https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/rss NZME THE SUNDAY SESSION WITH FRANCESCA RUDKIN9am-Noon Sink into your Sunday with the best session around. This is the show that delivers a little bit of everyth Sun, 08 Mar 2026 11:12:30 Z en https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/charlotte-glennie-kiwi-journalist-looks-back-on-her-career-in-new-memoir/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/charlotte-glennie-kiwi-journalist-looks-back-on-her-career-in-new-memoir/ Award-winning journalist Charlotte Glennie's built up a memorable career over the years. As a foreign correspondent, she reported from North Korea, Mongolia, and Russia, she covered monsoon rains in a Bangladesh refugee camp and she witnessed the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami that killed more than 200,000 people. But before all that, Glennie was in a life-changing accident while in Croatia and lost her footing and fell off a cliff onto rocks below, suffering life-threatening injuries. She's written about all her experiences in a new memoir - Every Second Counts. "There were two things I wanted to do, and for me, they were the pinnacle of a journalism career. One was to be a foreign correspondent and one was to be a political correspondent. And the political one came along very early on...and another theme of the book is just taking opportunities when they come along." LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 08 Mar 2026 00:10:08 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/pene-pati-sol3-mio-opera-signer-on-the-new-documentary-tenor-my-name-is-pati/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/pene-pati-sol3-mio-opera-signer-on-the-new-documentary-tenor-my-name-is-pati/ Brothers Pene Pati and Amitai Pati began their music careers in South Auckland church halls, but now they've grown their international careers. A new documentary Tenor: My Name Is Pati explored the duo's journey to the opera stages as Sol3 Mio stars - and how they got to train and work overseas. Pene Pati says he was scared on the journey, but knew he would find his way.  "I often think about this - it's a bit of both. I was scared, I was fearful...but at the same time, I was confident that I could do it."  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 07 Mar 2026 23:52:13 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/whitcoulls-recommends-saoirse-and-a-far-flung-life/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/whitcoulls-recommends-saoirse-and-a-far-flung-life/ Saoirse by Charleen Hurtubuse. Saoirse is a successful artist living in Ireland with a lovely family and skeletons in the closet that she hopes will stay hidden forever. When she becomes the focus of attention after winning a major art award, her carefully constructed life comes under attack as her deception becomes known, and the public gaze sees only the extent of her lies and not the desperate need that drove them. A Far-Flung Life by M.L.Stedman. The MacBride family operate a one million acre sheep station in Western Australia, where one day an accident on the property changes their lives forever and the resulting trauma leads to a terrible secret which could rip them all apart. Set against the vast landscape of WA, amidst extreme isolation, all they have is one another and a fierce determination to protect their way of life. This book is wonderful.  LISTEN ABOVE    Sat, 07 Mar 2026 23:35:06 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/megan-singleton-bloggeratlargecom-writer-on-the-benefits-of-splitwise/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/megan-singleton-bloggeratlargecom-writer-on-the-benefits-of-splitwise/ Travelling can get expensive, but Megan Singleton's unveiled a solution to keep track of costs. The Splitwise app can add up expenses and reveal a total of who owes what to whom when you're travelling in a group. Megan explained further - read more of her travel tips here. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 07 Mar 2026 23:30:44 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/the-sunday-panel-where-is-the-leadership-in-this-country/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/the-sunday-panel-where-is-the-leadership-in-this-country/ This week on The Sunday Panel, host of the Prosperity Project, Nadine Higgins, and Coast day host Lorna Riley joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Luxon’s leadership has been questioned this week, but looking across the board - where is the leadership?  Are we stuck with our current political leaders because there is no one else to step up? Where is the next generation of leaders? United Airlines has revealed it plans to permanently ban flyers who don't use headphones on the plane. What do we make of this? LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 07 Mar 2026 23:17:55 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/full-show-podcast-08-march-2026/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/full-show-podcast-08-march-2026/ On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 8 March 2026, Sol3 Mio star Pene Pati has gone from singing in South Auckland rest homes to the grandest opera stages around the world. He talks about his journey and just how demanding the opera world is. Former foreign correspondent Charlotte Glennie suffered critical injuries in a fall in 2001, she joins Francesca to talk about it's life changing impact and her the events from her career that stay with her. Political commentators debate whether Luxon can right the ship, particularly with the war in the Middle East threatening any economic recovery. While Francesca looks at the hype around the poll on Friday and wonders whether we might have got a bit carried away? And Megan Singleton has the ultimate travel tip for splitting the costs of a group trip. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 07 Mar 2026 23:12:45 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/erin-ohara-naturopath-and-wellness-expert-explains-the-benefits-of-choline/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/erin-ohara-naturopath-and-wellness-expert-explains-the-benefits-of-choline/ Choline is an essential nutrient that is required for optimal health, and it plays a key role in healthy brain function, heart health, and liver function. Research indicates that over 90 percent of New Zealanders and Australians fail to meet the recommended daily intake for choline.  Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explained the benefits of choline, and how we can add more of it to our diets.  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 07 Mar 2026 23:07:08 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mike-van-de-elzen-flounder-with-burnt-butter-capers-and-parsley/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mike-van-de-elzen-flounder-with-burnt-butter-capers-and-parsley/ Flounder with burnt butter, capers and parsley Cook time: 10 minutes Prep time: 10 minutes Serves: 6 12 flounder fillets   1 cup seasoned plain flour with salt and white pepper   4 tbsp sunflower oil   100 gm unsalted butter, cut into small cubes   2 lemons   4 tbsp capers   1/2 cup Italian parsley, chopped roughly Flaky salt and cracked pepper 1 dried chilli, crushed Heat two cast-iron pans over a low heat, before adding in the sunflower oil.   Run the flounder fillets through the seasoned flour. Carefully place into the heated pan and cook until lightly coloured on one side before turning.   Once you have flipped the fish, divide the butter into each pan and continue to cook, spooning the butter over the fish. This is a very fast process as you don't want to over cook the thin fillet.   Once cooked, carefully remove the fish onto a preheated platter.   Return the pan back to the heat and turn the heat up until the butter is becomes a rich golden brown. Add in the capers, parsley and chilli. Turn the pan off before squeezing the juice of the lemon to stop the butter from over cooking. Season with salt and a crack of pepper.   Spoon the butter over the top of the fillets.  