https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/rss NZME Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:14:12 Z en https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-we-have-been-reluctant-to-legislate-in-new-zealand-against-terrorism/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-we-have-been-reluctant-to-legislate-in-new-zealand-against-terrorism/ When I read the comments from a witness who was just meters away from Friday’s dreadful terror attack at New Lynn’s Countdown, I just wanted to give her a hug. Sun, 05 Sept 2021 04:05:33 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-help-for-cricketers-in-india-exposes-governments-shortcomings/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-help-for-cricketers-in-india-exposes-governments-shortcomings/ This week there has been a lot of attention on New Zealand cricketers playing in the India’s suspended IPL and their plight to get home or to England for the up-coming two test tour. Sun, 09 May 2021 00:35:53 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-covid-is-still-rampant-overseas-why-arent-more-of-us-using-the-tracer-app/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-covid-is-still-rampant-overseas-why-arent-more-of-us-using-the-tracer-app/ I feel for Uppkar Kashyap, one of the Kiwis stuck in India trying to get home to his young family in New Zealand. Sat, 01 May 2021 22:16:02 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-health-system-reform-a-radical-and-necessary-move/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-health-system-reform-a-radical-and-necessary-move/ It’s been a big week. Sat, 24 Apr 2021 21:51:24 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-latest-border-ineptitude-dulls-travel-bubbles-shine/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-latest-border-ineptitude-dulls-travel-bubbles-shine/ Tonight, at 11.59, the Trans-Tasman bubble officially begins. Sat, 17 Apr 2021 22:36:04 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-let-s-appreciate-how-good-we-have-it-in-new-zealand/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-let-s-appreciate-how-good-we-have-it-in-new-zealand/ Over the last week, I’ve been put in my place a couple of times. Just gently – and yet powerfully enough to shift my perspective. Sat, 03 Apr 2021 21:54:03 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-government-needs-to-listen-to-health-experts-as-ed-crisis-worsens/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-government-needs-to-listen-to-health-experts-as-ed-crisis-worsens/ Headlines over the last few days have highlighted the challenges hospital emergency departments are facing across the country. Sat, 27 Mar 2021 23:31:33 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-a-chance-for-the-government-to-sort-out-border-exemptions/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-a-chance-for-the-government-to-sort-out-border-exemptions/ In a big news week, we still had time to get upset about lions and Wiggles. Sat, 20 Mar 2021 23:31:27 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-government-moving-at-a-snails-pace-in-dealing-with-the-pandemic/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-government-moving-at-a-snails-pace-in-dealing-with-the-pandemic/ This week I have been reading Liftoff: Elon Musk and the Desperate Early Days That Launched SpaceX by Eric Berger. Sat, 13 Mar 2021 21:52:51 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-what-effect-has-lockdown-had-on-education/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-what-effect-has-lockdown-had-on-education/ As Aucklanders slipped back into their second level 3 lock down in two weeks, and the rest of the country into Level 2, once again our hearts went out to those in hospitality and events industries, to retailers, and businesses unable to operate, to those who have important medical appointments or weddings postponed.   Sat, 06 Mar 2021 23:18:02 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-we-should-be-reassured-by-our-latest-lockdown-response/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-we-should-be-reassured-by-our-latest-lockdown-response/ A headline on the front page of the Herald yesterday read V-Day. A reference to the first day of vaccinations, and an obvious referenced to another V-Day or VE Day. Sat, 20 Feb 2021 23:08:01 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-no-end-in-sight-for-tourism-industry-woes/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-no-end-in-sight-for-tourism-industry-woes/ I had an incredible experience last Tuesday. I went off on my own and did the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, which is one of the most popular day walks in New Zealand. Sat, 06 Feb 2021 23:01:00 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/tim-beveridge-government-seems-preoccupied-by-optics/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/tim-beveridge-government-seems-preoccupied-by-optics/ It's been an interesting week, hasn't it? But a bit of a bad week for the government on one of its core values. Sun, 31 Jan 2021 23:15:01 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-is-it-time-we-slow-the-flow-at-the-border/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-is-it-time-we-slow-the-flow-at-the-border/ The Wiggles hit the news this week. Turns out they had a few issues with their visa application, and by the time it was granted, there were no more MIQ vouchers left for the children’s entertainers, meaning, the Wiggles might not make their tour dates. Sat, 23 Jan 2021 23:04:08 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-kiwis-ending-the-year-with-a-spring-in-our-step/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-kiwis-ending-the-year-with-a-spring-in-our-step/ So this is our final show of the year, and what a year it’s been. Sun, 20 Dec 2020 06:17:13 