The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin
The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin is a Sunday morning programme from Newstalk ZB. It covers news, opinion, analysis, lifestyle and entertainment. Francesca Rudkin hosts the show.
Episodes
Alice Snedden: comedian, actress and director on her new project Break Clause
Kiwi comedian, actress and director Alice Snedden has relocated to the UK, and she's got a new project for fans to stream on Neon. Snedden's best known for the BBC show Starstruck, as well as the likes of Funny Girls, Jono and Ben, Educators and Taskmaster NZ. She says she always goes back to creating things she's going to have good time on, and her new show, Break Clause, has a relatable premise.
John Aiken: Psychologist and MAFS expert on his Lessons on Living project inspired by the late Nigel Latta
Psychologist John Aiken is best known for matchmaking and advising the contestants on Married at First Sight - but he's got a new project lined up. Lessons on Living is a three-part series inspired by the late Nigel Latta, with the original book being released last year on the day he died. John Aiken explained that he's carrying on the conversation Nigel started, and it's very di
Megan Singleton: BloggerAtLarge.com writer on the new travel ideas making headlines
There's all sorts of new and exciting ideas happening in the world of travel - and even New Zealand-made developments are getting credit. BloggerAtLarge.com writer Megan Singleton explored the benefits and opportunities that come with bigger projects like Etihad Rail and Viking's new hybrid hydrogen powered cruise ship. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Whitcoulls Recommends: American Hagwon and Partita
American Hagwon by Min Jin Lee. She wrote the wonderful book Pachinko some years ago and this is another masterpiece. John Koh is a South Korean businessman who’s badly betrayed by his boss and struggles to find another job, in the midst of the 1997 Asian financial crisis. He’s most concerned about the future of his kids, and the family move from Seoul to Sydney and then to Los Angeles looking for
The Sunday Panel: How can we encourage young people to vote?
This week on the Sunday Panel, journalist Simon Wilson and host of The Prosperity Project, Nadine Higgins, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! New data shows over a third of young Kiwis are not enrolled to vote - two weeks ahead of enrolment closing. Are we doing enough to engage young people? How important is it that we get young people enrolled and voting?
Full Show Podcast: 11 October 2026
On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 11 October, MAFS relationship expert John Aiken has taken on a new challenge. He joins Francesca to talk about bringing the last work of Nigel Latta to life in new tv show 'Lessons on Living'. Kiwi director, comedian and writer Alice Snedden is back with a new show 'Break Clause'. Alice joins Francesca to share wh
Mike van de Elzen: Frozen vegetable yellow curry with crispy pork
Frozen vegetable yellow curry with crispy pork Cook time: 60 minutes Prep time: 20 minutes Serves: 6 400gm Brined pork belly 2 tbsp sunflower oil 2 cups frozen mixed vegetable 2 cups fresh spinach leaves 1 cup of curry paste 2 can coconut cream 1 cup vegetable stock 2 tbsp brown sugar 3 tbsp thai fish sauce Juice of 2
Erin O'Hara: naturopath and wellness expert on how the Government can focus on preventative health care
The state of the health system is a big talking point in this year's election, but there's debate to be had about preventative steps as well. Despite the well-documented benefits of preventive measures, many people fail to engage in proactive preventive health behaviours - and there's also societal factors that add to declining health, like housing, income, and food systems. Naturopath
Dr Michelle Dickinson: nanotechnologist on whether walking together is the secret to a happy marriage
What if one of the simplest ways to improve your marriage wasn't couples counselling, a romantic holiday or an expensive date night, but something as ordinary as going for a walk together? New research published in the journal Family Relations suggests that couples who exercise together may communicate better, resolve disagreements more peacefully and experience less conflict in their marriag
Steve Newall: entertainment correspondent on the launch of The Celebrity Traitors UK
The Celebrity Traitors UK is back for another season - where UK stars need to guess each other's motives for a cash prize for the charity of their choosing. The first season was well-received, but what can this new season offer viewers. Entertainment correspondent Steve Newall explained further - and whether this show could be a good distraction during a busy election season. LISTEN ABOVESee omnys