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 07 Mar 2026 23:00:24 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-michelle-dickinson-nanotechnologist-on-why-some-people-are-more-drawn-to-conspiracy-theories-than-others/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-michelle-dickinson-nanotechnologist-on-why-some-people-are-more-drawn-to-conspiracy-theories-than-others/ Have you ever wondered why some people seem particularly drawn to conspiracy theories, even when the evidence doesn’t support them?  New research suggests the answer may have less to do with intelligence or critical thinking, and more to do with how people naturally process information. A study published in the journal Cognitive Processing found that people who strongly prefer order, patterns, and structured explanations may be more likely to find conspiracy theories appealing.  What’s interesting is that this can happen even when those people are perfectly capable of scientific reasoning. The appeal of a simple explanation  The world is complicated, events are messy, unpredictable, and often confusing.  Conspiracy theories offer something very tempting: a tidy explanation for chaos.  They connect dots, assign motives, and turn uncertainty into a clear story.  For people who naturally look for structure and patterns, that kind of explanation can feel satisfying.  Researchers describe this thinking style as “systemising.”  Systemising is the tendency to interpret the world by identifying patterns and rules that explain how things work. People who score highly on systemising often enjoy solving puzzles, analysing systems, or finding logical frameworks that make sense of complex information.  In the study, researchers looked at more than 550 participants and identified different thinking styles.  They found that people with strong systemising tendencies were more likely to believe conspiracy theories, even if they demonstrated strong reasoning skills.  The reason? Conspiracy theories often present events in a way that appears highly structured and internally consistent.  Loose ends get tied together. Coincidences become evidence. Complex events get reduced to a clear narrative.  The problem is that once someone adopts a structured explanation, it can be difficult to let go of it.  Why beliefs can stick,  even when new evidence appears  Participants who strongly preferred structured explanations were less likely to change their views when presented with new evidence.  This doesn’t necessarily mean someone is irrational. Instead, it reflects how their brain prefers to organise information.  The desire for a coherent system can sometimes override the willingness to question the system itself.  Why this matters  Conspiracy theories aren’t just harmless speculation.  They can erode trust in institutions, influence public health decisions, increase anxiety, damage relationships, and spread misinformation.  Understanding why people believe them is therefore important.  The research suggests that simply presenting facts may not always be enough to change someone’s mind. If conspiracy beliefs satisfy deeper psychological needs, like the desire for order and predictability, then addressing misinformation may require more than just correcting the record.  It may also require recognising how different people make sense of the world.  A reminder about human thinking  Perhaps the most important takeaway from this research is that belief in conspiracy theories isn’t always about poor reasoning.  Sometimes it’s about the human desire to make sense of uncertainty.  Our brains are pattern-finding machines, most of the time that ability helps us navigate the world.  Understanding that tendency may be one of the most powerful tools we have for recognising misinformation, both in others, and in ourselves.  Sat, 07 Mar 2026 22:47:40 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/steve-newall-entertainment-correspondent-on-harry-styles-one-night-in-manchester-special-coming-to-netflix/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/steve-newall-entertainment-correspondent-on-harry-styles-one-night-in-manchester-special-coming-to-netflix/ It's been a big week for Harry Styles fans, with his fourth studio album Kiss All The Time. Disco Occasionally being released on Friday. As part of the album launch, Harry's sold-out show in Manchester's Co-op Arena has been recorded and will be available on Netflix for fans all over the world. Entertainment correspondent Steve Newall explains further. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 07 Mar 2026 22:35:12 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/gregg-carlstrom-middle-east-correspondent-on-the-escalating-conflict-in-the-middle-east/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/gregg-carlstrom-middle-east-correspondent-on-the-escalating-conflict-in-the-middle-east/ War in the Middle East is also becoming a war of words - as the conflict enters its second week. Meanwhile, there's been reports Iran's new Supreme Leader could be chosen within 24 hours. The Economist's Middle East Correspondent, Gregg Carlstrom, says the narrative of this war is constantly changing - especially from US President Donald Trump. "A week ago, he was saying he wanted to give Iran back to the people of Iran, he wanted to free the people of Iran. Now he's talking about having a hand in picking the new Supreme Leader of Iran, which sounds rather contradictory."  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 07 Mar 2026 22:24:46 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/azaria-howell-newstalk-zb-political-reporter-on-the-defence-force-planes-bound-for-the-middle-east/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/azaria-howell-newstalk-zb-political-reporter-on-the-defence-force-planes-bound-for-the-middle-east/ Defence Minister Judith Collins says two Air Force planes will be heading to an undisclosed location in the Middle East to help any Kiwis who are stranded. The White House says the war could last four to six weeks - with Israel unleashing a new wave of strikes on Iran. A C-130J Hercules aircraft left Auckland's Whenuapai - and another was sent earlier to the Middle East, after being in Asia. Newstalk ZB political reporter Azaria Howell says Collins confirmed the plan is to get people out of immediate danger so they can get on a flight home to New Zealand. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 07 Mar 2026 22:08:23 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/neale-jones-and-jordan-williams-former-labour-chief-of-staff-and-taxpayers-union-executive-director-on-how-luxon-can-recover-from-this-week/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/neale-jones-and-jordan-williams-former-labour-chief-of-staff-and-taxpayers-union-executive-director-on-how-luxon-can-recover-from-this-week/ There's suspicions speculation around Chris Luxon's future won't be subsiding, even after he firmly ruled out stepping aside.  This week's Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll has National down to 28.4 percent, with Labour able to govern alongside the Greens and Te Pati Maori.  The Prime Minister's assured the public he had his MP's backing and won't be going anywhere. Taxpayers' Union Executive Director Jordan Williams says this week's been a challenging one from Chris Luxon. "The real significant event this week in terms of the election is the unexpected economic headwinds we now appear to be in - the events in the Middle East are not going to be over in a week or even a month now, it's looking to be quite a lot longer, and the implications on the New Zealand economy is certainly a challenge." Former Labour Chief of Staff Neale Jones says the speculation over Chris Luxon's political future is 'fatal' - regardless of whether or not it's true. "The problem he's got is that it's never a good thing when you have to ring up and say - I'm not resigning. I think that spoke to the crisis he was in this week." LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 07 Mar 2026 21:55:30 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-should-chris-luxon-be-worried-about-his-future/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-should-chris-luxon-be-worried-about-his-future/ Well, it was an interesting end of the week when it comes to domestic politics.   