Australian author Charlotte McConaghy’s novel Wild Dark Shore has been widely reviewed as one of the must read books of 2025. 

It also saw McConaghy named on the longlist for the Women’s Prize for Fiction. 

Ahead of her appearance at the Auckland Writers Festival, she's opened up about the creative journey behind her iconic work.

"I was concerned that my sort of level of immersion into my writing was so different than what it had been in the past, and I was worried that it was going to sort of translate into the book and into the writing - they're very normal doubts to have as a writer."

LISTEN ABOVE

Australian author Charlotte McConaghy’s novel Wild Dark Shore has been widely reviewed as one of the must read books of 2025.&nbsp;
It also saw McConaghy named on the longlist for the Women’s Prize for Fiction.&nbsp;
Ahead of her appearance at the Auckland Writers Festival, she's opened up about the creative journey behind her iconic work.
"I was concerned that my sort of level of immersion into my writing was so different than what it had been in the past, and I was worried that it was going to sort of translate into the book and into the writing - they're very normal doubts to have as a writer."
LISTEN ABOVE

News, opinion, analysis, lifestyle and entertainment – we’ve got your Sunday morning listening covered with The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin on Newstalk ZB.

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

Charlotte McConaghy: Australian author speaks ahead of Auckland Writers Festival appearance

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b03c557d-2f0b-4343-9251-b40e00045367/transcript

A long-distance swimming record's been broken by a New Zealander wanting to protect our ocean.

Open-water swimmer Jono Ridler has swum more 1300 kilometres, from the top of the North Island to the capital - with only his togs, goggles, and swim cap.

His trip was segmented, starting in January, and ending in Wellington only yesterday.

Ridler says yesterday was 'incredible', with lots of Wellingtonians coming out to help celebrate the cause.

"All of the excitement of the moment, the joy of finishing, the sadness of ending what has been an all-consuming mission - just a lot of different emotions." 

LISTEN ABOVE

A long-distance swimming record's been broken by a New Zealander wanting to protect our ocean.
Open-water swimmer Jono Ridler has swum more 1300 kilometres, from the top of the North Island to the capital - with only his togs, goggles, and swim cap.
His trip was segmented, starting in January, and ending in Wellington only yesterday.
Ridler says yesterday was 'incredible', with lots of Wellingtonians coming out to help celebrate the cause.
"All of the excitement of the moment, the joy of finishing, the sadness of ending what has been an all-consuming mission - just a lot of different emotions."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Jono Ridler: Auckland open water swimmer on completing his record 1367km swim the length of North Island

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/1988598c-b4a9-4c1f-ba7a-b42201739266/transcript

On Thursday afternoon, almost 300 pages of police emails, text messages and documents were released about the Tom Phillips Netflix documentary, following an Official Information Act request. What was released raises real questions about the appropriateness of the relationship and communication between police and the production company - and whether the doco should be made at all.  

The planned Netflix documentary sits right in the middle of the tension between public interest storytelling, and the welfare of vulnerable children. It is not just a media issue - the information that was released poses legal, ethical, and social questions.  

On one hand, there is a clear argument for the documentary to go ahead. The Phillips case gripped the nation: three children were missing for nearly four years before being recovered after a violent police confrontation in 2025. A documentary could provide transparency, explain police decision-making, and help the public understand how such a prolonged disappearance was able to happen.  

From the production company perspective a documentary is a good business opportunity. Global true-crime documentaries sell, and this story has undeniable international appeal. Producer Dame Julie Christie isn’t one to sit around discussing placing levy's on streaming services, rather she believes in producing globally appealing content they will buy. So, it was no surprise to learn this doco would be broadcast on Netflix - Christie has always walked the talk.  

However, the OIA documents complicate things. They show that filmmakers were granted unusually high levels of access to police operations, including briefings and access to a crime scene, in what could be seen as an exchange for police oversight of the final product.  

This raises two concerns. First, it risks turning the documentary into what critics describe as “police PR,” rather than an independent account. The police have final sign off on the editing of the documentary, which implies they have a certain amount of control over the narrative.  

Second, it suggests the production company was given privileges beyond what is typical for media. The production company was given a heads up about Philip’s death before his family or the media, which the Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has expressed regret for.  

The Commissioner also added that the documentary was not always handled in line with the usual protocols and processes that apply to documentaries police are involved in. That’s not on the production company, which clearly built a good working relationship with police and were just doing their job when asking for co-operation and access. If it’s granted, they’re not going to turn it down.  