Shaun Robinson: Mental Health Foundation CEO on the start of Mental Health Awareness Week
Mental Health Awareness Week is set to get underway for another year, with this year's theme being 'Belonging Matters.' More Kiwis are reporting feeling lonelier than ever, according to new data - and schools, workplaces and other communities are being encouraged to give people opportunities to connect. Mental Health Foundation CEO Shaun Robinson says economic troubles, global tension
Peter Dunne: former Minister and commentator recaps the first round of debates of the 2026 Election
The election season is well and truly under way, with the first debates of the campaign taking place last week. The cost of living, the health system and education were among some of the major issues discussed on the campaign trail. Former Minister and commentator Peter Dunne says the first leaders' debate fell 'flat' and it's still a very close race for both major parties. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystu
Jeff Wilson: former All Black and Sky Sport commentator on the All Blacks' 50-19 victory over the Wallabies
The All Blacks have ensured the Bledisloe Cup's air miles are limited for another year. The 50-19 win over the Wallabies at Eden Park has extended the run to at least 25 years between series wins for the Australians, who last defended the Cup in 2002. Former All Black and Sky Sport commentator Jeff Wilson says the Kiwi side will have learned some lessons following their string of losses to the Spr
Adriana Bird: On a Roll campaign volunteer on why more young people aren't voting
The election is a month away and enrolment is due to close in two weeks - but new data shows a significant number of eligible young Kiwis aren't enrolled. Recent data from the Electoral Commission shows only 63.4 percent of people aged between 18 and 24 are enrolled to vote, and questions have been raised. On a Roll campaign volunteer Adriana Bird says this age demographic is mo
Francesca Rudkin: What does livestreaming an execution actually achieve?
There are some crimes so horrendous that finding the right words to describe them is almost impossible. The 2009 Fort Hood shooting in Texas, in which Nidal Hasan killed 13 people and wounded 32 others, is one of them. Hasan was convicted and sentenced to death. Now, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says his execution by firing squad, scheduled for December 3, will be livestreamed so the pu
Olivier Assayas: Wizard of the Kremlin director on what the historical film can offer fans
Amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, one filmmaker has made a start on depicting history as it continues to unfold. The Wizard of the Kremlin is an adaptation of the book of the same name and it follows the political landscape of post-Soviet Russia and President Vladimir Putin's resulting rise to power. French filmmaker Olivier Assayas says making a movie about modern history com
Sir Tony Robinson: actor, author and historian on returning to New Zealand shores to tour in November
Sir Tony Robinson has made a name for himself as an actor, an author and a historian - and he's set to bring his stories to New Zealand shores for another tour. Following the success of his tour in February, he's set to bring An Audience with Sir Tony Robinson: The Regional Encore Tour across New Zealand this November. Robinson says he's looking forward to experiencing the 'variety' all of N
Whitcoulls Recommends: Stations and Nothing But the Truth
Stations by Louise Kennedy. Róisín and Red are kids in the same small Irish town, some years later meeting up again in a precarious London squat where Red has discovered booze and drugs and sidelines Róisín who has to make her own life. For 25 years they’re haunted by each other, and what might have been. Nothing But the Truth by Stuart Greive KC. With over five decades working in law, f
Full Show Podcast: 04 October 2026
Listen to the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 4 October. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Megan Singleton: BloggerAtLarge.com writer on Royal Caribbean buying a stake in resort operator Sandals
Royal Caribbean recently acquired a 50 percent stake in operator Sandals Resorts International for $3 billion. This move is aimed at expanding Royal Caribbean's land-based offerings for tourists in order to boost travel spending and give people more experiences. BloggerAtLarge.com writer Megan Singleton says this will likely lead to a mix of land and cruise-based all-inclusive experiences for tra
The Sunday Panel: Can we really regulate price gouging?