With rumours swelling on Friday that the Prime Minister was considering his future over the weekend, he had to act quickly. There was absolutely no way he could go into the weekend with even the hint of speculation he was considering his future.   When a sitting Prime Minister signals they are “considering their future”, it is almost always politically damaging. In parliamentary systems like ours, leadership authority depends heavily on perceived confidence and control. Once a leader questions themselves publicly it rapidly weakens their position with the party and the electorate.   Honesty and transparency in this case doesn’t buy sympathy, it is more likely to create a trigger moment that encourages internal challengers. Be anything but unequivocal on Friday and the Prime Minister may as well have poured himself a Coke No Sugar and started planning a nice winter getaway.  The sudden announcement he would appear on Heather de Plessis-Allan Drive just after 5pm on Friday evening was unusual enough to raise an eyebrow. But he was turning up to do exactly what needed to be done to remain credible - to get ahead of the story. He explained to Heather why he decided to appear - to set the story straight.   After some easily clipped soundbites from his party deputy Nicola Willis, who told ZB’s Wellington Morning host Nick Willis that it hadn’t been a “great week for the Prime Minister”, Christopher Luxon made it very clear that he has the full support of his team and caucus. Since then, everyone has been very well behaved.   Over the last few days, I’ve been reflecting on what a tough gig it is. There’s quite a lot of luck and timing involved in being a successful Prime Minister. A successful career in politics isn’t just about talent and ability, or the possession of that rare relatable charisma - it also comes down to what the country and the world throws at you. And - let’s not forget - what the previous Government left you.   Look around the world and most leaders are dealing with the same issues we have - a slow economic recovery, the high cost of living, housing, a weird international trade environment, and much more.   We haven’t seen much alternative policy from opposition parties to show us there are other, more likely to be successful, scenarios under alternative leadership that we’re currently missing out on.  The reality is that the recovery was going to be difficult for whoever was in charge. But it’s especially difficult for a leader who takes on a cheerleading role with the vigour Luxon does. There’s a disconnect between the aspirational words and the reality of a Government that’s cutting rather than growing as much as we’d like, and when signs the economy is finally turning the corner are likely to squashed by conflict in the Middle East.   The only thing keeping Luxon in play is his ability to control his troops, the party’s desire to avoid the instability that comes with changing leadership, and the lack of an obvious replacement who could win an election.   But history tells us that if the polls continue to trend downwards for the Nats, the Prime Minister may be organising that mid-winter break before you know it.   LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 07 Mar 2026 21:30:23 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/amanda-knox-and-christopher-robinson-wrongly-convicted-murder-suspect-and-her-husband-talk-new-documentary/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/amanda-knox-and-christopher-robinson-wrongly-convicted-murder-suspect-and-her-husband-talk-new-documentary/ Amanda Knox was arrested for the murder of her flatmate, wrongly convicted, and spent four years in an Italian prison, and she's looking back on her journey in a new documentary. Mouth of the Wolf follows Amanda’s first trip back to Italy in years to face the people and places that shaped her story.  Amanda Knox and her husband, Christopher Robinson, worked on the project together and the pair described the risky journey back to Italy. "It was not beyond belief for us that if Amanda returned to Italy to speak the truth, that she could be putting herself in potential jeopardy for being charged with another crime. So that fear was real." LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 01 Mar 2026 01:19:00 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/professor-brian-cox-physicist-on-his-emergence-world-tour/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/professor-brian-cox-physicist-on-his-emergence-world-tour/ Physicist professor Brian Cox is a bit of a rockstar in the science world. When he’s not hosting his BBC shows, Brian is touring the world making science engaging and accessible.  He performed his last show to over half a million people globally - and now he’s back and apparently bigger than ever, with his 'Emergence' show set to kick off in June. "The show really tells the story - it starts with 1600, goes to now, which is only 400 years later, we know a tremendous amount about the universe and how it operates and how old it is, and so on."  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 01 Mar 2026 01:04:23 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/whitcoulls-recommends-kin-and-surviving-white-island/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/whitcoulls-recommends-kin-and-surviving-white-island/ Kin by Tayari Jones - who was the author of a wonderful book called An American Marriage a few years ago, which I loved. In this new one, Vernice and Annie are both motherless, close as sisters, growing up in small town Louisiana during the Jim Crow years. Their lives take them in different directions - Vernice to Atlanta and college, whilst Annie heads to Memphis in constant search of the mother who abandoned her. It’s stunningly written, about two Black women navigating the prejudice, misogyny and cruelty of that era and whose bond with each other stands the test of time and distance. Surviving White Island by Kelsey Waghorn. Kelsey was a tour guide on Whakaari White Island and was caught up in the devastating eruption there in 2019, which changed her life forever. This is her account of what happened - the aftermath, injuries, recovery and sheer grit required to get through each day, in a memoir which is both brave and inspirational from a young woman whose future changed in an unimaginable instant.  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 01 Mar 2026 00:43:30 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/megan-singleton-bloggeratlargecom-writer-on-her-staycation-in-cambridge-s-new-hotel/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/megan-singleton-bloggeratlargecom-writer-on-her-staycation-in-cambridge-s-new-hotel/ Megan Singleton recently took a staycation an hour and a half out of Auckland to check out the new Clements Hotel. The hotel is housed in the oldest commercial building in Cambridge and used to be the infamous old Masonic Hotel. Megan unpacked the new changes - check out the full review here. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 01 Mar 2026 00:23:00 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/the-sunday-panel-having-camping-costs-gotten-out-of-hand/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/the-sunday-panel-having-camping-costs-gotten-out-of-hand/ This week on the Sunday Panel, director at 818 Chris Henry and resident economist at Opes Partners Ed McKnight joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! What do we make of IAWAI’s proposal to charge new builds a growth charge for water infrastructure maintenance and upgrades? Is that a fairer option than all ratepayers covering the cost? Or should it be spread more evenly? Are camping costs getting out of hand? Some places are charging $360 a night for a patch of grass. Is this what camping is about? Is this taking the spirit out of Kiwi camping?  