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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'Super promising': Black Foils strategist hopeful despite rough season opening
The SailGP season got underway last week, but the Black Foils didn't start out as well as they'd hoped. A collision with the Swiss boat in the opening race has left...
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Pati Umaga's story inspires new Auckland Arts Festival production
Pati Umaga was once given ultimatum by his father to become a either a church minister or a lawyer - and instead launched a career in music that changed his life. He...
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Whitcoulls Recommends: Workhorse and Not My Type
Workhorse by Caroline Palmer. This is set in a Vogue magazine-like environment, where Clodagh (Clo) Harmon is trying to make her way up the ladder, but struggles...
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Are 'skillcations' the future of travel?
There's a new trend emerging in the world of travel, and experts say it could help people recharge like never before. 'Skillcations' are designed to help people...
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The Sunday Panel: How has this week's weather impacted the nation?
This week on The Sunday Panel, Newstalk ZB host Roman Travers and host of the Prosperity Project podcast, Nadine Higgins, joined in on a discussion about the following...
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The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast: 25 January 2026
On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 25 January 2026, search crews are into their fourth day of the recovery operation at Mount...
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Erin O'Hara: How does marketing impact our health decisions?
Everyone wants to make sure they're making an informed choice when it comes to staying healthy, and marketing experts know how to utilise that demand to their advantage. Marketing...
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Mike van de Elzen: Creamed corn with wholemeal buns
Creamed corn with wholemeal buns Cook time: 30 minutes Prep time: 30 minutes Serves 6 6 x fresh corn 2 tbsp unsalted butter 2 tbsp crème fraiche salt and...
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What makes someone 'cool'? Scientists say six traits define it worldwide
What does it mean to be 'cool'? While the word can feel slippery and subjective, a new study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology suggests that...
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'Sinners' breaks all-time Oscars record with 16 nominations
Vampire horror movie Sinners has made Oscars history - picking up a record 16 nominations, the most ever for a single film. It beats the previous record of 14 received...
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Ethan Griffiths: Did Luxon make the right call in missing Rātana?
Rātana has kicked off the year in New Zealand politics, as the country eyes up the November 7 election. MPs spoke at the central North Island pā site, with Labour's...
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'It takes as long as it takes': Authorities on the ongoing recovery efforts at Mt Maunganui
The search for those unaccounted for in the Mount Maunganui landslide has entered its fourth day - although now the operation is in a recovery phase. Six people...
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'Sense of sadness': NZ Herald's Michael Morrah on the mood in Mt Maunganui
The recovery efforts are continuing at the Mount Maunganui landslide as families and friends of the six missing victims grieve their loved ones. Those still missing...
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Expert issues warning as more job hunters use AI to craft CVs
More and more job hunters are using AI to craft their CVs, but experts are looking to warn them away from the concept. Recent research shows half of Kiwi jobseekers...
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Francesca Rudkin: What a heartbreaking, devastating week for the North Island
What a week. What a heartbreaking, devastating week across the North Island. The weather raged. Homes ruined. Livelihoods swept away. Communities cut off. And...
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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...