This week on the Sunday Panel, journalist and broadcaster, Wilhelmina O’Keeffe, and Coast Day host, Lorna Riley, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Green Party has announced plans to introduce an overnight rail service between Auckland and Wellington, a passenger rail between Christchurch and Dunedin, and to extend the Te Huia train route to Tauranga. D
Mike van de Elzen: Mike's CRL food and pub tour
With the recent opening of Auckland's CRL, more local pubs and restaurants will see a boost in potential visitors, and Mike's compiled his recommendations for a CRL food and drink adventure. The Waitemata station features the Queen's Rooftop Bar, the Te Waihorotiu Station is close to the Irish bar Father Teds , and for the Karanga-a-hape Station, Mike recommends the Lebanese Grocer. Maungahau Stat
Dr Michelle Dickinson: nanotechnologist on the data showing what people would save in a disaster situation
Imagine your phone suddenly flashes with an emergency alert in the middle of the night and you must leave your home immediately. What do you grab? Researchers have been investigating what people would want to take with them during a disaster as part of the Wellcome Trust-funded After the End project, which is investigating how people experience and recover from crises. 1,000 adul
Steve Newall: entertainment correspondent on the 2027 line-up for Laneway being revealed
The line-up for Laneway 2027 has been released, with Fontaines D.C., Slayyyter, Adéla and Hayley Williams set to headline. The event will take place at Auckland's Western Springs on February 21, and pre-sale tickets will be available from October 7th. Entertainment correspondent Steve Newall unpacked the full line-up, and noted this will be the first New Zealand performance for some acts. LI
Brigitte Morton: political commentator on how the recent PREFU figures impacted the election campaign
The Government books were opened up last week, and they unveil a somewhat more promising outlook ahead of the election. The Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update shows the planned 2028/29 surplus - will be nearly $2 billion dollars bigger than forecast, and the Crown will borrow less. Political commentator Brigitte Morton says the focus is now on Labour to respond to this with their own an
Carolyn Young: Retail NZ CEO on Australia banning card surcharges
Last week, Australia's ban on credit and debit card surcharges took effect, and it's sparked debate as to whether we should follow suit. National expressed interest in implementing a similar rule with the Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill, but it appears to have stalled following backlash. Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young says this ban led to Australian businesses
David Seymour: ACT Party leader on the party hoping to boost their numbers following latest poll
The 2026 election season is well under way, with ACT officially set to get their campaign going this weekend. According to the Herald's most recent Poll of Polls, ACT is on 8 percent support - but leader David Seymour isn't fazed by this figure. Seymour says they're up to 11 percent in the most recent poll, and the figures in the Poll of Polls are 'questionable' - given how Opportunity perfor
Francesca Rudkin: Are our nostalgic childhood mementos worth hanging onto?
This week I thought I would distract myself from talk of tax, fiscal holes and pledge cards by heading to Tauranga to help my parents pack in preparation for a move from a house into an apartment. I am a bit of a hoarder. Not in an unhealthy way. My hoarding is very organised - in plastic boxes and tucked out of sight - but I do hold onto things longer than is practical. Walking into my par
Joseph Moore: Kiwi comedian on his new role with Saturday Night Live UK
Kiwi comedian Joseph Moore has been working behind the scenes as a writer on many iconic TV shows like Taskmaster, 7 Days and Guy Montgomery's Guy Mont-Spelling Bee - and he's hit the big time overseas. Earlier this year, he got chosen from hundreds of applicants to write for the new Saturday Night Live UK - and he's proven popular, with his 'Pub Song' skit going viral. &n
Full Show Podcast: 27 September 2026
Listen to the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 27 September. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Whitcoulls Recommends: Hollow Bones and That Woman
Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult. This is Jodi doing what she does best. It’s the story of Molly Fitzgerald and her husband Jesse (he was a character in Jodi’s much loved book My Sister’s Keeper and there is a reference to that previous work in here, although it wouldn’t matter if you haven’t read the previous book - it’s just a nice continuation for anyone who did). Molly’s mother died in the Twin To
Megan Singleton: BloggerAtLarge.com writer on the top things to do in Rarotonga
The school holidays have gotten underway, with many Kiwis jetting off for the break. Air New Zealand has recently confirmed Rarotonga is now the most popular South Pacific destination for Kiwi travellers, and travel expert Megan Singleton has looked into why this is. She highlighted the accommodation choices, the food, the beaches and snorkelling tours - with plenty of opt
The Sunday Panel: Do we see the big debates making a difference?