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 01 Mar 2026 00:12:06 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/erin-ohara-naturopath-and-wellness-expert-on-whether-matcha-is-healthier-than-coffee/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/erin-ohara-naturopath-and-wellness-expert-on-whether-matcha-is-healthier-than-coffee/ Both matcha and coffee will give you a noticable energy boost in the morning, but which drink is really better for you Matcha is generally considered healthier than coffee due to its high concentration of antioxidants - and it give you a 'calmer' boost without the crash afterwards. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara compared the drinks to examine the health benefits of both. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 28 Feb 2026 23:47:44 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mike-van-de-elzen-chicken-parmesan-and-lemon-pie/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mike-van-de-elzen-chicken-parmesan-and-lemon-pie/ Cook time: 40 minutes  Prep time: 60 minutes  Serves: 6-8 1 size 14 chicken  2 litres cold water 200 gm un-iodized salt 2 tbsp unsalted butter 2 tbsp flour 1 onion, peeled and sliced 4 cloves garlic, crushed 500 ml chicken stock   1 tbsp dijion mustard 1 lemon, zested 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan 2 sheets puff pastry 1 egg Whisk the salt into the water until dissolved. Submerge the chicken into the brine and place into the fridge over night or 12 hours.  Remove the chicken from the brine and place into a pot and cover with cold fresh water. Place on medium heat and slowly bring up to the to the boil, Simmer until cooked or until the chicken reaches a internal temperature of 75*c. Once the chicken is cooked, turn off the heat and allow to cool in the liquid,. Once cool enough to handle remove the chicken and shred down the meat, discarding the bones and skin.   Place the sliced onions and garlic into a pot and melt the butter, slowly saute the onions and garlic until soft. Add in the flour and cook for a further minute. Slowly start to add the chicken stock, stirring in between each to remove any lumps. Once all the stock has been added bring up to the boil and season with salt. Turn off the heat and add in the chicken and mustard. Spray a family size pie dish with cooking spray and lay a sheet of pastry in the bottom, cutting around the edge. Spoon in chicken mix. Topped with parmesan and lemon zest. Whisk egg and brush onto the edge of pastry  Lay the second sheet of pastry on top. With your fingers, press the two sheets of pastry together around the edges. Prick the top sheet with a fork and brush with eggwash.   Bake pie in oven on 180*c for 40 minutes. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 28 Feb 2026 23:39:32 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-michelle-dickinson-nanotechnologist-on-what-science-says-about-finding-the-one/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-michelle-dickinson-nanotechnologist-on-what-science-says-about-finding-the-one/ We’ve all grown up on the same story, from Romeo and Juliet to Titanic, from ancient myths to modern rom-coms, the message is pretty consistent: somewhere out there is The One. One epic love. One soulmate. One lightning bolt that strikes once in a lifetime.  But new research published in the journal Interpersona suggests something a little less cinematic. A large study from researchers at Indiana University’s Kinsey Institute asked more than 10,000 single adults in the U.S. one simple question: “In your lifetime, how many times have you been passionately in love?” The average answer wasn’t one, it was just over two. In fact, two was the most common response. Almost one in three people said they’d experienced passionate love twice. That was about twice as many as those who said they’d only felt it once, or never at all. A smaller group reported three or four times and some people said zero. The idea that passionate love is a once-in-a-lifetime event? The data doesn’t really support that. One of the interesting things about this study is how similar the answers were across different groups. Straight, gay, lesbian, and bisexual participants all reported roughly the same number of passionate love experiences. Older respondents reported only slightly more than younger ones. In other words, the “two loves” pattern held up across age and orientation. That’s kind of reassuring. It suggests that passionate love isn’t rare, and it isn’t reserved for a select few. Most people experience it at least once  and often more than once  across their lives. So if you’ve fallen deeply, passionately in love more than once, you’re not unusual. For many people, love isn’t a single lightning strike, it's something that can happen again. For centuries, our stories have told us to look for The One, science, gently and without drama, is suggesting that for most of us, it might be The Two.  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 28 Feb 2026 23:27:49 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/steve-newall-flicksconz-editor-on-charli-xcx-examining-her-career-in-satirical-project/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/steve-newall-flicksconz-editor-on-charli-xcx-examining-her-career-in-satirical-project/ It's been nearly 2 years since Charli XCX's Brat album launched - inspiring memes, a successful tour and festival run and more. The album put Charli XCX on the map as a main pop presence, but her newest project looks into the process of winning over the zeitgeist. The Moment premiered at Sundance and is set to arrive in New Zealand theatres later this week, and Steve Newall revealed whether it's worth a look. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 28 Feb 2026 23:17:24 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/full-show-podcast-01-march-2026/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/full-show-podcast-01-march-2026/ On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for 1 March 2026, rockstar physicist Professor Brian Cox is bringing his latest show to New Zealand, he joins Francesca to talk about breaking world records, misinformation and returning to his love of music. Wrongly convicted Amanda Knox and her husband Christopher Robinson have released a documentary about Amanda's return to Italy.  The pair join Francesca to talk about what it was like for Amanda to face her demons. Major developments in the Middle East overnight, The Economist Middle East Correspondent, Gregg Carlstrom has the latest and what it all means. Francesca talks about the fallout of the move on laws and questions if they will achieve anything. And do you believe in soul mates or "the one"?  New research suggests it might be more like "the two".  Dr Michelle Dickinson with the latest research on love. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 28 Feb 2026 23:12:42 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/ernie-newman-grocery-policy-expert-on-tesco-stepping-away-from-finance-ministers-offer/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/ernie-newman-grocery-policy-expert-on-tesco-stepping-away-from-finance-ministers-offer/ It's been revealed UK supermarket giant Tesco declined the Finance Minister's invitation for a meeting to discuss the issues in our grocery sector. Nicola Willis announced a request for information last year, aiming to explore what barriers prevented a new competitor from breaking up Woolworths and Foodstuffs duopoly. The supermarket opted not to participate in the process, alongside two other supermarket giants, Aldi and Lidl. Grocery policy expert Ernie Newman says this news is disappointing, but not all that surprising. "I think any international firm would need rocks in its head to come into New Zealand at the present time - the Commerce Commission and some of the experts in the field reckon they would need 120 to 150 new stores almost from day one...that's the wrong way to go." LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 28 Feb 2026 22:58:59 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/peter-dunne-former-minister-and-commentator-on-the-government-issuing-a-statement-on-the-tension-in-the-middle-east/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/peter-dunne-former-minister-and-commentator-on-the-government-issuing-a-statement-on-the-tension-in-the-middle-east/ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have issued a joint statement on the escalating tension in the Middle East. The US and Israel launched a massive assault on Iran overnight with reports of more than 500 targets hit. It's reported more than 200 people have been killed in the strikes across Iran and there's also claims the country's Supreme Leader is now dead. Former Minister and commentator Peter Dunne says this is a rapidly changing situation, and it's important for this to be handled carefully. