One expert has labelled this week in politics an 'absolute shambles' amid a series of controversial events.

Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden made headlines after dropping the c-bomb in Parliament after critiquing an opinion piece by journalist Andrea Vance that strongly criticised her pay equity changes in the House.

NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan unpacked the controversies.

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One expert has labelled this week in politics an 'absolute shambles' amid a series of controversial events.
Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden made headlines after dropping the c-bomb in Parliament after critiquing an opinion piece by journalist Andrea Vance that strongly criticised her pay equity changes in the House.
NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan unpacked the controversies.
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

Thomas Coughlan: NZ Herald political editor on the latest with the pay equity saga

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e220fb6b-6b2b-4f34-839e-b2e0017d8187/transcript

Cook time: 10mins

Prep time: 30mins

Serves 6 people

INGREDIENTS: 

6 eggs
pinch of salt
250 gm caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla paste
10 tbsp plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
50 gm melted butter

2 punnets strawberries
300 gm fresh cream
1 tsp vanilla paste
2 tbsp icing sugar

METHOD: 

For the Sponge:
Whisk the eggs and salt until well combined, add the sugar and vanilla paste and turn up to high. 
Continue to beat until the thick.

Sift flour and baking powder together. 
Fold lightly into egg mixture. Fold in butter. Pour equally into two 20cm greased spring-form cake tins. 

Bake at 200 for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned, turn out onto racks and allow to cool. 

Whisk the cream, vanilla and 1/2 the icing sugar, whisk until firm and set aside. 

Take the strawberries and remove the green top and cut the large ones in half. 

To make the cake. Place one cake as a bottom onto a platter, then cover with 1/2 the whipped cream and 1/2 the strawberries. Place the top cake on and then the remaining cream, strawberries and finish with a dusting of remaining icing sugar. 

Cook time: 10mins
Prep time: 30mins
Serves 6 people
INGREDIENTS:&nbsp;
6 eggs pinch of salt 250 gm caster sugar 1 tsp vanilla paste 10 tbsp plain flour 2 tsp baking powder 50 gm melted butter
2 punnets strawberries 300 gm fresh cream 1 tsp vanilla paste 2 tbsp icing sugar
METHOD: 
For the Sponge: Whisk the eggs and salt until well combined, add the sugar and vanilla paste and turn up to high.&nbsp; Continue to beat until the thick.
Sift flour and baking powder together.&nbsp; Fold lightly into egg mixture. Fold in butter. Pour equally into two 20cm greased spring-form cake tins.&nbsp;
Bake at 200 for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned, turn out onto racks and allow to cool.&nbsp;
Whisk the cream, vanilla and 1/2 the icing sugar, whisk until firm and set aside.&nbsp;
Take the strawberries and remove the green top and cut the large ones in half.&nbsp;
To make the cake. Place one cake as a bottom onto a platter, then cover with 1/2 the whipped cream and 1/2 the strawberries. Place the top cake on and then the remaining cream, strawberries and finish with a dusting of remaining icing sugar.&nbsp;

Mike Van de Elzen: Christmas Strawberry Sponge

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2019a042-3c79-47d8-907b-b3c2016c4bf3/transcript

Amanda Knox talks new book Free: My Search for Meaning

In 2007, Amanda Knox was arrested for the brutal murder of her flatmate while studying in Italy - and it was a case that captured international attention.

Amanda was found guilty, convicted of the murder and spent four years in an Italian prison - but she was later found to be wrongly convicted.

10 years after she was officially exonerated of the crime, she's told her story in her new memoir Free: My Search for Meaning.

"I was immersed in a very restrictive environment...it was really important, for my sanity, to develop a sense of place and purpose."

LISTEN ABOVE

<h2>Amanda Knox talks new book Free: My Search for Meaning</h2>
In 2007, Amanda Knox was arrested for the brutal murder of her flatmate while studying in Italy - and it was a case that captured international attention.
Amanda was found guilty, convicted of the murder and spent four years in an Italian prison - but she was later found to be wrongly convicted.
10 years after she was officially exonerated of the crime, she's told her story in her new memoir Free: My Search for Meaning.
"I was immersed in a very restrictive environment...it was really important, for my sanity, to develop a sense of place and purpose."
LISTEN ABOVE

Best of 2025: Amanda Knox talks 'Free: My Search for Meaning' on the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e19b00b4-5a4d-4d31-b8d3-b3c200296f7d/transcript

On the Sunday Session expert gardener Jo McCaroll joined Francesca Rudkin for Garden Hour to answer listeners questions about getting rid of stubborn weeds, growing peaches, safe pest control, and more. 

LISTEN ABOVE

On the Sunday Session expert gardener Jo McCaroll joined Francesca Rudkin for Garden Hour to answer listeners questions about getting rid of stubborn weeds, growing peaches, safe pest control, and more.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Jo McCaroll: Expert gardener answer's callers queries on stubborn weeds, growing peaches, and pests

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c896b3bd-22af-4523-b03a-b3c10011af6e/transcript

Thomas Coughlan: NZ Herald political editor on the latest with the pay equity saga

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