Sunday Morning for Sunday 1 February 2026

8.10 Al Gillespie: Is Trump gearing up to strike Iran? 

Waikato University's International Law professor Alexander Gillespie joins Jim to discuss the how United States exerting pressure on Iran, Venezuela, and the Chagos Islands – and what might happen from here. 

 

8:25 Sunday Morning Quiz with Jack Waley-Cohen 

Quiz master Jack Waley-Cohen is back with his Sunday Morning quiz.  

Jack is the mind behind the questions on BBC's quiz show Only Connect, known for being both hard — and at the same time totally obvious. Wake up your brain and have a go!    

 

8.30 How to feel better about baring your body at the beach 

Do you dread putting on your togs each summer? There’s research that shows people are more dissatisfied with their bodies during the warmer months. New Scientist writer David Robson is with Jim to discuss how to use psychology to feel better about showing some flesh. 

 

9:00 Mediawatch 

Mediawatch looks at how the media responded to the death and devastation caused by last week’s wild weather- which was extreme, but no longer unexpected.  Also: why the NBR is confronting its own customers to force them to pay more for it - and the challenges for business news in 2026. 

 

9.35 The latest from the UK with Christian Smith 

UK correspondent Christian Smith talks to Jim about the big stories making news in Britain. This week a new documentary about the neo-natal nurse and convicted baby-killer Lucy Letby is about to launch, and there’s speculation about a leadership challenge to PM Sir Keir Starmer. 

 

10.05 Best Song Eva: Catherine Chidgey  

Catherine Chidgey’s nine novels have been published to international acclaim, and her latest The Book of Guilt was just longlisted for the 2026 Ockham Book Award.  
 
Next month, Catherine will be talking about her development as a writer as part of HamLit26, as part of the Hamilton Arts Festival Toi Ora ki Kirikiriroa.    

She’s with Jim to discuss which of her novels is her favourite, the teachers who inspired her, her ideas boxes, and to pick her Best Song Eva. 

 

10.35 Beatles Dub Club – from Glastonbury to Tapapakanga 

DJ Chris Arnold has created a DJ set showcasing The Fab Four like they’ve never been heard before, and he’s bringing it to Splore in Auckland's Tapakanga Regional Park next month.   

Chris has reimagined The Beatles via funk, hip hop, reggae and more, in a project that gained fame at Glastonbury. Chris is with Jim to discuss his trip to New Zealand and to pick his favourite Beatles song of all time. 

 

11.05 Would you watch a film with AI-generated actors? 

Tilly Norwood is the cause of much controversy in the film industry. She is the world's first AI-generated actress, and the brainchild of Dutch actress, comedian, and writer Eline Van der Velden. 

Despite criticisms from the industry, Eline describes Tilly as "really pretty but not intimidating. Everybody wants to be her friend”. She says that actors should not be threatened by Tilly, but conversely, she will enhance the industry. And, Eline says, we're going to be seeing a lot more of Tilly this year. 

 

11:45 Walking: is it really the best exercise? 

Dr Mandy Hagstrom is an exercise scientist at the University of NSW and joins Jim to discuss which form of exercise really is best – and whether cycling and swimming are as good for us as we might think. 

 

11.35 Useful Science with Bonnie Harrison 

Bonnie Harrison is here guiding us through the latest weird and useful headlines from the world of science, including the benefits of being well dressed when you fly.