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 28 Feb 2026 22:27:07 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/peter-winder-iawai-ceo-suggests-growth-charge-for-new-builds-to-cover-infrastructure-costs/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/peter-winder-iawai-ceo-suggests-growth-charge-for-new-builds-to-cover-infrastructure-costs/ A suggestion new builds in Waikato should foot the bill for new water infrastructure, to protect existing households from rising costs. The new water services company IAWAI is proposing water supply and wastewater growth charges of $500 per year for 25 years on all new residential builds. Over ten years, the charges would generate $46.3 million dollars. Chief executive Peter Winder says it's important to ensure growth is funded - but existing customers aren't hit with extra charges.  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 28 Feb 2026 22:18:59 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/gregg-carlstrom-middle-east-correspondent-for-the-economist-on-the-us-israeli-attack-on-iran/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/gregg-carlstrom-middle-east-correspondent-for-the-economist-on-the-us-israeli-attack-on-iran/ Israeli officials have claimed Iran's Supreme Leader has been killed, following the US and Israel's major military operation on the country.  The Iranian Red Cross says more than 200 people have been killed in strikes, including 85 people at a girls' school. Iran has hit back in retaliation, launching missiles across the Middle East, including in Dubai, Doha, Bahrain and Kuwait - all of which either have US military bases, or are allied to the US. Middle East correspondent for the Economist, Greg Carlstrom, says it's unclear how a regime change will change the Iranian Government dramatically. "The Iranian opposition, the political opposition is deeply divided, it's disorganised, there isn't someone who is an obvious leader, an obvious candidate to try and assume control of the country." LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 28 Feb 2026 21:44:09 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-the-move-on-laws-wont-be-welcome-news-for-everybody/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-the-move-on-laws-wont-be-welcome-news-for-everybody/ The Government’s this week announced it will give police the power to issue move-on orders in town centres across the country to people who are displaying disorderly, disruptive, threatening or intimidating behaviour.  It has caused quite a stir. No doubt it was welcome news to many people who live and work in the city centres where this behaviour has become an issue.  The new laws give police the power to require a person to leave an area for a specified time - up to 24 hours - and it will be up to the police officer to determine the distance, and whether any support is required for the person being moved-on. In theory - these new powers will make city centres safer and more welcoming, respond to the business community’s concern that rough sleepers harm economic activity, and will help connect homeless people to support services. But we all know that the issue of homelessness is complicated and nuanced, and that temporarily removing the problem from sight does nothing to fix the problem. The Police Association said it would be a drain on resources. Retail NZ welcomes new tools for police but doubts their long term usefulness. The Auckland City Mission is looking into how it can become a legal refuge so people in need can still access their facilities.  In short, no one seems convinced by this plan. The police do need to have the power to deal with serious cases of disorder, and to prevent harm, but they alone are not responsible for solving this issue.  For a start, I doubt they have the time. Then there is the Government’s phasing out of police attendance at mental health incidents to reconcile, when we know people experiencing homelessness often face significant mental health challenges. There are other issues that are sign-posted by the name - ‘moving on’. The ‘problem’ can come back the next day, or it simply shifts the problem somewhere else. Enforcing move-on orders doesn’t create housing or ensure social services support - it will more likely just displace people to parks, suburbs or less visible areas, without addressing the underlying issues. Homeless people often sleep near town centers because that’s where food banks, health services, probation services and community support providers are located. Moving them out of these areas could make it harder for outreach workers and social services to find and help them, reducing their access to essential support. And on top of all this, to enforce it all - we’re threatening to fine or imprison some of our most vulnerable people. Imprisonment doesn’t solve homelessness, and a criminal record can make it even harder for a person to secure work or housing in the future.   Police Minister Mark Mitchell acknowledged that every situation will be different, and police had the expertise to assess and determine what support would be required. This is where the police and the New Zealand public may  have different ideas as to what to expect from these new powers. Homeless-free central cities across New Zealand? Not likely.  The Government’s move-on law may provide businesses and the wider public with short-term relief from visible homelessness and anti-social behaviour. But without meaningful investment in housing and support services, it risks criminalising vulnerable people, fracturing service access and merely 'sweeping the problem under the rug'. True solutions require addressing the structural causes of homelessness, building trust with affected communities, and creating inclusive pathways out of homelessness - not just expelling people from sight.  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 28 Feb 2026 21:33:57 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/baz-luhrmann-film-director-on-his-new-project-epic-elvis-presley-in-concert/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/baz-luhrmann-film-director-on-his-new-project-epic-elvis-presley-in-concert/ Acclaimed Australian director Baz Luhrmann is the man behind films like The Great Gatsby, Moulin Rouge, Romeo and Juliet - and he's spent time exploring Elvis Presley's work. Luhrmann directed the 2022 Elvis biopic, and it was during that production process that he discovered hours and hours of unseen Elvis concert footage down a Warner Brothers salt mine.  He used the footage to craft  EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert. "There's not a frame of AI in this movie and there's no visual effects - I'd like to say the only visual effect is the effect Elvis has on the audience." LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 22 Feb 2026 00:51:23 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/whitcoulls-recommends-the-antihero-and-strangers/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/whitcoulls-recommends-the-antihero-and-strangers/ The Antihero by Gregg Hurwitz. This is the latest in the series of thrillers about Evan Smoak, otherwise known as Orphan X - who was trained by the Government from childhood in the art of black ops but has since left the scheme and now uses his skills and talents to do good. He goes by the name of The Nowhere Man and when people in distress call on him he goes to their aid, his only stipulation being that they must pass on his contact number to someone else who needs his help - and in this latest outing, his help is indeed very badly needed. These books are great fun - a combination of Evan’s superhuman fighting skills, luxury tastes, digital whizz sidekick, and a willing suspension of disbelief.  