But where most New Zealanders will be wary of this documentary is when it comes to the welfare of the children. Experts and family members have already warned that a film could retraumatise them, particularly given their prolonged isolation and the ongoing process of reintegration. There are court injunctions limiting what can be reported, signalling that the legal system prioritises their protection over public disclosure.

But if there was not this documentary there will only be another one - or a book, or articles. Everyone has an opinion on this story; the interest won’t go away.  

The Police Commissioner said, “There were strict conditions in place to protect the children and sensitive police operational information,” Let’s hope that’s the case. 

LISTEN ABOVE

On Thursday afternoon, almost 300 pages of police emails, text messages and documents were released about the Tom Phillips Netflix documentary, following an Official Information Act request. What was released raises real questions about the appropriateness of the relationship and communication between police and the production company - and whether the doco should be made at all. &nbsp;
The planned Netflix documentary sits right in the middle of the tension between public interest storytelling, and the welfare of vulnerable children. It is not just a media issue - the information that was released poses legal, ethical, and social questions. &nbsp;
On one hand, there is a clear argument for the documentary to go ahead. The Phillips case gripped the nation: three children were missing for nearly four years before being recovered after a violent police confrontation in 2025. A documentary could provide transparency, explain police decision-making, and help the public understand how such a prolonged disappearance was able to happen. &nbsp;
From the production company perspective a documentary is a good business opportunity. Global true-crime documentaries sell, and this story has undeniable international appeal. Producer Dame Julie Christie isn’t one to sit around discussing placing levy's on streaming services, rather she believes in producing globally appealing content they will buy. So, it was no surprise to learn this doco would be broadcast on Netflix - Christie has always walked the talk. &nbsp;
However, the OIA documents complicate things. They show that filmmakers were granted unusually high levels of access to police operations, including briefings and access to a crime scene, in what could be seen as an exchange for police oversight of the final product. &nbsp;
This raises two concerns. First, it risks turning the documentary into what critics describe as “police PR,” rather than an independent account. The police have final sign off on the editing of the documentary, which implies they have a certain amount of control over the narrative. &nbsp;
Second, it suggests the production company was given privileges beyond what is typical for media. The production company was given a heads up about Philip’s death before his family or the media, which the Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has expressed regret for. &nbsp;
The Commissioner also added that the documentary was not always handled in line with the usual protocols and processes that apply to documentaries police are involved in. That’s not on the production company, which clearly built a good working relationship with police and were just doing their job when asking for co-operation and access. If it’s granted, they’re not going to turn it down. &nbsp;
But where most New Zealanders will be wary of this documentary is when it comes to the welfare of the children. Experts and family members have already warned that a film could retraumatise them, particularly given their prolonged isolation and the ongoing process of reintegration. There are court injunctions limiting what can be reported, signalling that the legal system prioritises their protection over public disclosure.
But if there was not this documentary there will only be another one - or a book, or articles. Everyone has an opinion on this story; the interest won’t go away. &nbsp;
The Police Commissioner said, “There were strict conditions in place to protect the children and sensitive police operational information,” Let’s hope that’s the case.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Francesca Rudkin: Should the Tom Phillips Netflix doco be made at all?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2c4227c5-3bbd-4bfd-96e3-b422016e59de/transcript

British newcomer Robert Aramayo was the talk of this year's BAFTA awards after he walked away with the Best Actor victory.

The leading role that saw him beat out Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothee Chalamet, and Michael B. Jordan was his depiction of  Scottish Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson in I Swear. 

Robert Aramayo and director Kirk Jones explained why it was important to tell Davidson's story in the most authentic way.

"I think it was a shared responsibility, really. We all felt that we wanted to make a good, authentic version of his life."

LISTEN ABOVE

British newcomer Robert Aramayo was the talk of this year's BAFTA awards after he walked away with the Best Actor victory.
The leading role that saw him beat out Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothee Chalamet, and Michael B. Jordan was his depiction of &nbsp;Scottish Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson in I Swear.&nbsp;
Robert Aramayo and director Kirk Jones explained why it was important to tell Davidson's story in the most authentic way.
"I think it was a shared responsibility, really. We all felt that we wanted to make a good, authentic version of his life."
LISTEN ABOVE

Kirk Jones and Robert Aramayo: director and lead actor of I Swear on the film's impact

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/3e3d2bc5-1c8a-4edd-968d-b41c000aa63d/transcript

Charlotte McConaghy: Australian author speaks ahead of Auckland Writers Festival appearance

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