The Te Araroa trail, running between Cape Reinga and Bluff, is one of the world’s most diverse long distance walks - and it's since inspired director Bart Schrijver.

The trail inspired his latest film The North - in cinemas now - which has been referred to as the ultimate hiking film.

Schrijver says hiking the trail was an 'interesting' experience, and it helped inspire the journey of the characters in the film.

"When we were walking, I was 26, 27 - and still not really knowing what I wanted to do, and then Neil, my friend, did an internship and was looking for a job, we were on this point where we were diverging into different lives. And now...the lives of us were so different."

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The NZ International Comedy Festival is just around the corner, with many iconic comedians from all over the world set to appear.

Australian comedian Felicity Ward, who fans may recognise from The Office Australia, Time Bandits or The Inbetweeners, is one of the bigger international draws, with her new show ‘I Wish I Could Come Out of My Shell’.

She says she's used to the attention being on stage brings - after years of being involved in the medium.

"I get a thrill out of being on stage, I've been doing standup since the prehistoric era. But I love stand-up more now than I did when I started, I love it."

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Not What You Think by Clare Mackintosh. Nadeeka is having a relationship with Jamie but she suspects he’s having an affair and one day heads home unexpectedly to try and catch him out. What she finds when she gets there is something else entirely...her house is a crime scene and nothing is as she'd imagined. And then it gets worse as the real story of what had been going on in Jamie’s life - and mind - unfolds into a real, current day, this is what the world is like now scenario. This is certainly a book for our times and the twists and turns confirm that Clare Mackintosh writes terrific thrillers, with this one her best yet.

Based on a True Story by Sarah Vaughan. Dame Elinor Kingman is one of the UK’s most beloved authors, and as she prepares to turn 70, she’s organising a huge celebration party at her estate in Cornwell. Her three children will be in attendance, as will many of her friends and the literary world’s great and good, along with a TV crew who are filming a documentary on her life. Then, the night before the party, someone sends her an email threatening to expose something they claim to know about her which could destroy her legacy, reputation and family. I’ve loved Sarah Vaghan’s books since Anatomy of a Scandal a few years ago - she’s great at writing about secrets that have the potential to derail everything and this one is great.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Travel expert Megan Singleton's set to spend Easter in New York, and she's revealed her itinerary for making the most of the holiday.

She's set to head to a gospel church in Harlem on Easter Sunday - the Abyssinian Baptist Church founded in 1808 where Martin Luther King and Malcom X attended.

She plans to catch an afternoon game at Yankee Stadium, and then head to the Plaza hotel for an afternoon high tea.

Read more about Megan's travel experiences here.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 5 April 2026, Aussie comedian Felicity Ward is heading our way for the upcoming comedy festival, she joins Francesca to talk about being unashamedly extroverted and how Dancing with the Stars changed her life in unusual ways.

Film director Bart Schrijver has used his experience walking the length of New Zealand to make his new film 'The North'. Bart tells Francesca of his experience on the Te Araroa trail and why he turned it into what has been called the ultimate hiking film.

Yesterday, marathon swimmer Jono Ridler completed a history making journey. 90 days, 1367 kilometres and more than 468 hours swimming in the ocean with nothing more than togs, swim cap and goggles. Jono tells Francesca the impact the swim has had on him.

Francesca talks the pros and cons of the Tom Phillips documentary, while there's a clear case for the story to be told, she says the OIA documents released this week complicate things.

And did you know bumble bees can survive days in water without drowning? Dr Michelle Dickinson explains.

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

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Sunday Panel, Director at Capital, Ben Thomas, and Resident Economist at Opes Partners, Ed McKnight, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!

The Government had their Cabinet reshuffle last week, with Minister Chris Bishop losing a few key roles. What did we make of this? Should Chris Bishop be worried?

The Tom Phillips doco - will we watch it? Given the police involvement, are we confident it’ll be an accurate account of what happened?

Would we pay to own one of Bob Marley's dreadlocks?

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another Easter weekend means there's more hot cross buns, chocolate eggs, and other sweet treats that can add to the afternoon cravings.

Many people experience a predictable 2–4 PM craving window, and it’s not just about blood sugar - with the brain's reward system calling out for dopamine and energy.

Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explained further.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fig topping

125 gm unsalted butter

150 gm soft brown sugar

6 figs, stem removed and cut in half

Cake mix

225 gm unsalted butter, softened

225 gm caster sugar

4 eggs

3 tbsp milk

100 gm whole ground almonds

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp ginger powder

150 gm flour

Serve with yogurt or ice-cream

To start:

Line a small cake loaf tin approx. 20cm x 12cm with greaseproof paper and then grease with a touch of butter.

Melt butter in saucepan over a low heat. Add sugar and stir over heat until the mix becomes foamy and pale (2-3 minutes). Pour evenly into the greased loaf tin. Place the half figs, flesh side down and set aside.

Preheat oven to 180*C.

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. In another bowl, lightly beat eggs together with milk. Gradually add eggs to butter and sugar, beating well after each addition. Stir in ground almond, baking powder, salt, and ginger. Gently fold in flour. Pour cake mixture over figs, place on a baking tray and bake for 40 minutes or until a skewer inserted into cake comes out clean.

Remove from oven and rest on a wire rack for 5 minutes before sliding a warm knife around the edge of the dish to loosen. Carefully invert to turn loaf out onto a board Slice into thick pieces, serve hot with yogurt or ice-cream.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.