Articles by Francesca Rudkin
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Opinion
Francesca Rudkin: The Oscars are the perfect distraction from the world
Sunday, 15 March 2026, 10:35amSo, if you were hoping 2026 would be a simpler year than the previous few, you’re probably rethinking your expectations....
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Opinion
Francesca Rudkin: The move-on laws won't be welcome news for everybody
Sunday, 1 March 2026, 10:33amThe Government’s this week announced it will give police the power to issue move-on orders in town centres across the country...
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Opinion
Francesca Rudkin: It’s time the US Department of Justice followed the UK's example
Sunday, 22 February 2026, 10:23amWell, there is absolutely no question what the biggest story in the world was on Friday. Words used to describe the arrest...
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Opinion
Francesca Rudkin: Our Winter Olympians deserve to be recognised and celebrated
Sunday, 15 February 2026, 10:29amWhat an incredible weekend of sport, with the T20 Cricket World Cup, Super Rugby Pacific, and SailGP sweeping into Auckland...
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Opinion
Francesca Rudkin: Are Erica Stanford's reporting changes a step in the right direction?
Sunday, 8 February 2026, 12:35pmWell, congratulations to all the parents out there of school-age children - most returned to school last week, only then...
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Opinion
Francesca Rudkin: What a heartbreaking, devastating week for the North Island
Sunday, 25 January 2026, 10:15amWhat a week. What a heartbreaking, devastating week across the North Island. The weather raged. Homes ruined. Livelihoods...
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Opinion
Francesca Rudkin: It’s reassuring to see decisive leadership from NZR
Sunday, 18 January 2026, 10:15amTypically, we think not much real news happens in January, but there’s normally one big story which grabs our attention -...
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Opinion
Francesca Rudkin: Willis v Richardson, I'm all for it
Sunday, 14 December 2025, 10:11amIt’s a stunt, performative politics, a farce, a side show, a distraction from the HYEFU and quarterly GDP results being released...
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Opinion
Francesca Rudkin: Why are we in such a retail frenzy?
Sunday, 30 November 2025, 12:48pmAudio file FR EDITORIAL 301125.mp3 Transcript So, did you get yourself a bargain on Black Friday or some kind of good...
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Opinion
Francesca Rudkin: How long will living in the university halls be financially viable?
Sunday, 23 November 2025, 10:22amYesterday my son’s contract with his Canterbury University hall came to an end. He was officially a hall member for 41...
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Opinion
Francesca Rudkin: The Government’s changes to the Screen Rebate Scheme are a good start
Sunday, 9 November 2025, 11:06amIt was really good on Friday to see the Government respond to the film industry’s call for help to remain globally competitive....
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Opinion
Francesca Rudkin: How do we get good candidates and voters engaged in local body elections?
Sunday, 12 October 2025, 12:46pmSo, guess what - according to Local Government NZ, voter turnout around the country for the local body elections has been...
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Opinion
Francesca Rudkin: We need to be more compassionate when dealing with tragedy
Sunday, 14 September 2025, 12:31pmIt’s been a sad week. Humanity has not been at its best. A police officer almost lost his life and we got a glimpse into...
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Opinion
Francesca Rudkin: There's nothing like sport to unite the country
Sunday, 7 September 2025, 12:17pmGrowing up, my mother used to say that life is 95 percent anticipation. It’s in the wait, the build-up and the preparation...
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Opinion
Francesca Rudkin: I wish Auckland was vibing as much as Christchurch
Sunday, 31 August 2025, 2:33pmSo, while we were on a break, I went to Christchurch to see my son for his 19th birthday. It was a fleeting visit. I flew...
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Opinion
Francesca Rudkin: Has the Government got its priorities right with the electoral changes?
Sunday, 27 July 2025, 10:06amRight, all you dropkicks out there - as David Seymour fondly called some voters this week - the electoral laws are changing...
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Opinion
Francesca Rudkin: There's no doubt that Robyn Malcolm is in her prime
Sunday, 8 June 2025, 10:14amTwo things have entertained me this week. We’ve had the falling out of two of the world’s most powerful and wealthy narcissists...
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Opinion
Francesca Rudkin: How can we stop the sideline abuse in sport?
Sunday, 1 June 2025, 10:30amThis week, the New Zealand rugby union say it will cancel senior rugby matches for a weekend if there are any more incidents...
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Opinion
Francesca Rudkin: McClure's AI deepfake bill is a common sense move
Saturday, 31 May 2025, 9:48amIt’s not often you will hear me unreservedly champion an ACT policy, but I am all in when it comes to their concern and policy...
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Opinion
Francesca Rudkin: They don't make them like Tom Cruise anymore
Sunday, 18 May 2025, 10:33amThey don’t make them like Tom Cruise anymore. As the nature of stardom has changed over the last few decades the idea of...
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Opinion
Francesca Rudkin: There's a new horror movie out - in the form of Trump tariffs
Sunday, 11 May 2025, 10:31amThis week, a new disaster movie was announced. There isn’t a script yet, because no one knows how it’s going to end - and...
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Opinion
Francesca Rudkin: Financial literacy in schools is a good thing
Sunday, 4 May 2025, 10:09amThese days I have blurry memories of my time at primary school in Auckland in the late 70s, early 80s, but I can very clearly...
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Opinion
Francesca Rudkin: Let China and the US sort it out
Thursday, 24 April 2025, 6:18amSometimes being the grown up in the room is deeply unfulfilling, pragmatic, sensible. Considering consequences, taking a...
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Audio
New protections require banks to reimburse fraud victims up to $500,000
Thursday, 24 April 2025, 6:11amA 24/7 reporting channel is just one of the new anti-scamming measures banks are implementing. The suite of consumer protections...
