiry was held to consider 15,000 submissions. So it looks and sounds good, it feels morally right - but is it going to be a nightmare to enforce? 

So far, social media companies such as Meta have agreed to comply with the ban - failure to do so will result in a fine of $50 million  - but they’ve also expressed concern about how it will be enforced. 

If you’ve bought alcohol or a vape online, you’ll know that you simply click a button to claim you’re 18. How will these social media apps confirm a user is legitimate or not? Who knows? But if they do, then hopefully they can put an end to catfishing, hacking, and identity theft while they’re at it.   

I wonder if this is similar to the school phone ban in NZ. It gave schools without a ban the backing to implement one. Is this legislation aimed at giving parents more clout to help them prevent their child from signing onto social media apps - and allowing them to check their phones and devices regularly?  

Most likely. A Horizon Research survey out this week shows 74 percent of over 1500 adults polled say there should be an age limit for accessing social media, with age 16 the most popular threshold for respondents.  

Doing things by the book did work - sort of - in our house. We said no SM until 13 - as recommended by the SM companies - but it probably only worked because our kids weren’t that interested. They were more into group chats on messaging apps - which are exempt from this law. We should definitely be questioning how healthy messaging apps are for young people’s mental health too.  

And this is the problem. Our children are growing up in a new digital world  - be it the internet, social media, or messaging apps - and we’re still learning about the impact.  

So anything that delays the age teenagers are exposed to social media is a good thing, but they will join later and the key is using the extra time before they do to educate them about the positives and perils they will encounter. It's naïve to think that having an age restriction would take away the risk of children seeing harmful content online - and we want them to be good content providers when they do get involved.  

I love that the Aussies are trying to get this bolted horse back in the stable. Governments around the world will be watching to see how it goes. However it turns out, online companies will never take the care we’d like them to.  

So as always it fall on the parents to step up - to get off our own phones, set an example and set some boundaries. Parenting, after all, is only really done well by parents. 

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The Block Australia has celebrated a significant milestone.

The popular home renovation competition show has begun its 20th season, and fans from both sides of the Tasman have tuned in to keep it going.

Host and former tradie Scott Cam says he's been with the network for 25 years - and he never expected the show to last as long as it has.

"I've done about 10 different shows, this one is the last show I've done, which I thought we'd get a couple years out of - and we've ended up going for years."

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Jess van Slooten is among the hundreds of Kiwis whose life was saved by receiving an organ transplant.

At 22, she was diagnosed with a serious lung condition - which required a lung transplant.

She says receiving the transplant has allowed her to continue to live a normal life and enjoy her favourite outdoor activities again. 

"I've been skiing, I've been climbing mountains - lots of adventurous things that I just never would have been able to believe I could have done."

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It's been five years since a devastating fire gutted Paris' Notre-Dame Cathedral - but the wait is almost over.

The 12th-century cathedral, one of the French capital's most beloved and visited monuments, will reopen its doors next week to tourists and to the Catholic faithful.

European correspondent Catherine Field says no one expected the restoration to move so quickly or be completed under budget - but it's been done.

"It's going to have people coming to France just to look at it. France really does invest in its heritage, in its buildings - anyone who was here during the Olympics or saw it on TV saw that they'd cleaned the city up and that sort of heritage is what brings people to Paris."

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The Labour Party is on a mission to win voters back - and the calls for change have been well-received. 

Labour is holding its annual conference in Christchurch this weekend, the first time its members have met since losing the 2023 election.

NZ Herald deputy political editor Thomas Coughlan says Chris Hipkins has indicated interest in at least a capital gains tax.

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The Labour Party is focused on winning back New Zealanders.

It's holding its annual conference in Christchurch this weekend - the first time its members have met since the 2023 election defeat.

Leader Chris Hipkins has told the party it must change if it wants to re-gain the trust it's lost.

Former Labour leader David Cunliffe says it's the right message after a historic loss in confidence.

He says they need to learn lessons from why support dropped 25 percent between 2020 and 2023.

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Gosh, we live in an amazing country.

There’s been plenty of talk this year about how we’ve lost our mojo and the country has lost its way - the cost of living, the state of our health and education systems, and they’re all appropriate conversations to have. But if you get the chance to step away from your day to day concerns and get out into the wild you’re quickly reminded there’s so much to love about this beautiful country of ours. 

It was a real treat to have a weekend off last week - and even better to have discovered my new favourite place in New Zealand.  

I hadn’t been to Te Anau, and now I can’t wait to get back.  

The reason for the trip was to fastpack the Kepler Track - one of the most stunning tracks in the country. I’m fortunate to be part of an eclectic fastpacking crew of crazy, strong and gorgeous women who gather once a year to walk/run one of our many impressive tracks over two days. It means at least one day big day - like the 44km we did on the second day of our Kepler adventure. Which is nuts right? But I still had plenty of time to take in the mind blowing views, chat to some keas, laugh, swim in Lake Manopouri and enjoy being off grid.  

But then it was time to re-connect - and learn we’ve a couple of deputy prime ministers this term, watch the new Prime Minister reel off his 49 action points of cancel repeal and start, and see the party games begin.  

As many of you have noted, it feels good to see some decisiveness. It’s good to see the Government take action on the issues it campaigned on. I don’t care that the Prime Minister ignored the behaviour of his new deputy and just got on with what’s important.  

All I can ask though is that as changes are made, it’s done pragmatically. For example, the plan to change all Government departments and other public agencies back to their English language names is fine. It makes things less confusing for some and as Simon Wilson pointed out, just giving an organisation a Maori name doesn’t mean it is genuinely bi-cultural or operates on co-governance principals. It can be misleading.  

But what I do object to is the projected millions it will cost to change the branding for organisations who primarily use te reo Māori names. According to marketing experts, it could cost millions to change every website, letterhead, business card, sign etc.  

If we had dual-lingual branding in the first place - both English and Māori names on everything - this wouldn't have been an issue.  

My request of this new coalition - as you address some of the pet projects you campaigned on, please make thoughtful, smart decisions which won’t require unnecessary, expensive fixes in the future.  

As the political hurly burly heats up after the hiatus, my advice for the rest of us is that if it starts to get depressing, there’s a great solution - go for a walk.  

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Chelsea Winter discusses her new book, veganism, conscious consumption with Francesca Rudkin. She shares a few recipes and tricks to elevate flavours.

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On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 10th November 2024, Matty Matheson is best known to Kiwis as Neil Fak on Emmy Award winning show The Bear,but he's actually the only cast member who is a real chef.Matty joins Francesca to talk about how he got involved in the show and how he's finding acting.

Author Oliver Burkeman talks about how we need to accept our life is finite and the key to improving your life is to accept you are never going to fix it.

Helen Clark foundation Kali Merciershares her report questioning who should pay for future insurance premium increases due to climate change risk.

Dr Michelle Dickinson shares the science around aging and standing on one foot.

And the panel gives their verdict on whether Donald Trump will be a better president than Joe Biden.

Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Time of the Child by Niall Williams.Set in a small Irish village, this tells the story of Dr Jack Troy who lives quietly with his unmarried daughter Ronnie. Their lives are changed forever just before Christmas in 1962 when an abandoned baby is found and handed to him, and instead of passing the child on to the correct authorities he finds he simply cannot give her up. I cannot say enough how wonderful this book is - it’s a masterclass in writing and I thought it was sublime.

The Voice Inside by John Farnham. The famous Australian singer - who still holds the record for the biggest selling album ever in Australia (Whispering Jack) has written a memoir about his life and career, and about triumph over adversity. There was a period where his record company turned their backs on him and it looked as though his career might be over, but he managed a comeback - and has also survived a nasty cancer scare. Listeners may recall that his song The Voice was used as the anthem for the referendum held last year, and brought him to a whole new prominence. Above all, he’s a proud survivor. 