This week on the Sunday Panel, Resident Economist at Opes Partners Ed McKnight and host of The Front Page Chelsea Daniels joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The election campaign has officially launched and the big Leaders Debates are due to take place - with the first one happening on Thursday October 1st. Do we see these upcoming debates changing the mind
Erin O'Hara: naturopath and wellness expert on the differences between chronological and biological age
We all want to live long and healthy lives, but there's a difference between living longer and living longer well. Biological age measures the health and functional state of your cells and tissues, reflecting how well your body is aging compared to your chronological age. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explained further, and revealed the sleep and nutrition steps to
Mike van de Elzen: Mike's chicken enchiladas
Mike's chicken enchiladas Cook time: 40 minutes Prep time: 15 minutes Serves: 4-6 4 flour tortilla wraps 3 cups shredded left over chicken 1 large onion, peeled and sliced 3 cloves garlic, crushed 1 tbsp sunflower oil 1 can black beans, drained 2 cans diced whole peeled tomatoes 2 tbsp tomato paste 1 tsp dried mixed herbs 2 tsp sm
Dr Michelle Dickinson: nanotechnologist on the idea of paying students to sleep to improve their grades
What if one of the simplest ways to improve students' grades wasn't more homework, tutoring or extra study, but instead paying them to go to bed? Research published in the Journal of Political Economy tested exactly that in an experiment involving more than 1,100 university students. The researchers offered some students US$4.75 if they managed to get at least seven hours of sleep on a
Chris Henry: entertainment correspondent on Taylor Swift releasing four new songs
Taylor Swift recently expanded The Life of a Showgirl, and dropped four new songs last Friday. The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore came with the songs Patient Zero, Cleveland!, Pink Clouding, and Babylon. Entertainment correspondent Chris Henry says these songs were recorded after the album's initial release, and there's speculation she's trying to get more attention on the project ahead of next ye
Ronan Keating: Irish singer-songwriter speaks ahead of New Zealand tour
Irish singer-songwriter and former Boyzone member Ronan Keating has launched his latest tour, and he's set to play in Auckland and Christchurch in March 2027. Since launching his music career as a 16-year-old, Ronan has 19 albums across both the band and his solo career and sold over 45 million albums. He says it's been a long time since he brought an international tour of this size and scale to l
Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on former Labour Speaker Trevor Mallard appearing on the campaign trail with Hipkins
Both major parties are kicking off their campaigns today in Auckland, with Labour and National hitting the trail to reach out to voters. Labour made an appearance at the Ōtara markets on Saturday - and a familiar face from the Ardern era made an appearance alongside Hipkins. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper said the emergence of former Labour Speaker Trevor Mallard could remi
Kieran McAnulty: Labour campaign chair speaks ahead of the party's campaign launch
The election race has gotten into full swing, with both parties set to hold their campaign launches today. Labour's event in South Auckland is set to take place this afternoon, and it's likely some new policies will be unveiled ahead of the election. Labour's campaign chair Kieran McAnulty says Chris Luxon is out of touch with the average New Zealander, and they'll be calling out the Government's
Simeon Brown: National campaign chair on the campaign season officially getting under way
The election race is officially under way, and National has revealed how they plan to address the opposition's policies. Both National and Labour are holding campaign launches today, with plenty of new announcements set to be made. National campaign chair Simeon Brown says voters should know the left-bloc wants to tax, borrow and spend more. "We cannot have a capital gains tax, a wealth tax, an in
Francesca Rudkin: Will the upcoming debates be useful for voters?
