Geoff Parkes is making his debut as a fiction author - but his CV highlights a long and varied career across multiple areas.

He's worked in abattoirs and wool sheds in New Zealand, he’s been a hay contractor, sold insurance and has been an executive of a Fortune 500 company in the medical industry.

He's also made a name for himself as a rugby writer - and he's written his debut novel set in rural New Zealand, When the Deep Dark Bush Swallows You Whole.

"There's certainly elements of my experience - people, events, even little snatches of dialogue, things like that. They're dotted in the book, but by far, the majority of it is fictional...and that's really the process."

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Famed British-Australian actress Miriam Margolyes has been spending the last few months in New Zealand to prepare for her latest film role - but she took the time to explore the nation as well.

To learn more about the Kiwi way of life, she embarked on a road trip across New Zealand's North and South Islands, with a camera crew following her along the way.

Miriam Margolyes in New Zealand is set to be available for Kiwi fans on Neon and Sky Go this week - but she felt the need to talk about the highlights from the trip ahead of February 9.

"If I'd come to New Zealand first, I would have definitely settled here - definitely. I've gone off Australia, and that's the truth."

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The Peacock and the Sparrow by I.S.Berry. Like the books of David McCloskey of which I’m so fond (Damascus Station, Moscow X) – the author I.S.Berry also worked for the CIA, which gives this book a real sense of authenticity and knowing what she’s writing about. Shane Collins is a CIA operative based in Bahrain. He’s jaded, nearing compulsory retirement age and has no illusions about his own shortcomings. His job in Bahrain is to feed intel back to America about Iran’s involvement in an Arab spring type uprising but this is a really murky world where things might not be as they seem and everyone’s expendable. Throw in the 2011 implosion of Bahrain and it’s dynamite. If you like a top shelf spy thriller, look no further. This is the real deal.

Jackie Public, Private, Secret by J. Randy Taraborelli. Much has been written about Jackie Kennedy Onassis, but this book expertly goes behind the scenes to tell the story of the woman who once said that she had three lives – public, private and secret. The author delves into them all, after decades of interviews with family members, friends, lovers and colleagues and the result is a very personal insight into the woman who married a serial philanderer who went on to become President; who suffered lifelong trauma after his assassination; and whose life was coloured by complex relationships, many of them under constant scrutiny by media and the world at large. It’s absolutely fascinating.

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Plenty of prospective travellers will aim to book a hosted tour to make the most out of their destination - but that's not a choice for everyone.

Planning the perfect holiday comes with plenty of extra pressures, because no-one wants to miss anything they want to see or run out of time to see an undiscovered gem.

BloggerAtLarge writer Megan Singleton has outlined her tips for planning the perfect itinerary, with more advice available here.

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On the Sunday Session with Roman Travers Full Show Podcast for Sunday 2nd February 2025, the delightful Miriam Margolyes has been won over by New Zealand, she tells Roman all about her Kiwi road trip.

New fiction author Geoff Parkes has had a diverse career - from abattoirs to wool sheds through to being an executive at Fortune 500 companies - he talks diversity and why rural noir is so popular.

Roman questions whether mining is the best option for economic growth while Strattera CEO and former Green MP Catherine Delahunty debate the merits of the Government's new mining strategy.

Steve Newall shares some good news for Jacinda Ardern out of the Sundance Film Festival.

And should fizzy drinks be banned from sports stadiums? The panel discusses.

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

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This week on the Sunday Panel, Managing Director at 818, Chris Henry, and Senior PR Consult at One Plus One Communications, Damien Venuto, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week - and more!

The Government is aiming to double the country's mining exports by 2035 as part of their latest strategy. Industry experts are in favour of this move, but environmental groups have their doubts. Do we think this is a good idea?

In an effort to promote healthier choices, Palmerston North Council is proposing a fizzy drink ban at venues, including a major sports stadium. Do we agree with this - or does it feel like a nanny state move?

What's your top Kiwi beach?

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There's growing concern about the marketing power of health influencers - and how people get caught up in trying trends pushed by people with dubious medical credentials.

TikTok users have recently been spotlighting berberine - a treatment dubbed 'nature's Ozempic' by health influencers.

Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explains why we feel drawn in by social media trends, and stressed the importance of researching first.

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Cook time: 20 minutes

Prep time: 20 minutes

Serves: 4-6

2 eggplants, sliced length ways into 1cm thick slices

1 cup oregano leaves

2 cups coriander leaves

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

3 cloves garlic, peeled

Juice of one lemon

Flaky salt

1 fresh chilli de-seeded

3 tbsp olive oil

150gm plain yoghurt

2 tsp tahini paste

2 cloves garlic, crushed

2 tbsp olive oil

Sea salt

Brush the sliced eggplant with a little bit of oil before grilling over a hot BBQ or Engel fire until well coloured and tender.

Place the rest of the ingredients into a blender and blitz until smooth.

Spoon the marinade over the top of the eggplant and mix through until all the eggplant slices are covered. Set aside and allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

To make up the dressing simply, combine the yoghurt, tahini and garlic in a bowl, slowly whisk in the olive oil and season with a pinch of salt.

Plate your eggplants and spoon over the yoghurt dressing.

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