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Travelling internationally to run a marathon might not be on everyone's bucket list, but it's a growing trend.

People come from far and wide to take part in the seven World Major Marathons - which take place annually in Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York City, Tokyo, and most recently, Sydney.

 BloggerAtLarge writer Megan Singleton says there's plenty of marathons all over the world you can experience outside of these seven, including annual marathons at Disney World or across the Great Wall of China.

Read more about Megan's picks for the best - and weirdest - international marathons here. 

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This week on The Sunday Panel, director at Capital and political commentator Ben Thomas and senior PR consultant at One Plus One Communications Damien Venuto joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week - and more! 

The US election is over and done with, and Donald Trump will be the next President of the United States. Do we think he'll be a good leader - or better than Joe Biden? How can we make the most of a Trump presidency?

Insurance premiums are going up at a rapid rate following an increase in floods and other natural disasters. Who should cover these costs?

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End-of-year burnout is a concern plenty of us grapple with ahead of the Christmas season - but how can we get ahead of it?

Workplace stress, holiday obligations, self-reflection and all the anxieties that come with those can contribute to the stressful feelings.

Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara says it's an important time to prioritise self-care and healthy habits - without adding to the seasonal to-do list.

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Beyonce is set to dominate at the 2025 Grammy Awards, as she's leading the pack with 11 nominations.

It's already a history-making moment for Beyonce - she and her husband Jay-Z were originally tied on 88 nominations, but now she's pulled ahead as the most-nominated artist of all time at the Grammys.

Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall says the other nominees for February's event include Charli XCX, Post Malone, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan and Taylor Swift.

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Author Oliver Burkeman's new book offers readers a reality check on their own limitations - and reveals there's benefits to knowing how finite life is.

Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts tells readers there's a limited time frame to get everything done - and that it's okay to embrace your personal limitations in reaching your goals.

Burkeman says people often distract themselves by thinking about the 'one day' in the future where they'll be on top of things and figure out their lives, but that day often never comes.

"It sort of keeps alive that fantasy where maybe we don't have to feel what it is to be a limited, finite human - which is uncomfortable to face, the truth."

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If you're over 50 and can stand on one leg for at least 30 seconds, you may be aging well, according to recent research published in the journal PLOS ONE.

Unipedal balance testing (standing on one leg) is a known measure of neuromuscular aging.  

The study found that as we age, our balance tends to decline more quickly than our walking speed or muscle strength making it a very sensitive predictor of physical ageing. 

In the study, 40 healthy individuals aged over 50 (20 aged under 65, 20 aged 65 and older) underwent tests for walking gait, balance, grip strength, and knee strength.  

During the balance tests, participants stood on force plates for 30 seconds in different positions: 

On both feet with eyes open On both feet with eyes closed On their non-dominant leg with eyes open On their dominant leg with eyes open 

Standing on one leg, particularly the non-dominant leg, showed the highest rate of decline with age. 

Balance is a complex skill that involves muscle strength, visual input, the vestibular system (located in the inner ear), and the somatosensory system, which helps detect and perceive sensations like pain, temperature, and body position. 

The researchers also found that grip strength decreased more rapidly with age than knee strength, making it a better predictor of aging while walking gait which was measured by having participants walk back and forth at their own pace along an 8-meter flat walkway did not change significantly with age. 

Knowing your grip strength and balance time on each leg can be helpful, as you can improve these areas through targeted exercises, reducing your risk of serious injuries as you age as unintentional falls are the leading cause of injury among adults 65 and older, with most falls resulting from a loss of balance. 

So if you want to age gracefully, test your balancing skills and maybe add some strength training to anti-wrinkle cream.

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It’s understandable Auckland CBD's retail and hospitality businesses' initial reaction was one of concern after learning Auckland’s train network will close for 96 days in the final push to get the City Rail Link open in 2026. Devastated even.

In years to come, we will take the CRL for granted as a valuable, normal part of a functioning, modern city. But almost a decade of disruption has taken a toll.

This latest news will be triggering for those impacted. Yes, the rail network upgrades have to be done. Yes, better to bite the bullet now than drag this out for even longer. We are all desperate to cut the ribbon on the CRL and get on with life.

But this news came out of the blue. It’s only 7 weeks until the first shut down - from 27th December to 28th January. This is very short notice for businesses preparing for what they hope will be a busy summer season.  

It's frustrating. What helps manage the pain is how you consult, communicate information, and prepare for the inconvenience.

AT said there will be extra buses to accommodate passengers during the rail closures, but acknowledges special events will be challenging. New Year's Eve, Sail GP, and the ASB Classic are all held over summer period when there will be train stoppages. Honestly, and I know it’s hard for some of you to believe, but Auckland is a great place to be over summer. As long as you can get around.  

It’s not like a sold out concert at Eden Park isn’t challenging enough now for public transport. Which is something the CRL will improve. 

And this is the issue at the heart of it all - new infrastructure can breathe life into a city or region, we just don’t want to live through the nightmare of building it.  

This is not just an Auckland problem. The Government has announced its preferred plan for Wellington is to build two new tunnels to funnel large numbers of cars into the central city. Thats going to be disruptive. I was in Christchurch this week, where there is real excitement about the stadium and the growth of the city - but what a ordeal the last 13 years have been.  

This week, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop released a discussion document which outlines the Infrastructure Commission’s thinking for developing a 30 year National Infrastructure Plan. The idea is to create a bipartisan approach to infrastructure, to plan, fund and deliver what the country needs - but also what it can afford.  

It's a good, forward thinking, organised approach to infrastructure - the plan should be delivered by the end of 2025. It will provide a pipeline, which gives us a much clearer view of upcoming projects and an understanding of what’s involved for those impacted.

So, bring on the upgrades and improvements to our infrastructure, but bring the people along with you. It's not that hard, the Government must consult, communicate and - this is a really important bit-  compensate those adversely impacted. 

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Great Meatloaf 

Cook time: 1 hour 

Prep time: 30 minutes 

Serves: 6-8

1 white onion, finely diced  

500g pork mince  

500g beef mince  

1 ½ cups grated courgettes 

2 cloves garlic  

½ tsp white pepper  

1 tbsp Dijon mustard  

1 cup breadcrumbs  

½ milk  

2 tbsp vegetable oil  

1 egg  

6 tbsp grated Parmesan  

8 slices Parma ham or thin bacon  

½ cup roughly chopped parsley, thyme and rosemary

To serve - homemade tomato sauce, grated parmesan cheese, keep a little bit of parsley for garnish

Preheat oven to 180*.

Combine the breadcrumbs and milk and allow to soften. Heat a fry pan and slowly fry the onion and garlic until soft. 

Take a tea towel and place the grated courgettes into the centre, bundle up the courgette and squeeze out as much water as possible.  

In a large bowl, combine the mince, breadcrumbs, mustard, garlic, onion, mixed herbs, courgettes and season well. 

Lightly oil a loaf tin and line with the Parma ham, overlapping slightly. Press in the meat filling, folding over the remaining Parma ham over the top. Cover with tinfoil and bake for 30 minutes before removing the tinfoil and continue to cook for a further 30 minutes  

After this time, pull out the meatloaf and lightly press down with a chopping board and allow to cool.  

To serve: Turn out the meatloaf into a roasting tray and pour over the tomato sauce. Top with grated parmesan and grill in the oven until golden. Top with chopped parsley. 

Enjoy!

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The four-page Treaty Principles Bill has been introduced - and will be the subject of Parliament debate next week.

Many are wondering about the bill's future, given that Prime Minister Chris Luxon has said his party won't support it past the select committee stage.

