The Sunday Session
9am-12pm Sun
THE SUNDAY SESSION WITH FRANCESCA RUDKIN
9am-Noon
Sink into your Sunday with the best session around.
This is the show that delivers a little bit of everything.
News, opinion, analysis, lifestyle and entertainment – we’ve got your Sunday morning listening covered.
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'The Ridge' sees Kiwi acting veteran Jay Ryan return to NZ shores
Jay Ryan made a name for himself by appearing in New Zealand TV classics like Go Girls and Creamerie, but he's been able to take his skills overseas. He's making...
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Whitcoulls Recommends: Mad Mabel and Perspective
Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth. An elderly man is found dead by his neighbour, 81-year-old Elsie. No one suspects foul play - until they discover that in the 1950's,...
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Megan Singleton talks snorkelling experience in Rarotonga
Megan Singleton's been taking in Rarotonga, and she recently got the chance to try out a unique snorkelling experience. She got the chance to try out sea scooter...
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The Sunday Panel: Is the Government deflecting ahead of the upcoming strikes?
This week on the Sunday Panel, Coast day host Lorna Riley and partner at Freebairn and Hehir, Liam Hehir, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of...
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Mike van de Elzen: Ika Mata
Ika Mata Prep time: 40 minutes Serves: 12 300gm firm white flesh fish Juice of 2 limes Juice of 2 lemons 1 small red onion, diced 1 small cucumber, diced...
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The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast: 19 October 2025
On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 19 October 2025, Boy Swallows Universe author Trent Dalton talks about mining his own life...
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Science reveals why cutting onions makes you cry
Anyone who has ever sliced an onion, knows the eye stinging feeling and watering that comes with it. A new study from researchers at Cornell University, published...
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Gravity Let Me Go: Trent Dalton opens up about latest release
Trent Dalton's made a name for himself as one of Australia's biggest authors, and he's back with something that's more personal. He's best known for his 2018 novel,...
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Is your sunscreen safe? Expert weighs in amid recalls
There's concerns among some that sunscreen poses a risk, and the high-profile product recalls in recent months have prompted discussion. Some believe sunscreen is...
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'Noticeable need': New organisation aims to boost NZ screen industry
Several Kiwi industry leaders and screen businesses have teamed up to officially launch Screen NZ International, an industry body designed to boost New Zealand's...
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Adam Pearse: What do we think Labour's economic policy will be?
The Labour Party is set to unveil their economic policy in the coming days, and speculation's growing. Reports indicate a new tax plan will soon be announced -...
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PPTA head addresses Collins' critiques ahead of strike action
An estimated 100,000 workers are set to go on strike this coming Thursday, despite warnings from the Public Service Minister. Judith Collins has penned a letter...
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'Disruption': Minister Judith Collins makes statement ahead of Thursday 'mega-strike'
The Public Service Minister has penned an open letter to New Zealanders before a major mega strike this coming week. An estimated 100,000 workers across the health...
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From the Archives: Jim Bolger on The Sunday Session
In August 2022, former Prime Minister Jim Bolger joined Newstalk ZB's Francesca Rudkin on The Sunday Session to launch his new book 'Fridays with Jim'. Listen to...
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'Helps you face the world': Peta Mathias reflects on life and style in new book
Chef, author and broadcaster Peta Mathias lives a wonderfully full life, full of gastronomic tours of the world's top food destinations. When she's not leading foodie...
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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 by relatives - and on the West Coast. A film based on the 2010 explosion...
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Whitcoulls Recommends: The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny and Last Rites
The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai. Sonia and Sunny live, study and work in America, but their families back home in India worry about the loneliness...
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Megan Singleton: Rarotonga's certainly gotten busier!
Megan Singleton's latest travel adventure has taken her to Rarotonga, and she's noticed more people seem to be flocking to the islands. Between the variety of accommodation...
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The Sunday Panel: Why don’t people take local body elections seriously?
This week on the Sunday Panel, Director at Capital, Ben Thomas, and NZ Herald senior writer, Simon Wilson, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of...
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Erin O'Hara: Does eating healthy require more than willpower?
New research indicates making healthy choices might require more effort than updating your grocery list. A new study claims women's eating habits are more socially...
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Francesca Rudkin: How do we get good candidates and voters engaged in local body elections?
So, guess what - according to Local Government NZ, voter turnout around the country for the local body elections has been dismal. Surprised? On Friday afternoon,...
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Mike van de Elzen: Onion tart-tatin with asparagus and fried haloumi
Onion tart-tatin with asparagus and fried haloumi Cook time: 30 minutes Prep time: 30 minutes Serves: 6 1 batch short crust 2 small red onions, peeled and sliced...
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Revealed: What replaced the classic mid-life crisis?
For decades, researchers have documented a curious pattern in happiness, where people tend to start adult life feeling relatively positive, dip into unhappiness...
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The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast: 12 October 2025
On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 12 October 2025, Kiwi Emmy nominee Melanie Lynskey is back in New Zealand for the premiere...
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'Enduring presence': Tributes rolling in following Diane Keaton's death
Hollywood superstar Diane Keaton is being remembered for a legendary career spanning decades. A family spokesperson told People magazine the 79-year-old has died...
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Local elections 2025: Results rolling in, Dunedin race remains tight
Results from this weekend's local elections are still rolling in, with some races still too close to call. But Auckland's Wayne Brown and Christchurch's Phil Mauger...
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'Grateful': Tim Macindoe confirmed as Hamilton’s new mayor
Former Hamilton West MP and current Hamilton city councillor Tim Macindoe's won the mayoral race in Hamilton. He's committed to bringing down wasteful spending and...
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'Humbled': Christchurch mayor acknowledges voting margin after winning second term
Re-elected mayor Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger is calling for a rethink to local election voting systems. Mauger says he's humbled by the margin of his victory...
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'Very pleased with the result': Andrew Little outlines priorities after winning Wellington mayoralty
Andrew Little is laying out his priorities as he takes the Wellington mayoral chains. He won a landslide in the capital, getting more than 34,000 votes. His nearest...
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'Making progress': Wayne Brown outlines commitments after winning second term as mayor
Wayne Brown says his second term will see the continuation of cutting wasteful spending. He surged to victory, scoring 90,000 more votes than nearest opponent Kerrin...
