‘A drier story’: Weekend brings relief for storm-battered regions
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The Sunday Session
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THE SUNDAY SESSION WITH FRANCESCA RUDKIN
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'The best thing': Wagner Moura opens up about significance of Golden Globes win
Wagner Moura is a Brazilian actor, filmmaker and producer, and he made history with his first Golden Globes win last week. He won for his role in political thriller...
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Wikipedia turns 25: What does that mean for the wider world?
On January 15, 2001, Wikipedia officially launched online, giving users a new platform to learn from. While the site's credibility and reliability were questioned...
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Whitcoulls Recommends: The Heir Apparent and The Uncool
The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage - I touched on this one in the fiction round up at the end of last year but given time constraints with a number of books in...
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TripAdvisor research reveals top destinations for 2026
2026 is getting under way, and prospective travellers have outlined their top spots for the new year. Bali, London and Dubai make up the top three, with Rome, Marrakech...
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The Sunday Panel: What does the Razor sacking mean for NZR?
This week on the Sunday Panel, editor and journalist Jo McCarroll and resident economist at Opes Partners, Ed McKnight, joined in on a discussion about the following...
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Explained: Expert reveals why restrictive diets don't work
It's a new year and people are looking to lose weight and improve themselves, but one expert is urging caution. Restrictive dieting may seem tempting, but research...
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The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast: 18 January 2026
On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 18 January 2026, Wikipedia turned 25 this week. Founder Jimmy Wales joins the show to share...
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Mike van de Elzen: Tomato Kasundi
Tomato Kasundi Cook time: 60 minutes Prep time: 30 minutes Serves: 4-6 3 tbsp sunflower oil 2 tbsp sunflower seeds 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds 1 tbsp black mustard...
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New research finds chewing gum linked to reduced anxiety
Humans have been chewing gum for thousands of years - from ancient tree resins to modern spearmint sticks, the habit has endured across cultures and centuries. Now,...
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'Amazing': ZM's Georgia Burt looks back on Ed Sheeran's Auckland shows
British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran's Loop tour kicked off at Auckland's Go Media Stadium over the weekend, and fans have been thrilled so far. Sheeran recently...
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Culinary tour host seeks lawnmower mechanic for India travels
Culinary tour host Sarah Meikle is on mission to find a lawnmower mechanic for the trip of a lifetime. Meikle and her team are set to take part in the Rickshaw Run,...
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Auckland FC announces collaboration set to use football to rehabilitate prisoners
The Twinning Project was originally launched in the UK in a bid to rehabilitate prisoners with the power of sport, and it's now making its way to New Zealand. The...
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Election 2026: Expert outlines early predictions
The 2026 election is set to take place later this year, and it's expected we'll see an election date by the end of next week. Speculation is growing as 2026 gets...
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Right to disconnect: CTU calls for new policies to be implemented
As workers across the country return to their jobs for a new year, there's growing calls to give people the right to ignore their bosses after hours. A new policy...
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Francesca Rudkin: It’s reassuring to see decisive leadership from NZR
Typically, we think not much real news happens in January, but there’s normally one big story which grabs our attention - be it wild fires, the Jan 6th Capitol riots...
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Best of 2025: Dr Timoti Te Moke on the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin
From prison to med school: Dr Timoti te Moke opens up about rough upbringing that led him to healthcare Dr Timoti Te Moke became a doctor at age 56, but it wasn't...
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Best of 2025: Helena Bonham Carter on the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin
'It wasn't a difficult yes': Helena Bonham Carter talks new role in Four Letters of Love Since launching into the spotlight in the 1985 film A Room with a View,...
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Mike Van de Elzen: Christmas Strawberry Sponge
Cook time: 10mins Prep time: 30mins Serves 6 people INGREDIENTS: 6 eggspinch of salt250 gm caster sugar1 tsp vanilla paste10 tbsp plain flour2 tsp baking powder50...
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Best of 2025: Amanda Knox on the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin
Amanda Knox talks new book Free: My Search for Meaning In 2007, Amanda Knox was arrested for the brutal murder of her flatmate while studying in Italy - and it was...
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Expert gardener Jo McCaroll answer's callers queries on stubborn weeds, growing peaches, and pests
On the Sunday Session expert gardener Jo McCaroll joined Francesca Rudkin for Garden Hour to answer listeners questions about getting rid of stubborn weeds, growing...
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Best of 2025: Bret McKenzie on the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin
Flight of the Conchords' Bret McKenzie unveils new album 'Freak Out City' Kiwi musician and comedian Bret McKenzie, best known for his work with Flight of the Conchords,...
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Best of 2025: Melanie Lynskey on the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin
Pike River: Actress Melanie Lynskey reveals why the story needed to be told New Zealanders will get an insight into the Pike River tragedy that continues to be felt...
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Bridesmaids director Paul Feig on his new film The Housemaid
Director Paul Feig joined Francesca Rudkin to chat about his new movie, coming to cinemas on Boxing Day, titled The Housemaid. Previously Feig has directed Bridesmaids...
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The Panel with Liam Hehir and Irene Gardiner: Domination of streaming services, and reflecting on economic decisions
Now that the GDP has been released, was the Reserve Bank decision to hold interest rates the right one? Should the rapidly growing streaming industry pay tax in...
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The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast: 21 December 2025
Listen to the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 21 December. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every...
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Michelle Dickinson: How swearing can make you stronger
A study published this week in the journal American Psychologist has said that swearing can make you physically stronger. Participants were required to do a chair...
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Politics with Thomas Coughlan: What the final week of politics for the year tells us about election 2026
New Zealand politics has been a whirlwind this year with RBNZ drama, Te Pati Māori's meltdown, the Treaty principles bill, and local body elections. 2026 will be...
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Francesca Rudkin: 2025 saw great athletic success but NZ sport needs soul searching
At this time of the year it’s nice to reflect on some of the good things that happened throughout the year, and just days ago the nominees for the 63rd Halberg Awards...
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Revealed: What inspired Julian Dennison to become a DJ?
Kiwi actor Julian Dennison's built up an impressive acting resume between Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Deadpool 2, and How to Train Your Dragon, but he's about to...
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Whitcoulls Recommends: Joan's top non-fiction books of 2025
Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy. This is by the author of the Booker Prize winning The God of Small Things - about her life growing up in India, the forces...