NZ Herald political reporter Adam Pearse says Luxon won't even be in the country for its first reading - and will be looking to put some distance between himself and the bill ahead of the APEC summit in Peru.

"He's going overseas and talking with world leaders, particularly at a time after the US election - it's a really important gig."

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Matty Matheson is best known to TV fans as loveable handyman Neil Fak on hit seriesThe Bear - but he's got plenty of real-world experience in the world of food.

But before he appeared on our screens, he made a name for himself as a celebrity chef - he owns plenty of restaurants, hosts YouTube cooking tutorials, and he's written a few cookbooks of his own.

His newest book Soups, Salads, Sandwiches was released earlier this year, and it promises to give readers plenty of easy recipes that can be recreated at home.

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Clean ups are underway as the West Coast recovers from a deluge of rain.

Franz Josef experienced its wettest 24 hours in more than four decades - prompting a state of an emergency for southern Westland.

State Highway 6 from Fox Glacier to Haast has been damaged by slips and flooding - it's closed until at least Monday.

Westland mayor Helen Lash says the road is currently not passable.

"The road has slumped, it's got cracks in it - and we're not prepared to take any risk with putting anybody on that part of the road."

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Days after Republican candidate Donald Trump won the US presidential election, former House speaker Nancy Pelosi blamed Joe Biden for not leaving the race sooner.

Pelosi suggested that there could have been an open primary to determine Biden's replacement if he'd stepped aside earlier, and she claimed Biden's decision to endorse Kamala Harris four months from the election foreclosed that possibility.

US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says the Democrats have been pointing fingers to determine what went wrong last week - but he's got a theory as to what went wrong.

"I think the Democrats underestimated a majority of the country. I think they were focused on what we call the left and the right coasts out here - California and New York - and they forgot the heartland of America, the Midwest and parts of the south." 

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Climate change is fuelling a significant increase in insurance premiums, with experts wondering who should cover the costs.

There's been an elevation in insurance costs for at-risk properties following worsening floods and natural disasters - and a new analysis suggests we'll soon need a better public backstop.

WSP Fellow and Helen Clark Foundation deputy director Kali Mercier says some people's insurance costs have doubled over the last year - and many people are feeling the pinch.

"Consumer New Zealand surveys have shown it's one of the top three economic concerns in families at the moment, insurance prices. So it's already a problem."

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On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 3rd November 2024 -in 1987, pop song 'Never Going to Give You Up' launched Rick Astley to pop stardom and changed his life. But as he tells Francesca this week, it wasn't all glamour and shares the dangers and boredom that come with stardom.

Author Abbott Kahlertells us about the bizarre, fascinating true crime story that inspired her latest work of non-fiction, Eden Undone.

A huge week coming up with the US election this week -former US Ambassador to New Zealand Mark Gilbert gives his thoughts on the how this week might play out.

Francesca's had enough of politicians politicising mental health and just wants everyone to get on and help our struggling children.

And we cover off a cracking weekend of sport.

Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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This Kingdom of Dust by David Dyer.In 1969 Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon and were then safely returned to Earth. In an alternative scenario, what if the lunar landing module failed and they couldn’t get back? It’s a compelling premise, told in three voices – that of Buzz on the moon, his wife Joan back in a US suburb surrounded by other astronauts’ wives waiting for news of her husband, and Aquarius, a journalist hired to write the story of the moon landing who got a lot more than he bargained for.

What I Ate in One Year by Stanley Tucci. The famous author and dedicated gourmet kept a record of his whereabouts and activities throughout 2023, including almost everything he ate. He’s selflessly dedicated to finding great food and takes enormous pleasure in thinking about, planning and then devouring his next meal. It’s a charming, interesting and easy to read diary – and he’s impressive in his commitment! 

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It's been a slow winter for Auckland - but the city's in for an extra boost when Coldplay touches down.

The band's 'Music of the Spheres' tour has caused a significant spike in Australia's hotel and aviation sectors, and it's likely similar growth will happen on this side of the ditch.

BloggerAtLarge.com writer Megan Singleton says last summer's Pink concert generated extra spending across the hospitality and tourism sectors - and there's a case for the Government to lure more big international events over.

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This week on the Sunday Panel, NZ Herald senior writer Simon Wilson and Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!

We've only got a few more sleeps to go until the US election - who do we think is going to win? The polls are still tied - where do we see this going? 

It's been a great weekend for sport - the All Blacks beat England in Twickenham, the Kiwis took on Tonga in the Pacific Championships and Auckland FC won their first game against the Wellington Phoenix. What was our favourite moment?

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'Exercise snacks' are being touted as the newest way to work fitness into a busy life and they're found to contain plenty of physical and mental benefits.

Despite the name, it's not a protein drink or a new diet - rather, it refers to little bursts of intense physical activity that take one or two minutes to complete.

Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara says there's benefits to sprinkling little workouts into the day - and it's good for productivity and focus.

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Pickled vegetables 

Cook time: 5 minutes 

Prep time: 10 minutes 

Serves: 12

Pickled vegetables can include:

Carrots, fennel, baby beetroot, radish, red onions, cucumbers or red cabbage  

1 tsp fennel seeds 

1 tsp coriander seeds  

2 chili  

2 bay leaves  

1 tsp mustard seeds  

300 ml cider vinegar  

250 ml water  

1/4 cup sugar  

Sterilized jar and lid 

Firstly prepare the vegetables for pickling. Clean all the vegetables and cut in 1/2 or 1/4 or finely slice. Trying to make all the vegetable pieces roughly the same size.  

To make your pickle mixture, start by toasting your seeds in a pan until fragrant. Place the rest of the pickling mixture ingredients into a pot, adding seeds once toasted and heat until boiling. 

Remove the pickling mixture from the heat and carefully pour the hot mixture over the top of the vegetables and seal with a lid. (If pickling cucumbers or finely sliced veg allow mixture to cool first).

To sterilize your jars and lids:

Start by washing the jars and lids in soapy water and rinse well with hot water. Place the jars onto a tray open side up and then into a cold oven and turn onto 100*c. Once the oven reaches 100*c leave in the oven for another 5 minutes. Remove jars from the oven to allow to cool slightly before use.  

For the lids, simply place them into a pot and cover with cold water. Bring the water to the boil and heat the lids for 10 minutes before draining and using. 

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While it might seem really traditional, heading to the cinema to watch a movie for a first date could be a really great way to get to know a stranger, according to new research out this week.  

The study published in the journalRoyal Society Open Science found that laughing during a comedy or crying together over a sad film was powerful in strengthening social bonds. 

The study took pairs of strangers and measured their emotional and physiological responses as they watched emotionally charged videos together.   

In addition to asking the participants to rate their emotional experiences they also measured their heart activity with an electrocardiogram, their respiratory activity and their skin conductance. 

They found: 

Positive Emotions Foster Connection

Participants who watched positive videos felt a stronger sense of connection and social identification with each other, suggesting that positive emotions enhance feelings of mutual understanding and affiliation. 

Impact of Negative Emotions

Even with negative emotional videos, an increase in positive feelings during the experience correlated with greater bonding. This suggests that while negative emotions capture attention, it’s positive emotional responses that most reliably foster connection. 

Joint Attention Matters

Watching the same video with a shared focus boosted prosocial attitudes and feelings of connection, especially in highly emotional contexts. This shared attention helped participants feel more connected, highlighting the power of collective emotional experiences. 

Physiological Synchrony Enhances Bonding

The study also found that participants’ physiological responses, such as heart rate and respiratory patterns, tended to synchronize during emotionally intense videos. This alignment was linked to a stronger sense of connection between individuals. 