The school holidays are upon us again, the clocks changed for daylight saving this morning, and this week saw the final sitting of the House before the election. You know what that means - stump speeches are being refined, hustings are well under way as the debate comes out of the House and into the public arena. Let the entertainment - or as one Newstalk ZB listener called it this week, the non
Dame Silvia Cartwright: former NZ Governor-General on her new memoir 'That Woman'
Dame Silvia Cartwright has been a trailblazer for women in the fields of law and justice, and she's detailed her life story in a new memoir. She was one of two women studying law at Otago University in the 1960s, and went on to become New Zealand's first female High Court judge and the second woman to hold the role of Governor-General at a time when the sector was overly male. She's been on
Keala Settle: singer and actress on her upcoming performance in Sunset Boulevard at Wellington Town Hall
Actress and singer Keala Settle was launched into international stardom thanks to her role in The Greatest Showman as the bearded lady, Lettie Lutz. She sang the film's biggest hit This Is Me, which won a Golden Globe and got an Oscar nomination - and it ensured the Tony-nominated actress became a household name. Keala Settle spent a lot of time in New Zealand visiting family as she grew up,
Whitcoulls Recommends: The Pirate Queen and Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel
The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon. Fiction, based on the real life of Grace O’Malley who lived in the 16th century and gained renown as a fiercely independent woman and a fearless pirate who controlled an army of men, key maritime routes and trade in the west of Ireland. Suffering English rule, she bowed to no one and her story is extraordinary. This is by the author of The Frozen River which is on
Megan Singleton: BloggerAtLarge.com writer and travel correspondent on how to make the most of Aitutaki, Cook Islands
Travel expert Megan Singleton recently went to the Cook Islands and she's revealed how to make the most of one small island - described as 'heaven on Earth'. The tiny island of Aitutaki is about 220km north of Rarotonga, and easily accessible on a short flight from the region. Megan says you'd need three or four days on the island to see all that it has to offer - and outlined her recommenda
The Sunday Panel: Will National's supermarket policy announcement lose votes?
This week on the Sunday Panel, Partner at Freebairn and Hehir lawyers Liam Hehir and journalist, TV producer and commentator Irene Gardiner joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! National has proposed to, if elected, break up Foodstuffs in a bid to bring down food prices for Kiwi consumers. Has National made a mistake with this policy? Does this completel
Full Show Podcast: 20 September 2026
Listen to the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 20 September. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Erin O'Hara: naturopath and wellness expert on how to perfect a seasonal reset ahead of spring
September marks a big period of change, as the weather gets warmer and the days get longer. It's the perfect time to shake off the winter blues and get outdoors, especially with daylight saving due to kick in next weekend. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mike van de Elzen: Fired broccolini with grated ginger, parsley and parmesan
Fired broccolini with grated ginger, parsley and parmesan Cook time: 10 minutes Prep time: 10 minutes Serves: 4 1 pkt broccolini Flaky sea-salt 2 knobs ginger 1 cup flat leaf parsley 1 cup finely grated parmesan 4 tbsp olive oil Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil and plunge in the broccolini. Cook until just under. This will take 2 minutes. Remove and plunge int
Dr Michelle Dickinson: Nanotechnologist on whether blue water would stop you flushing the toilet
As New Zealand heads towards what could be a drier-than-usual summer, here's an unusual way we might save water - stop flushing the toilet quite so often. The old water-saving advice goes: “If it’s yellow, let it mellow.” The problem is that many of us find an unflushed toilet really unpleasant. Now researchers at the University of Surrey have investigated a surpri
Steve Newall: entertainment correspondent on the state of Ed Sheeran's tour after openers pull out
The show is set to go on - as Ed Sheeran looks to take the stage without any opening acts as his tour continues. He's set to play at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field later today, in his first show since Macklemore was dropped over his pro-Palestinian remarks onstage, and his other openers quit in protest. Entertainment correspondent Steve Newall says ticket prices have fallen significantly s
Ethan Vickery: Kai Co founder and operations director on National's bid to break up Foodstuffs