Strangers by Belle Burden. Belle Burden is American royalty - she’s a descendant of Cornelius Vanderbilt and her grandmother was the legendary Babe Paley. She thought she was happily married to a hedge fund guy and when Covid hit New York City the family relocated to their country estate where he promised to look after them during the pandemic - then one week in she received a phone message from someone to say that her husband was having an affair with this man’s wife and her world fell apart. Her husband walked out, saying he didn’t want anything to do with her or their kids and largely stuck to his words. This is a meditation on betrayal, on being blindsided by the loss of her marriage, and on how badly some super rich men will behave given half a chance. Clearly money wasn’t an issue for the author either, but to have the rug pulled out from under her during such uncertain times and then to write about it with such grace and clarity makes for a very good read.  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 22 Feb 2026 00:32:35 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/megan-singleton-bloggeratlargecom-writer-on-sagrada-familia-being-completed-after-144-years/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/megan-singleton-bloggeratlargecom-writer-on-sagrada-familia-being-completed-after-144-years/ The final piece of Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia has been laid in place. This brings the church to its maximum final height 144 years after work began. BloggerAtLarge.com writer Megan Singleton explained the significance of this development. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 22 Feb 2026 00:19:12 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/kelsey-waghorn-white-island-survivor-talks-new-book-about-the-experience/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/kelsey-waghorn-white-island-survivor-talks-new-book-about-the-experience/ As Whakaari/White Island exploded around tour guide Kelsey Waghorn, she was convinced this was the end of her life. Waghorn is among the 25 people who were seriously injured but survived the December 9 eruption in 2019 - while 22 were killed in the eruption. She shared a full account of her story in her new book, Surviving White Island. "You look at the video of the eruption - and it's the first time I got shown the video of the eruption, in hospital...and it was just all hectic."  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 22 Feb 2026 00:00:18 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/the-sunday-panel-what-does-andrews-arrest-mean-for-the-royals/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/the-sunday-panel-what-does-andrews-arrest-mean-for-the-royals/ This week on The Sunday Panel, journalist and editor, Jo McCarroll, and host of The Front Page podcast, Chelsea Daniels joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was recently arrested after being accused of sharing confidential information with the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein while he was trade envoy for the United Kingdom. What does this mean for the royals? Do we need to oust Charles as our head of state? After the Government backtracked on their housing intensification plan, Heather du Plessis-Allan wrote a piece in the Herald defending the concerns from Auckland residents over housing. Do we think this is justified? LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 21 Feb 2026 23:40:27 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/full-show-podcast-22-february-2026/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/full-show-podcast-22-february-2026/ On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 22 February 2026, acclaimed film director Baz Luhrmann is returning to the world of Elvis with a stunning new concert documentary. Baz talks about finding hours of unseen footage in old Warner Brothers salt mines and the arduous job of bringing the King back to life no the big screen. When Whakaari-White Island erupted in December 2019, tour guide Kelsey Waghorn thought she was going to die.  She joins Francesca to talk about how she survived and her lengthy recovery from her burns. Former US Under Secretary of Commerce and Security talks about Donald Trump's reaction to his tariffs being ruled illegal, while Francesca calls for the US to take the UK's lead in investigating those involved with Epstein, so his victims can finally have justice. And after 144 years of construction, Sagrada Familia has hit a major milestone. Travel blogger Megan Singleton shares an update and some travel tips for anyone off to see Barcelona's famous church. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 21 Feb 2026 23:12:44 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mike-van-de-elzen-spiced-passata-sauce/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mike-van-de-elzen-spiced-passata-sauce/ Spiced passata sauce  Cook time: 30 minutes  Prep time: 5 minutes  Serves: 4-6 12-15 ripe tomatoes  2 sticks rosemary  10 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed slightly  1 tbsp flaky salt  2 tbsp sunflower oil   1 fresh chili, stalk removed and cut in half 1 tbsp honey Start by turn on your oven to 220*c Cut the tomatoes in half and lay onto a roasting tray, sprinkle over some flaky salt, smashed garlic, chili and rosemary.   Drizzle with a little oil and fire into the oven to roast. Roast at for 30 minutes or until the tomatoes just start to collapse and colour.   Remove and allow to cool, using a potato masher or stick blender to puree the tomatoes into a sauce. Now pass the sauce through a sieve to remove all the seeds and any skins.   Place the sauce back into a pot and bring up to a simmer, skimming off any fat raising to the surface.   Add honey and check the seasoning - and it's ready to bottle.  Sat, 21 Feb 2026 22:55:21 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-michelle-dickinson-nanotechnologist-on-what-a-recent-bonobo-study-reveals-about-imagination/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-michelle-dickinson-nanotechnologist-on-what-a-recent-bonobo-study-reveals-about-imagination/ A bonobo named Kanzi was sitting at a table across from a researcher. On the table are two completely empty clear cups and an empty clear jug. The researcher pretends to pour juice into both cups. Then she pretends to dump the juice out of one of them, turning it upside down and shaking it as if to show it’s empty.  Then she asks Kanzi, “Where’s the juice?”  There is no juice, but most of the time, Kanzi points to the cup that is supposed to still contain the imaginary juice.  The study, published in Science, is the first controlled evidence that a nonhuman ape can represent something mentally that isn’t physically there, and keep track of it as events unfold.  In the study, three controlled experiments were used to test whether an ape could actually track a pretend object in a consistent, rule-based way.  In the first experiment, Kanzi watched the pretend pouring and pretend dumping, and then had to identify which cup still 'had' the invisible juice. Even when the researchers moved the cups around, he usually pointed to the correct one. That suggests he wasn’t just memorising a position, he was mentally tracking the imagined contents.  But maybe, you might think, he believed there was real juice hidden in there somehow. So the researchers ran a second experiment to rule that out. This time, one cup had real juice in it and the other had pretend juice. When asked what he wanted to drink, Kanzi overwhelmingly chose the real juice, so he clearly understood the difference between imagination and reality.  