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.
Subscribe to the Sunday Session Podcast
-
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,...
-
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...
-
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...
-
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...
-
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,...
-
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...
-
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...
-
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...
-
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...
-
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...
-
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...
-
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...
-
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...
-
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...
-
Megan Singleton: Are Christmas market cruises worth it?
Everyone loves a Christmas market, and travel expert Megan Singleton's examining an unconventional method to explore some of the best overseas. Megan's explored...
-
The Sunday Panel: Do we feel optimistic about the economy ahead of the new year?
This week on the Sunday Panel, NZ Herald senior writer Simon Wilson and Resident Economist at Opes Partners, Ed McKnight, joined in on a discussion about the following...
-
'It's been awesome': Dai Henwood talks latest projects and hosting Best Foods Comedy Gala
Comedian Dai Henwood's ticked plenty of boxes over his three decades in the business, but next May, he'll take on a new challenge and host the Best Foods Comedy...
-
The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast: 14 December 2025
On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 14 December 2025, Kiwi Hollywood actor Julian Dennison is trying out a surprise new career,...
-
2025 health trends: Separating fact from fiction
Social media and the internet is full of health advice, but what's real, practical and helpful, and what's hogwash? Many popular health habits have been exposed...
-
Mike van de Elzen: Cider, star anise and pineapple roasted Christmas ham
Cider, star anise and pineapple roasted ham Cook time: 60 minutes Prep time: 10 minutes Serves: 8-10 3kg free range cured and smoked Christmas ham 2 x 330ml...
-
Research reveals unexpected tip to stop seagulls stealing your chips
I’ve already talked this year about research that shows staring at a seagull will prevent it from stealing your chips, but as beach season starts again - here is...
-
Could Avatar: Fire and Ash be James Cameron’s last?
James Cameron’s third instalment of the hugely successful Avatar franchise could be his last. The Hollywood director's latest film - Avatar: Fire and Ash - premiered...
-
Kiwi entrepreneur reveals why new startup will help bring AI forward
New Zealander Harry Mellsop has raised US$4.3 million for his start-up, Antioch, which he says brings artificial intelligence into the physical world. He explained...
-
Ethan Griffiths: Have Willis and Richardson hit an impasse?
The war of words continues between Finance Minister Nicola Willis and former Finance Minister Ruth Richardson. Richardson - the chair of the Taxpayers' Union - has...
-
'Pretty excited': Kiwibank economist predicts economic growth for 2026
New Zealand's economy is set to expand next year, as several key indicators point to economic recovery. Kiwibank's latest bi-annual report forecasts a 2.4 percent...
-
'Not a bad plaintiff': Legal expert unpacks Reddit's case against Aussie social media ban
Reddit's launched a High Court challenge to Australia's pioneering social media ban for under-16s. The country's new law, which sets a mandatory age limit of 16...
-
Francesca Rudkin: Willis v Richardson, I'm all for it
It’s a stunt, performative politics, a farce, a side show, a distraction from the HYEFU and quarterly GDP results being released this week… goodness me, the thought...
-
The Sunday Panel: Is Andrew Coster exaggerating Mark Mitchell's knowledge of McSkimming?
This week on The Sunday Panel, Director of 818 Chris Henry, and Director of Capital Ben Thomas joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day -...
-
Megan Singleton: tips before the road-trips
As many get away for the holidays, most people forget about the simple checks before they leave home for awhile. Blogger-at-large Megan Singleton shares one of her...
-
Joan Mackenzie: the best kid’s books for Christmas
With Christmas coming around the corner, now's the time to gift a great book to someone, especially children to spark the love of reading. Joan Mackenzie shares...