The study illustrates that both positive and negative emotions can enhance social bonds, with positive emotions being particularly influential in creating a sense of connectedness. Shared attention and synchronised physiological responses amplify these effects, making emotionally charged experiences powerful catalysts for social bonding.

So if you have a first date scheduled for this weekend - find a comedy and head to the movies to test how well you bond with your date. 

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Brat has been named as the Collins Dictionary word of the year.

The term is defined as someone with a 'confident, independent and hedonistic attitude' and has been inspired by Charli XCX's album of the same name, released in June.

Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall says 'brat summer' became a cultural movement overseas - and is expected to continue with Charli XCX headlining Laneway next February.

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Abbot Kahler's new book Eden Undone details the story of a group of European exiles who try to build a community on a remote island - but the true story is stranger than fiction.

In the 1930s, a German couple opted to leave Europe and flee to the Galápagos Islands to live a simple life away from the chaos of civilization - and found themselves building a new society with two smaller groups of people.

Kahler says she was drawn in by the true crime documents that showcased mysterious disappearances, dead bodies and different stories - and she wanted to explore it further.

"It was the most bizarre headline I'd ever read in my life...and I was intrigued. I did more digging and uncovered this really incredible story."

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80’s hit-maker Rick Astley has opened up about the less glamourous parts that come with fame.

After Astley released his debut album Whenever You Need Somebody in 1987, featuring the iconic Never Gonna Give You Up, he topped the charts across 25 different countries - but he pulled back from the spotlight 6 years later.

His new memoir Never: The Autobiography explores the dangerous - and monotonous - parts of his unique music career.

"I struggled with it a lot. There's parts of it that are fun and there's parts of it that were more fun than when I was truly actually famous. I think now I get to enjoy it - and it's a bit more of a switch now."

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New data from Stats NZ shows alcohol consumption among Kiwis has been trending down - with research indicating New Zealanders are drinking below the OECD average.

The total value of the low or no alcohol drinks category is now worth $13 billion dollars globally, a 5 percent increase on the previous year.

Free AF founder Lisa King says there's a significant shift in how people view alcohol, with young people being more mindful about the harm that comes with it.

"We're seeing a real shift towards moderation - not complete sobriety, but definitely a reduction and moderation in drinking. That's particularly driven by the younger generation, they're much more health-conscious."

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It was a tight test victory for the All Blacks in this morning's test match in Twickenham.

The come-from-behind 24-22 win was sealed when English replacement George Ford missed an injury time drop goal.

Newstalk ZB rugby commentator Elliott Smith says the All Blacks will be feeling positive after the win - but they have a few worries to clear up before they get to Dublin.

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One expert predicts the Government will be grilled over the Mike King saga once Parliament returns from its recess.

Labour has called for Gumboot Friday's funding to be pulled after its campaigner told Newstalk ZB alcohol is a solution for mental illness.

King stands by his statements and says there will be evidence proving him right - but has not provided research.

NZ Herald political reporter Jamie Ensor says Minister Matt Doocey says the Government will continue to fund the charity - despite Labour's opposition to the move.

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There's only a few days remaining until the US election and the race is still neck-and-neck.

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are holding duelling campaigns in the battleground states as the pair compete for the key to the White House.

Former US Ambassador to New Zealand Mark Gilbert says everyone was expecting a tight race ahead of the big day.

"Polls have been this tight before, but I don't think the race has been this tight before. Everybody thought the Mitt Romney-Barack Obama race in 2012 was this close - but internally, we have ourselves winning 10 of the 12 battleground states."

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If you care about the mental health of our young people, if you are a parent of a child who is struggling or advocating to get your child or young adult diagnosed and treated, the last thing you want to hear in the news is more gotcha moments around the I Am Hope charity - and politicians reacting to it.  

As someone who has first-hand experience of how overwhelmed our mental health system is, and how long and hard parents must fight and wait for the life changing and often life-saving treatment our children and adolescents need, there is nothing appealing about politicising the issue.  

This is not the time for grandstanding. This is not the time for the opposition to count hits against the coalition Government; and this is not the time for the Government to sweep their decision-making under the carpet.  

These are children’s lives we are talking about. This is families in distress and disarray. Please, can we do away with the sound bites and headlines and get on with the job?

The Prime Minister was right when he said this week: “Do not play politics with youth mental health”. He said this in response to calls for his Government to review funding for Mike King’s mental health charity I Am Hope, in the wake of an ill-considered and out-of-context comment King made about alcohol being a short-term fix for those going through a rough period with their mental health.  

But when you grant one charity $24 million over 4 years - more than the whole contestable Mental Health Innovation Fund promised by National - then I am sorry Prime Minister, but you have opened this issue up for scrutiny.  

At the beginning of October, the Auditor General raised concerns about the process in which the Ministry of Health allocated the funding, “without an open, transparent, and competitive procurement process”. The ministry took the hit, but the push to do what they did came from the Government. 

So it is on the Ministry and the Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey to assure this investment is achieving the performance measures set in place. That it is helping make a difference to the stretched public service by providing support for young people in distress.  

And if it is not, to do something about it.  

As for Gumboot Friday and I am Hope - forget the commentary and the politicking and get on with what you are so determined to do. Improve the mental health of our young people. 

We all need this to work, and we all will benefit when it does. So I strongly suggest everyone stick to their own lanes and get on with it.

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Kawai: Tree of Nourishment by Monty Soutar. 

This is the sequel to the book Kawai: For Such a Time as This which came out two years ago, and this new one is the second in a planned trilogy. The original book was set in mid 18th century New Zealand, and the new one picks up the story in the early 19th century, a couple of generations on. The main character this time is Hine-aute, granddaughter of Kaitanga who was the legendary warrior in the first book and the story is grounded in New Zealand’s history at that time – the coming of muskets, white people, disease and a new religion. It’s a riveting read, fully immersed in the history of those years and very much brought to life.

From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough. 

Lisa Marie Presley had intended to write her memoir and recorded many hours of audio for the project but died before she was able to complete the book. Her daughter Riley Keough (Elvis’s granddaughter) has taken the tapes and written the book on behalf of her mother – it’s all told in the first person, using either her mother’s words or her own, and tells the story of what it was like to grow up at Graceland; of the incredibly close relationship Lisa Marie had with her father; of battling grief and demons for the rest of her life; her relationship with Danny Keough and her subsequent marriage to Michael Jackson – and much more. It’s another story about how you can have all the money in the world and still not be able to fix the things that need fixing. The book is an extraordinary labour of love and respect from Riley to her mother, with insight into what it was like to be part of the Elvis myth and legacy. 

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It's Halloween this week - and to mark the occasion, Megan Singleton recapped her experience at Philadelphia's spookiest fundraiser.

Eastern State Penitentiary's 'Halloween Nights event runs from September 20 to November 9 and it's designed to scare the life out of visitors while raising money for a good cause.

BloggerAtLarge's Megan Singleton shared the memorable moments from her experience - including the cocktail bar for 'scaredy cats' who want to contribute without being frightened.

Read more about Megan's experience here.

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This week on the Sunday Panel, comedian Penny Ashton and Newstalk ZB host Roman Travers joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!

Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has confirmed he's going to step in and intervene at Wellington Council amid concerns about their finances. Is this the right move?

Waikato has earned New Zealand its first spot in Expedia Group’s global travel trends list. Do we agree with this?

The story of Basil/Muffin the cat made the news and sparked a debate - how long is too long to reclaim your lost pet?

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On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 27 October 2024, comedian Jack Whitehall and his father Michael talked about their upcoming tour set to come to New Zealand in January.

We're less than two weeks away from the US election and emotions are running high. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson joined Francesca to discuss the mood of the voters ahead of the big day.

It's the end of an era for Kiwi parents, as Francesca reflects on her son finishing year 13 and getting out into the world.

