The Black Ferns won the 2022 World Cup, in a game many were proud to watch and celebrate.

The final score was 34-31, which allowed the Black Ferns to claim their sixth Rugby World Cup title.

Former Black Fern Honey Hireme-Smiler was among the mass of New Zealanders proud to celebrate that win, as she explained here.

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Yesterday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern travelled to Cambodia to attend the annual East Asia Summit (EAS), ahead of representing New Zealand at APEC Economic Leaders Week in Thailand.  

Adam Pearse, NZ Herald political reporter, explained that these meetings are part of the Government's strategy to connect with world leaders following the pandemic restrictions slowing that process down.

Adam Pearse also highlighted what else Jacinda Ardern and Trade Minister Damien O’Connor will set out to accomplish with this international outreach.

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Over in the US, New York Times business investments editor David Enrich has just released his new book 'Servants of the Damned'.

'Servants of the Damned' looks into the evolution of law firms – particularly one of the biggest in the world, Jones Day, who backed Donald Trump's 2016 election bid.

David Enrich talked about the book here today, which is available in stores now.

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Well, they did it. With an over 42,500 strong crowd behind them, the Black Ferns upset the tournament favourites to take home the 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup. What an incredible story – to rebuild after a disastrous Northern tour at the end of last year and get to the World Cup final would on its own have been an inspiring story.

But the Black Ferns have given us so much more. They united the country in support of women’s rugby. They reminded us playing sport should be done with passion and joy as much as with grit, skill and commitment. They reminded us of the importance of simply being yourself. The Black Ferns story goes well beyond just winning.

And I hope those behind the Football Ferns and Fifa Women’s World Cup 2023 organisers have been watching and taking note.

The Black Ferns have offered a master class in how to build support and profile, and turn a team – and I mean the whole team – into household names.

Next year New Zealand Football has an even bigger stage on which to inspire and grow women’s football in New Zealand. To do that they need to get budding young football players – both girls and boys and their families - into stadiums next year. Having a team you know and support, like the Foot tball Ferns, plays a large in achieving this.

To be honest, I hadn’t until recently realised how big a deal it is to be co-hosting the Fifa Women’s World Cup 2023 with Australia.

The World Cup is massive. The last Women’s World Cup, held in France three years ago, had more than 1.12 billion broadcast views (compared to the Men’s 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan which had 480 million views), and and 82 million people watched the final. And next year the Women’s World Cup tournament is larger than ever before with 32 teams competing, up from 28.

At present, women’s team sports are blossoming and growing here and around the globe. Maybe there’s a new appreciation for live sport after being deprived of it over the last couple of years, but the numbers attending women’s football are impressive.

In April, a new world record for attendance at a women’s football match was achieved in Spain – 91,600 people. It’s not uncommon in Europe for over

30,000 fans to turn up to an international friendly. 68,000 went to watch the opening of the Euros at Old Trafford. France also managed to pull a crowd of 43,000 at a Champions League semi. This all bodes very well for next year.

Massive broadcast crowds, New Zealand on show (and hopefully living the brand), Football tourism, a lasting legacy of better infrastructure for women’s football, and a big push for the game.

I’m starting to get a picture of the opportunity in front of us. This is massive.

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This week on The Sunday Panel, NZ Herald senior writer Simon Wilson and Coast day host Lorna Subritzky called in to talk with Francesca Rudkin about the following topics: 

Today at the Labour Conference, Jacinda Ardern is set to announce cost of living policy today. Ardern has said it won’t include tax cuts, is this likely to be a repeat of August’s three-part payments? The last payment went badly for Labour’s polling, is this really the answer to the struggling families? 

The TVNZ merger is forecast to lose $100m per year after merger, supplemented $211m per year by the Crown. Should taxpayers be expected to foot the bill to maintain TVNZ?  

Fireworks – from stressed and injured animals to bush fires, is it finally time to accept that maybe the excitement of fireworks is not enough to outweigh the damage they may be causing? It will never be risk free, but is there a safer way to manage Guy Fawkes? 

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The way we live and eat is opening us up to insulin resistance. Our modern world has more choice in terms of carbohydrates and processed foods, which causes this problem.

Insulin resistance happens when the body doesn't respond properly to insulin, creating heightened blood sugar levels. This can contribute to other health problems, such as heart disease and PCOS. 

Naturopath and wellness expert explained the relationship insulin resistance has to type 2 diabetes and the importance of getting checked out early, especially if you struggle with weight gain.

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The team at Pic’s Peanut Butter have released a cook book and whether you're just a peanut butter on toast type of person, or a spoonful from the jar person, this book is set to expand your peanut butter repertoire.

The book also tells founder Pic Picot’s journey to creating his famous peanut butter brand and how the company has progressed over those years. 

Pic Picot himself explained everything the brand has accomplished so far and highlighted some of the more unusual recipes featured in the book.

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This week we have the most amazing recipe using one of my most favourite vegetables, asparagus. We have some popping up in the gardens at the moment, but ours are very long stalks. I've been told that you have to wait for 3 years before you start picking them.  

A couple of things to note when you are cooking or looking to serve asparagus.  

• You don't need to peel new season asparagus, only later in the season when the asparagus starts to get woody 
• Always blanch and refresh your asparagus  
• When blanching, use heavy salted boiling water 
• Blanch the asparagus for 10 seconds only and then straight into iced water 
• Reheat quickly by sauteing, throw them onto your BBQ or serve cold in your salad. 

Enjoy! 

Cider risotto with broad beans, asparagus & poached chicken 

Cook time: 30 minutes 

Prep time: 20 minutes 

Serves: 6 

300ml apple cider  

300 ml chicken stock  

1 onion, finely chopped  

4 cloves garlic, crushed  

1 Tbsp grapeseed oil  

250g Arborio rice  

100g butter  

1/2 cup finely grated fresh parmesan  

1 bunch asparagus, bases removed, cut into 3cm lengths 

1 cup broad beans  

1/2 cup chopped fresh watercress  

shaved parmesan to serve 

Place the chicken breasts in a large heavy based frying pan and cover with the cider and stock. 

Bring to the boil then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.  

Remove the chicken from the pan and rest in a dish with a little of the cider stock.  

Blanch the beans and the asparagus in some lightly salted boiling water and refresh in an ice bath.  

Sauté the onion and the garlic together in a large frying pan.  

Add the rice and cook for two minutes while stirring. Gradually add the cider stock, a little at a time until the rice is al dente. Turn of the heat and stir in the butter and the grated parmesan. Add the blanched vegetables and the watercress and stir to combine.  

Slice the poached chicken into strips and carefully mix into the risotto.  

Serve with some shaved parmesan. 

Mike’s website – goodfromscratch.co.nz 

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David Farrier's latest documentary Mr Organ is out in theatres November 10th, but the lead up to the piece suggests viewers are in for a unique experience.

Weird and darkly entertaining works are on-brand for David Farrier, and Mr Organ has been five years in the making.

David Farrier has promised viewers an in-depth look into Michael Organ and the people who've interacted with him over the years.

This includes stories of abuse, trauma and manipulation, as Michael Organ attempts to get into the film-makers heads. Ahead of the release, Steve Newall explains what viewers can expect from this experience.

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Lee and Andrew Child have been collaborating on books for the last two years, with Lee Child originally phasing his brother Andrew in to take over writing the Jack Reacher series completely.

Despite previous statements claiming he had outgrown writing the series, Lee and Andrew kept working on the books together, with their third Jack Reacher collaboration out to buy now. 

'No Plan B' is the latest Jack Reacher project, and Lee and Andrew themselves called in from Wyoming to talk us through it!

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