In a third test, they switched from juice to grapes. The researcher pretended to take a grape from an empty container and place it into one of two jars, then pretended to empty one jar. When asked, 'Where’s the grape?' Kanzi again pointed to the jar that was supposed to still contain the imaginary grape.  This matters because imagination has long been considered one of the defining features of being human. Human children typically start pretend play around age two, and even younger babies show signs they understand make-believe scenarios. But until now, scientists hadn’t demonstrated this ability under controlled conditions in other animals.  Humans and bonobos share a common ancestor from around six to nine million years ago. If the roots of imagination stretch back that far, then this capacity didn’t suddenly appear with us. It may be part of a much older cognitive toolkit.  If apes can think about things that aren’t present, if they can hold an imagined object in mind and update that representation as events change, then their experience of the world may be far richer than we’ve assumed.  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 21 Feb 2026 22:46:24 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/steve-newall-flicksconz-editor-on-william-shatner-announcing-plans-to-release-a-metal-album/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/steve-newall-flicksconz-editor-on-william-shatner-announcing-plans-to-release-a-metal-album/ William Shatner is set to boldly go in a new musical direction with his latest project. The 94-year-old Star Trek actor confirmed he's got a heavy metal album in the works, featuring original songs and covers from Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest.  Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall explained the project further. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 21 Feb 2026 22:37:16 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/russell-myers-royal-editor-at-the-mirror-on-whether-the-royal-family-can-recover-from-andrew-mountbatten-windsors-arrest/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/russell-myers-royal-editor-at-the-mirror-on-whether-the-royal-family-can-recover-from-andrew-mountbatten-windsors-arrest/ Police are continuing to raid Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's former home - Royal Lodge. The former Prince was arrested and accused of sharing confidential information with the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein while he was trade envoy for the UK. The Government's considering removing him from line of succession to the throne. He is eighth in line. Royal Editor at the Mirror Russell Myers says some are questioning if the monarchy can survive this. "While that might be slightly premature at the moment, I think that certainly, we've reached such a point where I think we're really in a sort of crisis period for the monarchy."  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 21 Feb 2026 22:27:30 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/tama-potaka-conservation-minister-on-nationals-plan-to-restrict-commercial-fishing-in-protected-areas/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/tama-potaka-conservation-minister-on-nationals-plan-to-restrict-commercial-fishing-in-protected-areas/ The Conservation Minister says National wants more consistent policy for Auckland's Hauraki Gulf.   National says it will ban commercial fishing in all 12 high protection areas and 5 sea floor protection areas.  It will also review the rules which allow bottom trawling in some corridors.  Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says some activities would still be allowed under these changes. "We've discussed this matter with a lot of Aucklanders, a lot of New Zealanders - they're not very happy with that situation, and we've decided it's important to revert to the original intent." LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 21 Feb 2026 22:02:07 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/bill-reinsch-former-us-under-secretary-of-commerce-and-security-on-trump-imposing-a-15-percent-global-tariff-following-supreme-court-ruling/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/bill-reinsch-former-us-under-secretary-of-commerce-and-security-on-trump-imposing-a-15-percent-global-tariff-following-supreme-court-ruling/ US President Donald Trump is pushing ahead with another round of global tariffs, just a day after being told last year’s levies were illegal. In a post on social media, Trump confirmed he’ll lift the tariffs to 15 percent, higher than the 10 percent rate he announced yesterday. The move comes after a Supreme Court ruling found his sweeping trade measures from last year were unlawful. Former US Under Secretary of Commerce and Security Bill Reinsch says this will make it harder for Trump to threaten and bully other countries with even higher tariffs. "He won't be able to do that anymore, and I think that's why he's really unhappy. It's also a significant limitation on Presidential power, the real importance of this decision is historic."  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 21 Feb 2026 21:50:47 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-it-s-time-the-us-department-of-justice-followed-the-uks-example/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-it-s-time-the-us-department-of-justice-followed-the-uks-example/ Well, there is absolutely no question what the biggest story in the world was on Friday. Words used to describe the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, were 'historic', 'jaw dropping', and 'stunning'. It has been described as a huge moment in the history of the modern royal family.  But there were other royal commentators who weren’t surprised at all with how Andrew’s 66th birthday unfolded. They’d been watching the pressure build and felt Friday’s events were a long time coming.  If you have read Andrew Lownie’s biography of Andrew and his former wife Sarah Ferguson, called Entitled, you will be familiar with the controversies during his decade lone tenure as a tax payer funded civil servant. When I spoke to Lownie last year he felt there should be a parliamentary, and crime agency, enquiry into Andrew’s role as the Special Trade Envoy, and that it could lead to criminal charges. It was announced overnight that a cross party business and trade committee will meet on Tuesday to discuss exactly this.   In response to the unprecedented arrest of a royal family member, Buckingham Palace made it clear the royal family had not been given a heads up that Andrew was about to be arrested and investigated for suspicion of misconduct in public office. And yet, King Charles III quickly offered up an impressive and upfront statement, giving the impression Buckingham Palace were prepared for this day too.  Respectable working members of the family are already under pressure when out in public to answer questions about Andrew. With an arrest, investigation, and potential charges and a trial, this crisis could be in the public eye for years.  King Charles recognises this, and by putting duty ahead of his brother in his statement he continues the institution’s distancing from Andrew and his many messes.  In a crisis this big, the royal family’s philosophy of 'never complain, never explain' simply isn’t going to cut it and is coming to an end.  It is important to note that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor denies any wrong-doing, and that his arrest is not related to accusations of sexual assault or misconduct. What I find sad about all this is how hard it is for the many women raped and sexually assaulted as girls, by Jeffrey Epstein and allegedly some of his mates, to seek justice. Lawyers, academics, and ambassadors have lost their jobs, but the focus and interest has shifted to the exposure and workings of a rich and powerful global network, rather that the real victims in this story.  