Plus, Nagi Maehashi previews more quick, easy and tasty recipes in her second cookbook Tonight.

Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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A recent article about a woman who engineered her life to ensure she lived to 150 made the rounds online and sparked discussion about whether we can really extend our lives though diet and excercise.

'Biohacking' has recently captured the minds of people - but are there really practical 'silver bullet' solutions that can keep you healthier and livelier for longer?

Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara says there's no expensive trick to help you look better, live longer or stay healthier, and regular exercise and a healthy diet can boost wellness without the gimmicks. 

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Kiwi metal fans can rejoice - as Metallica has confirmed they'll bring their M72 world tour to New Zealand in November 2025.

The band will perform at Auckland's Eden Park, and fans will be able to experience the band in person for the first time since 2010. 

Entertainment commentator Chris Schulz says this experience comes with a high price - as tickets are expected to sell for a record-shattering sum.

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If you are going in for surgery soon and are looking for a simple, creative way to recover faster - music might be the key. According to research presented at the 2024American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress, listening to music post-surgery can make a noticeable difference in your recovery.

The researchers analysed 35 studies on the effects of music on surgery patients. 

They found that listening to music either through headphones or speakers resulted in:

Lower pain levels: Patients who listened to music reported less pain the day after surgery, with up to a 19% reduction on pain scales.  What's interesting is that the researchers couldn't prove that the patients were actually in less pain, but their perception around the amount of pain they were in was reduced. 

Reduced anxiety: Music helped lower anxiety levels by about 3%, offering patients much-needed calm during recovery. 

Less opioid use: Patients listening to music used less than half the amount of morphine compared to those who didn’t. 

Slower heart rate: Music listeners had a reduced heart rate, which aids recovery by promoting better circulation and reducing the risk of complications like abnormal heart rhythms. 

The theory is that when patients wake up after surgery, they might feel scared or be unsure about where they are. Music helps to ease this transition after surgery and reduces stress levels in the body. 

Unlike more active recovery methods, listening to music requires little effort, making it a perfect option for post-op patients.

So, if you’ve just had surgery, the advice is simple - just play the music you love. 

Whether it’s classical, rock, or pop, music could be a comforting and powerful tool to help you heal.

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Grilled marshmallow with lime honey syrup 

Cook time: 10 minutes

Prep time: 15 minutes

Serves: 6

10g gelatine powder  

¼ cup warm water  

¾ cup sugar  

¼ cup glucose  

¼ cup water  

Pinch salt  

½ tsp vanilla paste  

1 rockmelon, peeled and cut into wedges  

Handful mint leaves to garnish 

Lime honey syrup  

1 tbsp honey  

½ tsp vanilla paste  

Juice of 2 limes

Line a deep loaf or baking tin with cling film and spray with cooking spray.

Dissolve gelatine in first measure of warm water. Combine sugar, glucose, salt, vanilla and second measure of water in a saucepan. Bring to the boil, reduce heat and cook for 1 minute. Add the dissolved gelatine and mix. Transfer the hot mixture to the bowl of a mixer and beat on high speed (using whisk attachment) for 12 minutes until thick and cool. Pour into prepared tin, smooth and refrigerate until set. Using a hot, wet knife, cut the marshmallow into 3cm x 3cm cubes. Dip the knife into hot water in between each cut.

Thread 2-3 pieces of marshmallow onto each skewer and grill until golden.  

To serve, arrange marshmallow skewers and rockmelon wedges on a serving plate. Drizzle with lime syrup and garnish with mint leaves.  

Lime honey syrup  

Place honey, vanilla and lime juice in a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Simmer for 2 minutes and remove from heat. 

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The food blogger and author behind RecipeTin Eats is back with another cookbook set to make dinner prep easier.

Tonightis Nagi Maehashi's second book - and it gives readers more quick, easy and tasty recipes to choose from.

Maehashi says it's always 'satisfying' publishing a new book that manages to capture the public's attention. 

"I just do what I did 10 years ago - I'm just working in a slightly different landscape now. But from my perspective, I'm just doing exactly what I did 10 years ago."

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British comedian, actor and writer Jack Whitehall has confirmed that he and his father will stop over in New Zealand as part of their latest tour.

Jack and Michael Whitehall have been exploring the world for years as part of their Netflix series Jack Whitehall: Travels With My Father - and Kiwi fans can catch them in January 2025.

The pair have also joined forces for another Netflix series about Jack's own fatherhood journey and experience becoming a dad.

"I've never thoughtTravels With My Fatherwas over - we did stop doing it, but we all had such fun. I still think - you never know, it might come back. But with these live shows we're doing, it's come full circle."

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Experts have warned of the 'dangerous' consequences that come with the sun reaching peak solar energy.

NASA claimed this increases the possibility of geomagnetic storms, blackouts and global communication disruptions.

Astronomer and Otago University director Dr Ian Griffin says this means more solar storms are likely to occur, which increases the odds of seeing auroras - but there's a downside.

"So when the sun is at its maximum, where we see lots of spots on the sun, we tend to see lots of activity and lots of auroras. And sometimes we get these enormous storms that can impact on the power grid and do strange things to satellites in orbit."

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There's less than two weeks to go until the US election, and new data shows the race is still very close.

New polls show the margins are narrow in the seven key swing states - and recent reports from the American Psychological Association reveal the election is one of the biggest stressors impacting US voters.

US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says early voting numbers have hit a record high - but Trump and Harris will have to work to capture the battleground states.

"I don't think they're panicking - I think Trump is going to, between now and election day, do what he does, which is not stay on target... I think Harris and her campaign are going to try and make her look more presidential."

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Climate change has been the centre of conversation for leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. 

Chris Luxon has announced the Government will contribute $20 million for the Pacific Resilience Facility while in Samoa for the meeting. 

The money will be used to encourage spending to prepare the Pacific for natural disasters - and resilience against climate change.

Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls says the Government is committed to reducing the impact of disasters - including hurricanes and cyclones.

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One former Black Cap was pleasantly surprised by the team's record-shattering test win.

New Zealand's men's cricketers have claimed a first test series win in India - clinched with a 113-run victory in game two in Pune.

Craig Cumming explained that hopes weren't high ahead of the match, but the team turned themselves around and walked away win a win in 'tough' conditions.

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If you have a child in year 13, like we do, there’s a good chance they had their last official day of school on Friday. It has been a big week, with a fitting celebration on Friday evening. It’s also been quite emotional.

There are still exams to come, and a graduation dinner – but 13 years of bells, uniforms, timetables, organised sport, study, exams, dramas, and discovering your identity as you move from tween to teen has come to an end.

It has been a lot. Just completing high school is an accomplishment in itself.

So regardless of whether you loved or hated the experience it’s worth taking a moment to celebrate and reflect.

13 years and 3 schools, it’s been a rollercoaster ride filled with highs and lows, regrets and achievements, lessons learnt – both in the classroom  and socially, and for many it’s one a toughest social experiments they’ll experience.

So congratulations to all the school leavers out there - you have survived the zoo.

And now, as life changes for one member of our family, it changes for us all. We all feel a bit differently about it in our house. My son has made the most of celebrating the comradery of his year group, and the shenanigans of the final week of school, but admits he’s emotional about it all coming to an end. His father is contemplating how much he will miss his son when he moves to a different city for university.

Like many younger siblings -  his young sister is simply looking forward to having a bathroom to herself.

As for me? Well, I’m a mixed bag of nostalgia, relief and excitement. Unlike his father, I think I struggled with the loss of my gorgeous young boy when puberty hit. You know, that stage when they go from cuddly, overly enthusiastic and communicative to grunters who can’t remember why they crossed the room.