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-government-needs-to-make-trans-tasman-bubble-a-priority/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-government-needs-to-make-trans-tasman-bubble-a-priority/ In May, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern revealed that a Trans-Tasman bubble with Australia could realistically be in place by September. Sat, 12 Dec 2020 21:16:29 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-worksafe-seems-heavy-handed-in-white-island-charges/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-worksafe-seems-heavy-handed-in-white-island-charges/ On Monday, WorkSafe New Zealand filed charges against 13 parties in relation to the Whakaari/White Island eruption on December 9th last year, which tragically killed 22 people, and left 25 others with severe life altering injuries. Sat, 05 Dec 2020 21:04:56 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-no-reason-for-tourism-minister-to-start-bashing-tourists/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-no-reason-for-tourism-minister-to-start-bashing-tourists/ Next Friday, I’m lucky enough to be taking a few days off, and with a group of girlfriends, I'm heading to Karamea to fast-pack the Heaphy Track. We go on an adventure like this each year - it’s our version of a girl’s weekend. Some people go shopping, others treat themselves to a fancy hotel, but on the last weekend in November, my mates and I go bush to run, walk, laugh, and be awed by our nation’s beauty on an iconic New Zealand track. Sat, 21 Nov 2020 21:22:47 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-referendum-results-have-massive-consequences/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-referendum-results-have-massive-consequences/ On Friday the provisional results of our two referendums were announced - 65.2 percent of us overwhelmingly supporting the End of Life Choice referendum, with 53.1 percent saying no to the Cannabis Legalisation and Control referendum. Sat, 31 Oct 2020 21:06:31 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-greenhithe-bakery-sets-restrictions-independently-after-positive-case/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-greenhithe-bakery-sets-restrictions-independently-after-positive-case/ I would like to take a moment this morning to say thank you to Baked@Greenhithe, the Bakery who this week put themselves back into level three essentially, after a Covid-19 infected man spent more than three hours at a popular local tavern last Friday night. Sat, 24 Oct 2020 21:33:19 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-declining-border-exemptions-doesnt-show-kindness/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-declining-border-exemptions-doesnt-show-kindness/ Yesterday I had a moment when I almost screamed; what is this blimming pandemic doing to us? What kind of people are we becoming? Sat, 10 Oct 2020 21:25:20 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-trans-tasman-travel-bubble-announcement-very-modest/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-trans-tasman-travel-bubble-announcement-very-modest/ Australia announced a one-way trans-Tasman travel bubble this week. Or the TTTB, as I’m calling it these days. Sat, 03 Oct 2020 21:24:09 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-political-parties-lacking-policy-on-fixing-our-healthcare-system/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-political-parties-lacking-policy-on-fixing-our-healthcare-system/ As the two major parties in the New Zealand election continue to argue over their accounting and budgeting skills, I can’t help but get more and more concerned about plans to get our health system back on track. Sat, 26 Sept 2020 21:05:24 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-national-finally-gives-us-an-election-choice/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-national-finally-gives-us-an-election-choice/ Is it just me or has the world starting to lose its sense of humour just a little? Sat, 19 Sept 2020 22:01:23 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-labour-and-national-seem-afraid-to-rock-the-boat/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-labour-and-national-seem-afraid-to-rock-the-boat/ As we come to the end of the first week of the campaign trial for 2020, I’m wondering, how much you noticed and how much you cared. Sun, 13 Sept 2020 00:35:08 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-government-needs-to-give-ncea-students-a-break/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-government-needs-to-give-ncea-students-a-break/ As students returned to school in the Auckland region this week, those in years 11 to 13 who are participating in NCEA, voiced their concern at how the year is playing out. Sat, 05 Sept 2020 22:16:49 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-we-have-to-accept-there-s-no-perfect-response-to-covid/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-we-have-to-accept-there-s-no-perfect-response-to-covid/ Six months ago this week, Covid 19 landed in New Zealand. Sat, 29 Aug 2020 22:13:18 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-government-should-step-in-over-latest-nurses-pay-dispute/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-government-should-step-in-over-latest-nurses-pay-dispute/ I wasn’t at all surprised this week to hear the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) confirm that thousands of nurses working at medical centres across New Zealand will strike on September 3rd. Sat, 22 Aug 2020 22:17:12 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-weve-adapted-to-covid-why-cant-politicans/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-weve-adapted-to-covid-why-cant-politicans/ There was quite a bit going on this week, so the Prime Minister deferred the dissolution of Parliament to Monday. Not a surprise really. Who could know what else would happen this week? Sat, 15 Aug 2020 22:43:04 Z