The supermarket competition debate continues on, with National indicating they'll make changes if re-elected. The party's proposing to increase competition by splitting Pak'nSave from New World and Four Square - as long as the Commerce Commission agrees. Kai Co founder and operations director Ethan Vickery says it's hard to tell how this proposed change will impact Kiwi consumers. "It's really com
Azaria Howell: Newstalk ZB political reporter on the Government rushing some new bills under urgency
Parliament unanimously passed a new law reforming building rules, with thousands of buildings no longer considered earthquake-prone under this change. Building and Construction Minister Simon Watts said this change would save building owners and the New Zealand economy $8.2 billion. Newstalk ZB political reporter unpacked the changes further - and revealed why we could be in for some interes
Dan Schnur: US political analyst explains what new Greenland security deal means for Donald Trump
The US and Denmark have announced a deal, which President Donald Trump says will grant the US permanent control over Greenland’s security. The leaders of Denmark and Greenland have welcomed the deal, but say it won't compromise the region's sovereignty. It follows months of tension over Trump’s threats to take control of the Danish territory. US political analyst Dan Schnur says this is a face-sav
Monty Betham: former Warrior ahead of the team's must-win finals clash against the Newcastle Knights
It's do or die for the Warriors this evening, as the team gears up for their elimination round against the Knights. The must-win clash will take place at a sold-out Eden Park at 6:05 PM, and excitement is brewing among Kiwi fans. Former Warrior Monty Betham says he's feeling nervous, and he knows all eyes will be on the Kiwi side as they look to move past their last loss against the Dolphins. "I t
Francesca Rudkin: Ed Sheeran was caught between a rock and a hard place
Ed Sheeran found himself between a rock and a hard place this week, with a rather uncomfortable question hanging over his US tour - can you be the nice guy who keeps politics out of your concerts while allowing someone else on your stage to talk about politics? The answer for Sheeran, after a week of intense global media pressure, having his songs removed from playing on Ireland’s biggest commerci
Whitcoulls Recommends: The Ruins and Never Say War
The Ruins by Becky Docton. This is a generational story across three decades, which begins in 1937 when a mother abandons her young girl on a Devon railway station, leaving her in the care of strangers and from which point the child is forced to navigate the rest of her life. It’s a very compelling and moving story set in a period of enormous change throughout the world. Never Say War by Asne Seie
Full Show Podcast: 13 September 2026
Listen to the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 13 September. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margo Flanagan and Rosa Power: Two Raw Sisters founders on the release of their sixth recipe book 'How We Cook'
Sisters Margo Flanagan and Rosa Power are the team behind Two Raw Sisters, and they've got a new recipe book out this week. They published their first book seven years ago and they've written five earlier cookbooks - but this one promises to be different, with over 100 recipes you're gauranteed to turn into household staples. The pair have built the brand out of utilising healthy food that
Josh Thomson: New Zealand actor and comedian on his new dark comedy-mystery series Good Bones
Kiwi comedian and actor Josh Thomson is a regular presence on New Zealand's favourite comedy panel shows - and he's got a new TV project in the works. He's also earned some international acclaim, including roles in shows like Pixar’s Win or Lose, The Office Australia, Young Rock and Time Bandits. Good Bones is a dark comedy-mystery, and it's set to drop on ThreeNow and Neon on September 17. "It's
Whitcoulls Recommends: Little Wonder and The Farm
Little Wonder by Sophie Chen Keller. Song’s son River is a musical prodigy and at the age of eleven he’s invited to study with a great master - but on the journey they become separated in the chaos of the Beijing railway station on the busiest day of the year. Over the following years, each in their own way tries to find their way back to the other as they both carve out new lives which only take
Megan Singleton: BloggerAtLarge.com writer on the risks that come with overpacking
There's plenty of risky travel mistakes we can make, but over-packing is an underlooked issue. People can risk getting back injuries by not being careful when handling their luggage, and new data from physios shows these injuries are becoming more common. Travel expert and BloggerAtLarge writer Megan Singleton outlined the risks further - and shared her own travel tips. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.