As the parent dealing with the more day to day aspects of our kids’ lives, I grieved for the loss of my little boy. I knew he’d be back, and he is – he’s a gorgeous, smart, kind and happy young man, but I wonder whether that grief mothers experience when their sons are around 13 is an opportunity for them to slowly start preparing to let their boys go at 18.

When he leaves I will miss him terribly. But I know he’s ready to go, and needs to go, and I believe our mother-son relationship will go to a new level when he does.

So yes, I am sentimental about the end of school. I’m emotional seeing the emotion between mates, the strength of the friendships he’s made, and the realisation many are heading off in different directions next year. But I am also hugely excited for him to explore his new-found freedom and find what his future holds.

To keep the emotions in check, this week I drew on Celia Lashlie, author of He'll Be Ok: Growing Gorgeous Boys Into Good Men. She had a ‘bridge of adolescence’ concept. She believed mothers should walk on to the bridge, let their son's hand go, sit on the side and enjoy watching him, occasionally engaging in what is going on if help is needed.

As hard as that’s going to be – that’s what I am going to try and do. 

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Framed by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey. The authors have taken 10 cases of miscarriages of justice in the US and shown the impact of wrongful imprisonment on the men involved and their families and communities – but also look at how such things occur – the racism, misconduct, flawed testimony and court system that allows the convictions to stand and pleas for exoneration ignored – even when there is overwhelming evidence against the verdict.

We are the Stars by Gina Chick. Gina Chick is an Australian force of nature. She’s led an extraordinary life – an unconventional childhood, a love affair with a conman that sent her to the wilderness to find herself and recover, and is in possession of a truly elemental nature. Through love and grief, she’s used those qualities to make sense of the world and her place in it and she’s a fiercely tough, independent woman who’s been through the fire and out the other side.

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BloggerAtLarge.com writer Megan Singleton's gotten back from Rarotonga - and she's got some recommendations for prospective travellers looking to explore the region.

She's outlined her favourite restaurants, her tips for dealing with unpredictable weather - and shared her top spot to go snorkelling with the turtles.

Read more about Megan's experience in Rarotonga here. 

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Today on The Sunday Panel, broadcaster and journalist Wilhelmina Shrimpton andpartner at Freebairn and Hehir Lawyers, Liam Hehir, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week- and more!

Another great day for Team New Zealand in the America's Cup- but there's not a lot of interest. Should the next defence be held in New Zealand? How can we get Kiwis interested?

The UK has floated utilising weight-loss drugs to curb unemployment. Do we think this is a good idea - or do we worry about the ethical use of these drugs? 

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As the world's population get older, there's growing concern about increased rates of Parkinson's disease.

From 1990 to 2015, the number of people with Parkinson disease doubled to over 6 million - and the number is predicted to double again by 2040.

Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara says it's unclear why these rates have gone up - but there are plenty of environmental factors believed to influence the condition. 

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On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 20 October 2024, British actress and global star Gemma Arterton talks about her new film The Critic and regrets from early in her career.

Kiwi singer and solo sailor Andrew Fagan tells the story of ill-fated attempt at sailing around the world in a small yacht.

Team New Zealand has claimed the America's Cup in commanding fashion - Francesca talks to our reporter on the ground Christopher Reive.

Francesca's pleased the Greens are finally moving on from Darleen Tana and Dr Michelle Dickinsonhas good news for snackers!

Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Liam and Noel Gallagher will be bringing their hotly-anticipated 2025 Oasis reunion tour over to Australia next October.

Tickets went on sale earlier in the week - and fans on both ends of the Tasman have been willing to spend as much as $800 per ticket to catch the brothers playing together again.

Entertainment commentator Chris Schulz is among the lucky few Kiwis who got tickets for the tour - and he speculates whether or not the band will be together by this time next year.

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In early 2022, famed solo sailor Andrew Fagan set off to attempt to beat a world record in a tiny 5.1mplywood yacht.

He aimed to use the yacht, Swirly World in Perpetuity, to beat the record for 'The smallest boat to sail solo around the world via the Great Capes'.   

His mission didn't go to plan - but he managed to tell the tale in his new book Swirly World: Lost At Sea.

He says he'd managed to sail to Australia and New Zealand's Subantarctic Islands - so he thought this was a logical next step.

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Scientists have just found that the best way to burn more calories is to snack - exercise snack that is! 

The research published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that climbing stairs or walking for short bursts resulted in people consuming 20 percent to 60 percent more energy than if they did the same activity nonstop for the same distance.  

The study compared the oxygen and energy demands of volunteers walking or climbing stairs. It found that the first moments of activity are the least efficient. Much like how a car consumes more fuel when starting up, the human body uses more energy at the beginning of a walk or climb before it hits its stride. 

To gather these insights, researchers measured the oxygen consumption of participants across different walking speeds and durations, from as short as 10 seconds to up to four minutes. They found that short bursts of walking or stair-climbing demanded significantly more energy than continuous walking over the same distance. 

This research reinforces the health benefits of brief, energetic movements, known as 'exercise snacks' - which involve short bursts of activity lasting just a minute or two. These mini workouts can be especially beneficial for people who lead sedentary lifestyles or have limited mobility, including those with obesity or recovering from strokes. 

While most studies on walking have focused on steady-state exercises lasting several minutes, this research offers new insights into the benefits of shorter bursts. It also highlights the potential for designing rehabilitation programs tailored to those who may not be able to walk for extended periods, such as elderly individuals or those with gait disorders. 

By rethinking how we measure the energy demands of walking, this study opens the door to more inclusive and effective approaches to physical activity for all.   

Some examples of 'exercise snacks' include: 

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Mike's super moorish chocolate cake 

Cook time: 30-40 minutes 

Prep time: 5 minutes 

Serves: large cake 

100ml vegetable oil  

250ml cream  

1 cup boiling water  

1 tsp vanilla paste 

2 eggs  

1 1/2 cups caster sugar  

Pinch salt  

2 tsp baking soda  

1/2 cup cocoa powder  

1 3/4 cups plain flour

In a large mixing bowl, with a whisk, combine ingredients one at a time starting from the top and working your way down.  

Mix well until all combined (will be quite runny) Pour into a greased and lined 20cm x 30cm tin or cake mould. 

Cook in a pre-heated 170*C oven, for anywhere between 35-45 minutes. 

Check regularly, and skewer test. When it comes out clean, it's good to go.  

Coat it in chocolate ganache or like a Italian meringue and use a blow torch to burn the outside.

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Designer Wardrobe, the famed online retail start-up, has confirmed it plans to expand over into Australia.

The company was founded in 2015, and it connects sellers looking to part with their pre-loved designer clothing with buyers looking for bargains.

CEO Aidan Bartlett says the company's seen a surge in demand - including increased interest from Australian consumers.

"For us, it's just saying - hey, we believe in this platform and where it can go. So we're just pushing that button and doing it now, rather than waiting. It just makes a lot of sense for us."

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British actress and producer Gemma Arterton has led a long-running and diverse acting career, with many roles to her name.

She made her film debut in the 2007 comedy St Trinian'sand made her mark in the 2008 blockbusterQuantum of Solace as a Bond Girl.

Since then, she's gone on to star in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Clash of the Titans, The King’s Man, andRogue Agent - and she stars in the TV series Funny Woman.

Her newest role sees her playing a budding actress being blackmailed by a powerful critic in the 1930's-set thriller The Critic. 

She says she was drawn to the role when she first got word of it - and working with Sir Ian McKellen was a 'privilege'.

"It was one of the biggest privileges of my whole life, really, working with him - so it was a no-brainer, really."

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Experts agree Darleen Tana's days in Parliament are numbered.

On Thursday, Green Party delegates voted to ask House Speaker Gerry Brownlee to oust the now-independent MP.

Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls says this is uncharted territory for the Party - and it's unclear how this will play out ahead of the next election.

"We've seen the polls move up and down over the last seven months or so, with how long this story has been running for. I think it's had an impact on the party, but we're still two years away from an election - so I think they can bounce back." 

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Nursing students across the country took to the streets yesterday amid rising financial pressures and lack of job vacancies.

They've raised concerns about the lack of financial support for nurses-in-training during full-time placements - with many working up to three months with no compensation.

Student nurse Shannyn Bristowe says there's a significant number of students who drop out of training due to financial reasons.

"We need to realise that the cost of living has gone up by such a significant amount that while you're studying for your degree - you don't actually have the costs to meet the basic necessities of living or supporting yourself or your whanau." 

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Three America's Cup wins on the bounce for Team New Zealand - after cruising to victory with a 7-2 series win over Britannia.

The Kiwi syndicate winning race nine by 37 seconds to clinch the required seventh win and keep the Auld Mug.

NZ Herald sports reporter Chris Reive recaps Team New Zealand's 'exciting' sailing win.

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It’s not over yet, but just maybe there is light at the end of the Darleen Tana drama tunnel. Please let it be.  

The Green Party has their own uniquely democratic and patient way of reaching a decision, but seven months and running to get this sorted is surely testing even their limits.

It was good this week to see a consensus of delegates agree to using the waka-jumping law - or the electoral integrity clause in the Electoral Act - to eject Tana. The co-leaders have now written to Speaker Gerry Brownlee, asking him to trigger the law and eject her from Parliament.  

This issue has been a huge drag for the party, and good on them for their change of heart. They would obviously prefer not to be in this position, but they recognise this is the quickest way of getting to what they believe is the right outcome - the removal of Tana from Parliament.

It’s been a year of dealing with HR setbacks and issues for the Greens - the resignation of Golriz Ghahraman at the beginning of the year, followed by the election for a new co-leader after James Shaw’s resignation, and multiple complaints about Julie Anne Genter’s behaviour. But the most damaging and long running distraction has been the removal of a list MP they found to be completely at odds with the parties values, policies or Kaupapa.  

For a very principled party, it’s not a good look to reverse their opposition to the party jumping law since the first version was passed in 2001.  

But the Greens aren’t the first, and won’t be the last party, to about-face on a law or policy.  Flexibility about principles is not something that comes as naturally to the Greens as other political parties, but it has always been part of politics.

And let’s be honest, an independent report didn’t work. Letters and public appeals from the Greens' leaders didn’t work. Talking about how Tana had distorted the proportionality of the house didn’t work. Public opinion hasn’t worked. If it wasn’t so self-serving, you’d admire Tana’s tenacity in refusing to go.  

So the Greens have been left with little choice but to embraced the ugly old party-hopping law. Of course it’s not over yet. There is still an appeal to sort out, and then it’s up to the Speaker.  

Even though this crazy year hasn’t significantly impacted the Greens in the polls, they will be keen to put this behind them. They can then get on with Swarbrick's plan to evolve the Greens into a party that can lead the government in the not so distant future.  

And no doubt this cautionary tale will have all political parties quietly mulling over how to make sure their processes for selecting list candidates are as robust as they can be.  

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I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon. The Romanovs hold an enduring fascination for many of us, and this is the fictional account of Anna Anderson, who for 50 years claimed that she survived the massacre and was in fact Anastasia Romanov. The author cleverly presents the details of what happened, and this woman’s subsequent fight to be recognised as genuine – and then lets you, the reader. decide where you think the truth lies.

Eden Undone by Abbott Kahler. In the 1930’s, a German couple moved to the Galapagos Islands to establish a new Utopia where, over time, they were joined by two more groups. They were all eccentric – an Austrian “baroness” arrived with two lovers in tow - and there were shenanigans. A number of wealthy Americans on scientific expeditions visited and befriended them, along with an increasing number of tourists who came to ogle, and things eventually went from bad to worse with two of the colony missing and three found dead. Paradise was lost.

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Cooks Islands tourism figures have exceeded industry expectations for the second year in a row.

After a Covid-induced downturn, travel stats surpassed predicted figures for the 2023 year - and 2024 is on track to record a similar boom.

BloggerAtLarge.com writer Megan Singleton says it's likely over 115,000 Kiwi travellers will visit the region by the end of the year alone.

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This week on the Sunday Panel, Coast Day host Lorna Riley andresident economist at Opes Partners, Ed McKnight, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week - and more! 

New research reveals over 60 percent of Kiwis are avoiding the news, citing lack of trust and negative impact on mental well-being. Should we be concerned?

Are dress codes outdated? Some Christchurch made headlines for their 'archaic' dress standards. Do we agree with this?

How would we feel if it was proven Sir Ed wasn’t the first to summit Everest? 

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On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for 13th October 2024, Celebrity Treasure Island and ZM host Bree Tomasel opens up on a harrowing childhood experience and her journey to find herself.

Girl on the Train author Paula Hawkins talks finding fame later in life and her new book touted as her best yet.

Francesca reflects on the one year anniversary of the Christopher Luxon led Government and questions whether she's convinced by him as Prime Minister.

A new study shows 60 percent of New Zealanders are avoiding the news - the highest reported rate of media avoidance in the world.Dr Alex Beattie tells us why we are turning away.

Following the discovery of climber Sandy Irvine's boot on Mt Everest, the panel discusses how New Zealand would cope if it was discovered Sir Ed wasn't the first to conquer Everest.

And Chris Schulz reviews the film Donald Trump didn't want us to see.

Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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October 12 marked World Arthritis Day, a global awareness day to acknowledge those suffering from rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.

It’s estimated more than 670,000 New Zealanders have arthritis. 

Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara shares her tips to get ahead of managing joint pain as you age. 

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A new biographical drama filmbased on Donald Trump's early years has arrived in theatres weeks ahead of the election - and the Republican nominee is less than pleased.

Trump's team has threatened to sue director Ali Abbasi in a bid to delay the wide release of The Apprentice after it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May.

Entertainment commentator describes The Apprentice as 'a super-villain origin story' - exploring the early years of the former real estate mogul and his pursuit of power. 

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The next time you head to the zoo and see an elephant, look closely at its trunk, you might be able to tell if it's a "lefty" or a "righty" based on its whiskers and wrinkles. 

A study published in the journal Royal Society Open Scienceoffers a clever way to identify an elephant’s preferred "handedness" by examining the wrinkles and whiskers on its trunk. Just as humans tend to favour one hand, elephants often prefer to bend their trunks either to the left or right when grabbing objects like fruit. This preference, known as "trunkedness," leaves two tell-tale signs:  

1 - Whiskers on the side opposite the curl become shorter and sparser from constant contact with the ground. 

2 - The skin on the curled-in side develops more wrinkles over time.  

The study closely analysed the skin wrinkles formed on the trunks of both living and deceased zoo elephants. They found that trunk wrinkles start forming in utero and double about every 20 days during an early phase of rapid development. Like humans, elephants accumulate more wrinkles as they age. For example, new-born elephants have an average of 87 wrinkles, while older elephants sport around 109. 

Elephant trunks are extraordinary, and attract the attention of researchers in fields like soft robotics as trunks function as muscular hydrostats - meaning they have no bones, but are made up of an intricate network of 46,00 muscles. In comparison, the human body has just 600 to 700 muscles.

While a trunk’s flexibility is remarkable, its thick outer skin also plays a crucial role. Surprisingly, this skin on the trunk of an elephant is stretchier on the upper surface than on the underside, which allows for the delicate manoeuvres elephants are known for, like peeling a banana or picking up a tortilla chip without breaking it. 

