Sunday Morning for Sunday 3 August 2025

8:10 The latest from the UK with Christian Smith  

UK correspondent Christian Smith talks to Jim about the big stories making news in Britain. 

8:35 The Sunday Morning Quiz 

Our usual quizmaster Jack Waley-Cohen is taking a break this week - so Jim is joined by RNZ’s lead scheduler Nick Robinson, who moonlights as a pub quiz master. Wake up your brain and have a go!  

8:40 Annoying people might be ageing you 

Many of us have people in our social group who bring us down. Some of us feel hassled by people we know and love.  

A recent study from New York University has shown that negative social ties could potentially add as much as 2.5 months to your biological age. Science writer David Robson joins Jim to talk about the research. 

9:10 Mediawatch 

Mediawatch looks at the media management of the move to scrap payWave charges in shops, the top guy at the FBI secretly dropping in this week - and the deepening crisis in Gaza giving the media a dilemma. Also: 160 years in print came to an end for the Marlborough Express this week. 

9:40 Is tanning making a comeback? 

The risks of tanning are well known but some people are still actively seeking to be bronzed by the sun – not only to darken their skin but for other purported benefits.  In the United States, the health secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has been seen leaving a tanning clinic.   

Dermatologist and chairperson for the NZ Dermatology Research Trust Dr Louise Reiche is with Jim to talk about some of the misconceptions and truths about exposure to the sun. 

10:10 Temuera Morrison on his new show Chief of War 

Chief of War is an epic historical TV drama set in the islands of Hawaii, written by and starring Jason Momoa along with NZ actors Temuera Morrison and Cliff Curtis. 

Based on true events, it follows the warrior Ka’iana, as he tries to unify the islands before Western colonization in the late 18th century. Temuera joins Jim to talk about the Apple TV+ series and what it was like to shoot on the beaches of Hawaii. 

10:20 Stylist Sarah Stuart on statement socks and perfect pants  

Sarah Stuart has worked as a TV fashion stylist for over 15 years, and has dressed Mick Jagger, Temuera Morrison, Rose Matafeo, Samantha Hayes, Mike McRoberts and RNZ’s own Jesse Mulligan.   

She joins Jim again to discuss fast fashion, your choice of socks, and how to find pants that fit well.  

10:40 Exercise can help older adults reduce 'memory glitches'

Memory glitches start becoming more common as we age, but a big study out of UK and US universities has found that adults over 50 have less "memory glitches" when they have better wellbeing - including a decent exercise regime.

Dr Mandy Hagstrom is an exercise scientist at the University of NSW, whose work focuses on resistance training. She joins Jim to discuss the research.

11:10 What’s My Book About: Lauren Roche 

Lauren Roche retired from working as a doctor in 2019 following a spinal cord injury and now spends her days writing. Her latest novel Julia Eichardt – A life of grit and grace brings to life the untold story of one of Queenstown’s resilient settlers. Julia Eichardt was a hotel worker who went on to own and run Eichardt's Hotel.  

11:30 Costa Botes: Remembering Forgotten Silver 

Forgotten Silver is a slice of local cinematic history that is largely forgotten. The mockumentary, which followed the increasingly ridiculous story of fictitious filmmaker Colin McKenzie, was produced and directed by Costa Botes along with co-conspirator Peter Jackson. 

The film generated huge public reaction when it aired on Sunday night television in 1995, with some viewers having the wool pulled over their eyes. Costa joins Jim to discuss the film’s impact 30 years ago, as detailed in his book Remembering Forgotten Silver. 

Forgotten Silver screenings just announced:  

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland: Monday 11 August, 6:15PM - Hollywood Avondale 
Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington: Monday 25 August, 6:15PM - Embassy Theatre

Visit nziff.co.nz for full details.

11:50 The difficulty of finding a job after 50 

Are employers biased against older job applicants? Career coach Holly Rees says it’s a tough job market at the moment, and some older applicants are feeling overlooked despite having loads of skills and experience. She joins Jim to discuss how people can brush up their CVs, and how to tailor covering letters to suit the job. 

 

The Sunday Poem: Lonely Dog

The morning is still, the birds have no trill
The cats have nothing to say
But 'rho, rho, rho' says the loud lonely dog
Left all alone for the day

The odd car goes by, the clouds in the sky
Up above are reluctant to stay
And 'rho, rho, rho' says the loud lonely dog
Awaiting what might come his way

The hours drag on, the afternoon's gone
There are lengthening shadows at play
And 'rho, rho, rho' says the loud lonely dog
But his master has told him to 'stay'

And no-one at all, answers his call
Though he barks through the whole of the day
He's simply ignored, abandoned and bored
As another week gets underway

By Robert Free, The Otago Harbour Bard