The Sunday Panel: Are we seeing enough new ideas in this election?
This week on the Sunday Panel, journalist and editor Jo McCarroll and Director at 818 Chris Henry joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week - and more! Election season is well under way - with the hoardings for various parties going up this weekend. What do we make of the campaign so far? Do the parties need to improve their strategies besides repeating slogans and attack ad
Full Show Podcast: 06 September 2026
On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 6 September, Kiwi comedian and actor Josh Thomson has had a hot run of international roles in recent years. His latest role though is a local show and Josh joins Francesca to talk about that and the demand for him overseas. Bestselling cookbook authors, Margo Flanagan and Rosa Power aka Two Raw Sisters, join Francesca to talk
Erin O'Hara: naturopath and wellness expert outlines self-care strategies for dads
There's still a stigma around men utilising self-care, with many under pressure to dedicate everything to their jobs. Between climbing the corporate ladder or pushing themselves in their own businesses to help provide for their families, the stress can take a toll on their personal wellbeing. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara unpacked the issue further - and outlined some self-care
Mike van de Elzen: Citrus roasted chicken with lentils and mint
Citrus roasted chicken with lentils and mint Cook time: 60 minutes Prep time: 15 minutes Serves: 4 6 bone-in chicken thighs 2 tbsp sunflower oil 3 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed 1/2 cup fresh oregano, destalked and chopped 2 lemons, zested and juiced 1/2 tbsp salt 1 x 400gm whole peeled tomatoes, crushed 1 tbsp fennel seeds, toas
Steve Newall: entertainment correspondent on David Byrne's new song for upcoming Elon Musk documentary
David Byrne of the Talking Heads has written a song for a 'scathing' new Elon Musk documentary - reportedly comprised of the billionaire's quotes. The new feature-length documentary, made by Alex Gibney, is out this October, and it's described as 'definitive and unvarnished examination' of the Tesla and SpaceX CEO. Musk has been quick to criticise, labelling the documentary a 'hit piece'. Entertai
Dr Michelle Dickinson: nanotechnologist on the new blood test designed to detect serious heart conditions
A 'broken heart' can look just like a heart attack, and now a new blood test may tell the difference. A broken heart isn't just an expression. Extreme emotional or physical stress can sometimes cause a genuine heart condition that looks remarkably like a heart attack. It's called Takotsubo syndrome, or 'broken heart syndrome', and it overwhelmingly affects women after menopause. Someon
Matt Johns: Pōkeno Whisky co-founder on the company being chosen for world-first climate study
Waikato distillery The Pōkeno Whisky Company has been selected for an international study into how different climates shape the maturation, chemistry and taste of whisky. The study, titled Climate-Driven Maturation Signatures in Global Whisky: A Comparative Multi-Continental Chemical and Sensory Study, examines whiskies from The 8 Continent Series - including one matured in Antarctica. Pōken
Peter Dunne: former Minister and commentator on the start of the election billboards and hoardings going up and what it means for the campaign
A former party leader says political parties need to have big bold ideas - not just slogans. Former United Future leader Peter Dunne says both National and Labour are fighting to keep their voters and trying to reach people who may be eyeing up the minor parties. He says that doesn't look to be working at the moment. Dunne says there's yet to be a standout moment from the campaign so f
Monica Schweickle: clinical psychologist on MDMA getting approval to treat PTSD in NZ