But these wrinkles are more than just signs of aging - they are essential to an elephant’s survival. They help protect the flexible trunk and aid in gripping heavy objects. The combination of flexibility, strength, and unique skin characteristics makes the elephant trunk highly unique in nature and a source of valuable insight for robotics and other fields. 

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It's nearly been a full decade since British author Paula Hawkins made a name for herself in the literary world.

Crime thriller The Girl on the Trainwas a global number one bestseller - it sold over 23 million copies and helped solidify Hawkins' place in the crime fiction sphere. 

She's returned with her latest work, The Blue Hour, and fans and critics alike are calling it her best book yet.

Hawkins says her strategy to keep readers hooked is to keep little plot twists coming - and encourage readers to go back and look for hints.

"There are obviously lots of different ways of getting into books - and some are slow burns. But it's a great thing where you come up with an idea and think - oh yes, I can grab them with this one." 

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Bree Tomasel, the co-host of Celebrity Treasure Island and ZM's afternoon drive show has opened up about the substance behind the banter in her new memoir.

UnApologetically Me reveals Tomasel struggled with ADHD, anxiety, personal discoveries - and survived a traumatic attack as a child.

She says she was inspired to share her story in a bid to help other people process their own personal struggles.

"I thought - if I could help even just one person, then I've done my job."

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The NZ Herald’s original true crime podcast, Chasing Ghosts, is back to explore the notorious decades-long catfishing scheme conducted by one New Zealand woman.

In April 2011, a woman was found to have tricked dozens of teenage boys and young men across Christchurch with fake profiles - into starting romantic relationships online.

The perpetrator, Natalia Burgess, was eventually caught and jailed for two years and two months in 2013 - but journalist David Fisher learned that wasn't the end of the story.

He says an email from out of the blue alerted him to a new victim - who discovered Burgess had taken her likeness to resume her catfishing after she was released from prison. 

"As journalists, we have to check, we have to verify everything that we do. While I considered it was a possibility, I kept an open mind until I gathered the evidence. The evidence was unequivocal - it was most definitely Natalia Burgess at it again."

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New Zealand First faithful are hammering out policy ideas at their annual conference in Hamilton. 

More than 250 delegates are in attendance in a turn-out leader Winston Peters has dubbed the 'best crowd in decades'. 

 NZ Herald political reporter Adam Pearse is expecting a 'lively' atmosphere at the party's first event since they got into Government. 

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Jammy Dodgers 

Cook time: 15 minutes 

Prep time: 35 minutes 

Serves: 10 biscuits 

100 gm caster sugar  

175 gm butter  

1/4 tsp salt  

1 lemon zest  

2 tbsp cornflour  

200 gm standard flour  

120 gm raspberry jam  

Extra icing sugar 

 Pre-heat your oven to 180*c. Lightly cream the sugar, butter, salt and lemon zest. Add half the sifted ingredients, creaming until combined. Fold in the remaining dry ingredients.  

Form a ball and chill for 30 minutes.  

Lightly knead the shortbread and roll out to 1cm thickness. Cut into rounds and place onto a baking paper lined tray.  

Dock each round with a fork and bake for about 15 minutes until tinged and lightly golden.  

Allow to cool.  

Place the jam into a small pot and heat over a low heat. Spoon a good layer on jam into the center of one biscuit and then top with another.  

Dust with icing sugar and you're good to go! 

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A month away from competitive racing hasn't harmed Team New Zealand.

The holders have started their defence of the America's Cup in emphatic style - beating Britannia in both races on Day One, the first by 41 seconds, the second by 27 seconds.

Sailing commentator Chris Steele says this marks a tough start to the Cup for Britannia.

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More and more Kiwis appear to be avoiding the news in droves.

According to a new study, 60 percent of New Zealanders have admitted to avoiding the news - citing lack of trust or the way it negatively impacts their mood.

Victoria University's Dr Alex Beattie, the lead author behind the study, says people's appetite for the news has decreased in recent years amid a surge in negative headlines. 

"The pandemic, the number of wars, crises - and I think that's having a cumulative effect. There's also the perceived quality - or lack of quality - to the news, there's a perception of bias."

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Tomorrow marks 12 months since the election which saw the country take a step to the to the right, with Christopher Luxon’s coalition coming into power.

During the week, I've read numerous opinion pieces reflecting on politics in NZ under both Hipkins and Luxon’s leadership.

We know it has taken the Prime Minister time to grasp the nuances of politics - but credit where credit’s due, he’s rip-roaring through his to do list. So, it seems odd there’s chat about how long he will last in the job, or who else should be leader. That these topics keep popping up suggests the leadership of both National and Labour isn't quite hitting the mark.

Peter Dunne wrote a piece on Newsroom titledWhy Luxon Won’t Outstay his Welcome, sharing his thoughts on why Christopher Luxon is unlikely to be a long-term Prime Minister. He also points out the pros and cons of having non-career politicians in power.

Dunne wrote - “The positive aspect of this non-careerist approach is politicians who are focused on achieving the policy goals dear to them, and not outstaying their public welcome”. He went on to say, “The counter is that the value of political experience in resolving awkward situations is insufficiently appreciated.”

Off the back of the Mood of the Boardroom survey, which ranked Luxon sixth in the rankings of Cabinet Ministers’ KPI’s, Matthew Hooten, writing in the Herald, suggested some alternative leadership names.

 He wrote that neither Luxon nor Hipkins seem up to the leadership required – but he was impressed with the seriousness shown by National’s Nicola Willis and Labour’s Barbara Edmonds in their portfolios. 

Looking back on the political year, it’s been fast and furious. It takes some effort to keep up with what has been repealed, paused, fast-tracked or implemented. We’ve had tax cuts, inflation drop, the return of roads, changes to the Smokefree policy, benefit reform, public service cuts, the Fast Track Approvals Bill, Law and Order legislation, replacement of the RMA, budget blowouts at Health NZ, a reset for education - and more besides.

If you had to describe the last 12 months, I’d call it busy. The coalition has done a good job identifying the core issues facing the country, but whether their approaches to fixing these problems will be successful - only time will tell.

The Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll released on Friday showed support for National and Christopher Luxon dropping. I tend to take polls with a grain of salt, but it’s another indication New Zealanders aren’t entirely convinced about National’s leadership.

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This is the F#$%ing News by Paddy Gower - Funny, brutally honest and packed with amazing yarns and incredible stories from a huge and varied career, this is Paddy Gower, unleashed.

Madwoman by Chelsea Bieker -A gripping story of motherhood and motherloss and the brutal, mighty things women do to keep themselves and each other alive.

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Megan Singleton chats to Francesca Rudkin about new changes to the UK visa from January 8th, what it entails, why it's significant and how it will affect travel

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In this week's edition of the Sunday Panel, TV Producer Irene Gardiner and Radio Host Roman Travers join in on a chat about the following issues of the week - and more!

Google threatens NZ media - are we doomed? How did we get here?

US Election - which VP candidate has impressed us? How close does the race look?

dodo bird de-extinction - fund it or leave it?

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Erin O'Hara talks to Francesca Rudkin about the myths, complications and realities about metabolism, and lists the different ways people can boost theirs. 

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Dr Michelle Dickinson discusses the science, complications, and potential new-ground with using stem cells to combat diabetes.

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Steve Newall joins Francesca Rudkin to talk about the Show Me Shorts film festival, and the APRA Silver Scrolls awards

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Rugby player Honey Hireme-Smiler talks to Francesca Rudkin about her new book, and the life-experiences she details within. She reflects on growing up quite mischievous yet humble, and having a great cast of friends and family with her.

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Nic Lawrence speaks to francesca about attempts to revive an extinct bird, and why Sir Peter Jackson is funding the cause

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