Never-the-less, the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is a timely reminder that in the UK - at least - no one is above the law.  Before they look morally bankrupt, it’s time the American Department of Justice acted likewise and got back to seeking justice for the real victims in this sordid episode.  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 21 Feb 2026 21:23:18 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/miriam-margolyes-actress-on-her-new-movie-holy-days/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/miriam-margolyes-actress-on-her-new-movie-holy-days/ Miriam Margolyes, Judy Davis and Jacki Weaver are teaming up to star in an unconventional road trip comedy set in 1970s New Zealand. Three elderly nuns set off on a mission in their car powered by God to track down a lost boy in search of heaven, and the film promises to be entertaining and heartfelt. Miriam Margolyes says she's delighted to be involved in this film and she's enjoying working with her 'awe-inspiring' co-stars. "I'm out of my depth, really, with them - I think they're just astonishing."  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 15 Feb 2026 00:40:29 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-lucy-hone-author-and-ted-speaker-on-how-to-navigate-tough-times/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-lucy-hone-author-and-ted-speaker-on-how-to-navigate-tough-times/ Dr Lucy Hone is well-regarded as a resilience expert and she's got plenty of personal and academic experience with devastating grief. Grief comes in many forms - not just with death, but divorce, estrangement, dementia, redundancy, and Hone's put her findings into a book. She says some people are more 'mentally agile' than others and that learning how to balance emotions is a key skill. "They're also typically good at being able to focus their attention on the things that they can change - and somehow accept the things that they can't. And I'm not going to pretend that that's easy or sugarcoat it, but all of my work is about helping people." LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 15 Feb 2026 00:18:13 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/whitcoulls-recommends-spies-and-other-gods-and-the-dead-speak/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/whitcoulls-recommends-spies-and-other-gods-and-the-dead-speak/ Spies and other Gods by James Wolff. This spy thriller is set apart from others by being narrated by a kind of collective voice of MI5 - it’s the spies watching the spies. Sir William Rentoul, head of the service, takes great umbrage when an anonymous whistle-blower lays a complaint and a smart young parliamentary researcher is brought in to investigate. MI5 are particularly adept at ensuring she makes no progress, but she becomes a part of something much, much bigger, and which also gets Sir William back into the field after years driving an MI5 desk, with predictable results. The Dead Speak by Thomas Coyle. The author learned the science and art of forensics with the Metropolitan police in the UK, before eventually moving to New Zealand, after which he became involved in victim identification after the Boxing Day tsunami, and the Christchurch earthquake in 2011. It’s a fascinating account about the training involved, and the painstaking processes which forensic investigators follow in the course of their critical work. It’s an easy read although as he says, not for the faint of heart, with a good dose of black humour.  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 14 Feb 2026 23:58:42 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/megan-singleton-bloggeratlargecom-writer-on-unveils-her-best-travel-hacks-for-2026/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/megan-singleton-bloggeratlargecom-writer-on-unveils-her-best-travel-hacks-for-2026/ With the new year getting underway, blogger and travel expert Megan Singleton revealed how to make the most out of your next big trip. She's revealed how to save money on international bank fees, how to prepare for airport security and what to do if your luggage gets damaged. Read more of her tips and tricks here. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 14 Feb 2026 23:51:34 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/the-sunday-panel-do-safety-measures-need-to-be-improved-for-sailgp/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/the-sunday-panel-do-safety-measures-need-to-be-improved-for-sailgp/ This week on the Sunday Panel, Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills and Director at Capital, Ben Thomas, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Does the Government need to move with urgency to get CAR T-cell therapy publicly available as soon as possible? Do we have faith they'll move quickly enough? Safety's been called into question after a collision at yesterday's SailGP event in Auckland landed two athletes in the hospital. Do changes need to be made? LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 14 Feb 2026 23:41:22 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/erin-ohara-naturopath-and-wellness-expert-on-the-best-predictors-of-daily-movement-and-exercise/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/erin-ohara-naturopath-and-wellness-expert-on-the-best-predictors-of-daily-movement-and-exercise/ New research has revealed the best predictors of daily movement and exercise, and it goes deeper than willpower. Researchers followed and analysed 70,000 people over 3.5 years to challenge some of the most  common assumptions about motivation and discipline. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explained the results. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 14 Feb 2026 23:27:58 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mike-van-de-elzen-lamb-in-a-bag/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mike-van-de-elzen-lamb-in-a-bag/ Lamb in a bag  Cook time: 45 minutes  Prep time: 10 minutes  Serves: 6 1 leg of lamb, bone out  2 onions, peeled and diced  4 cloves garlic, peeled  2 tsp tumeric  2 tsp cumin seeds, roasted and crushed  2 tsp coriander seeds, roasted and crushed  2 tbsp honey  2 tbsp sweet chili sauce  2 tbsp soya sauce  Juice of 1 lemon 2 tbsp sunflower oil  1 tsp flaky salt Optional   1 can chipotle in adobo sauce' Preheat your oven to 180*c, fan bake. Place the lamb leg into a bowl and pour over all the remaining ingredients. Massage marinate into the meat, cover with cling-film and place into the fridge to marinate for as long as you can. Overnight would be awesome! To cook, take a large oven bag and place the lamb along with the marinate into the bag and then onto a roasting tray and into the middle of the oven.   Cook for 45 minutes, after this time, remove and allow to rest for at least 20 minutes. Remove the bones and shred the remaining meat back into the bag with the jucies.   Serve with soft tortilla, coriander and salsa.  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 14 Feb 2026 23:15:49 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/full-show-podcast-15-february-2026/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/full-show-podcast-15-february-2026/ On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 15 February 2026,  British Australian actress Miriam Margolyes chats her upcoming new film Holy Days and pushes back on rumours she might not have long left to live. We often think of grief as death but we all experience living losses too. Dr Lucy Hone is a specialist in resilience psychology and talks to Francesca about recognising other forms of loss and grief and how we can all cope with the hard things in life. Sailing Professor Mark Orams calls for changes to Sail GP following the Black Foils major crash on the first day of the Auckland event, while Francesca pushes back on suggestions the Winter Olympics are elitist. And scientists have found coffee consumption might reduce your dementia risk ... or have they?  Dr Michelle Dickinson clears up the latest in coffee research. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 14 Feb 2026 23:12:39 Z