An Australian clinical psychologist says she's excited to see New Zealand following Australia in offering MDMA as a treatment option for PTSD. Medsafe has given two psychiatrists approval to prescribe the drug. Monica Schweickle says she's had the ability to use MDMA in treatment for the past three years. She says it can be a much quicker option for treatment - but it won't be g
Elliott Smith: Newstalk ZB rugby commentator on the All Blacks losing to the Springboks 29-24 in Soweto
The All Blacks are smarting physically and mentally from the 29-24 loss to the Springboks in Soweto. A shoulder injury to Ardie Savea means he won't be heading to Baltimore to attempt to level the series and Quinn Tupaea is also nursing a banged up knee. Newstalk ZB rugby commentator Elliott Smith says the there's a lot of lessons the Kiwi side can take on board from this loss - including not lett
Francesca Rudkin: There's something deeply unsatisfying about this election campaign
So on Saturday morning, driving around Auckland, the sledgehammers were all go pounding election billboards into the ground. As once neat and tidy patches of grass were being transformed into a visual assault of names and faces just waiting to be vandalized by some smartarse, I thought to myself, only 9 more weeks to go. I love elections, I love a contest of ideas, I love watching my son be
Nic Russell: writer and health advocate opens up about the hard times she's faced in new book Bollix
Irish-born Kiwi author Nic Russell has dealt with an unrelenting amount of hardship and grief - and she's turned her experiences into a book. She's survived breast cancer, she’s lost a child, had a heart transplant and been diagnosed with Parkinson's - all before the age of 50 - and that inspired Kenzie’s Gift, a charity that supports young people through times of grief. She's shared her stories i
Vea Mafile'o: film director on exploring Jonah Lomu's life in new documentary
Hundreds of family videos and years of research have gone into an intimate new documentary about rugby legend Jonah Lomu. The film draws on archive footage to tell the story of the All Black, who died 11 years ago aged 40. It follows Lomu from his time at Wesley College through his rise to the All Blacks, and the pressures that came with being in the limelight. Co-director Vea Mafile'o says
Whitcoulls Recommends: The Body and the Blood and Big Little Truths
The Body and the Blood by Molly Crighton. This is a crime thriller set in and around St Paul’s Cathedral in Dunedin’s Octagon. A woman is found on the floor beneath the organ loft - initially the police assume she’d fallen, but a young police administrator senses that something more sinister was afoot and recruits a notorious journalist to help get to the bottom of it. For people who know Dunedin
Megan Singleton: BloggerAtLarge.com writer on the risks of using airport wi-fi
About 8.7 million passengers were affected by a cyber attack on a group of airports in the UK last week. Data relating to car park, lounge and fast-track security bookings at three major airports was accessed in the hack, including passengers’ email addresses, phone numbers, vehicle registrations and postcodes. BloggerAtLarge.com writer Megan Singleton says this is a cautionary tale about the dang
Mike van de Elzen: Fresh pappardelle with lemon gremolata
Fresh pappardelle with lemon gremolata Cook time: 2-3 minutes Prep time: 15 minutes Serves: 6 1 batch fresh pasta 3 lemons 3 cloves garlic, crushed 1 cup parsley, chopped 2 tbsp grapeseed oil Sea salt Cracked pepper Good parmesan Zest the lemons and then juice into a bowl, add the oil, then add the crushed garlic and chopped parsley. Season well
The Sunday Panel: How can we enforce the teen social media ban?
This week on the Sunday Panel, Newstalk ZB Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills and host of The Prosperity Project, Nadine Higgins, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week - and more! There's calls to make changes to the health system, with General Practice New Zealand outlining a 10-year plan and calling for a bipartisan approach to make changes. Do we think these changes
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