The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin
News, opinion, analysis, lifestyle and entertainment – we’ve got your Sunday morning listening covered with The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin on Newstalk ZB.
Episodes
Kiwi singer-songwriter Cassie Henderson had a busy year in 2025, and she's set to keep the momentum going in the new year.
She's confirmed to play at the 2026 Synthony Festival, alongside Shapeshifter, Kaylee Bell and The Exponents next March.
She says she's also working on her own musical projects, and she's promised 2026 will be another exciting year.
"I have been in the studio all of the end of 2025 - and at the mome...
Scottish comedian Danny Bhoy is set to return to our shores again, with his latest tour taking him across both sides of the Tasman.
He's well-regarded as a master of observational comedy, and he's been a regular presence on the global comedy scene for over 25 years.
He says this tour will look at how the world has changed over the last ten years - and he's promised it'll go deeper than petty grievances.
"It's a very different feel ...
Meet The Newmans by Jennifer Niven. Del and Dinah Newman and their two sons have been the stars of a reality TV series about their family life for two decades, but in 1964 it feels as though the world is changing and America is falling out of love with them. Their on-screen lives portray a perfect family, but in reality their world is imploding and they all have secrets they’re hiding from one another. As the show limps towards its...
Dolly Parton recently revealed her new SongTeller Hotel in Nashville will be open to the public this June.
Fans can reserve their spots ahead of the opening, and pictures have been revealed - letting prospective travellers know what to expect.
BloggerAtLarge.com writer Megan Singleton explained what the hotel has on offer, including a themed bar and I Will Always Love You romance packages.
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This week on The Sunday Panel, Coast Day host Lorna Riley and broadcaster and journalist Wilhelmina O’Keeffe joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!
Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki led a group of protestors in a demonstration at Auckland CBD. Were the police right to intervene? Should we be worried about his influence?
Prime Minister Chris Luxon is set to head to Waitangi this...
On the Sunday Session with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast for Sunday 1 February 2026, Scottish comedian Danny Bhoy is a master of observational comedy, he's heading here this week and talks about pushing the boundaries of a traditional stand up show.
Cassie Henderson is a star on the rise, the Kiwi pop star talks about how she plans to top a huge year in 2025 and the impact The Voice Australia has had on her career.
There's a new exercise trend that can help improve digestion, but it comes with extra effects.
'Fart walks' are linked to improved digestion, reduced bloating and improved bowel movements.
Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explained further.
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Yogurt cheesecake with star anise plums
Cook time: 5 minutes
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serves: 6
Cheesecake
4 leaves of gelatine
250 gm cream cheese 5
00 ml yogurt plain
1 lemon, juiced
½ tsp vanilla essences
4 tbsp honey
4 cups cold water
Base
1/2 pkt digestives
1/2 pkt Biscoff biscuits
3 tbsp butter
5 plums cut in half and sto...
An upside-down jellyfish drifts gently in a shallow lagoon. At first glance, it looks like it’s just floating, but scientists have discovered something quietly astonishing - around midday, the jellyfish takes a brief nap to recover from a disturbed night.
The fact that jellyfish, which do not have a brain, are sleeping is amazing, and that discovery may completely reshape how we understand why all animals, including humans, need sl...
Chris Henry: 818 director on Helena Bonham Carter being confirmed for season four of The White Lotus
Helena Bonham Carter is the latest big name confirmed for the upcoming fourth season of The White Lotus.
She's one of three new cast members officially announced for the upcoming season, alongside Chris Messina and Marissa Long.
818 director Chris Henry revealed what we know about the upcoming season of The White Lotus so far.
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As more stores across Auckland's CBD close their doors for good, Crane Brothers has reaffirmed their commitment to the area.
After extending their High Street lease for another 25 years, founder Murray Crane recently revealed the store would expand into the space vacated by Ruby.
Crane says Covid and the subsequent economic downturn have been tough on Auckland, but it's important to control the narrative.
"We had ...
Prime Minister Chris Luxon confirmed last week that New Zealand would not be sitting on Donald Trump's newly proposed Board of Peace.
The refusal came days after the Government signalled it was considering the offer, and opposing parties have criticised the delayed response.
Newstalk ZB political reporter Azaria Howell says the $1 billion seat price was a significant sum for a country of New Zealand's size.
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More health professionals may be able to prescribe ADHD meds from the outset from today - but impacts are expected to be gradual.
From this month, trained GPs and nurse practitioners can start a patients treatment without a specialist's recommendation.
A specialist appointment can take up to a year to secure in some areas.
General Practice Owners' Association Chair Dr Angus Chambers says this ends a 'bureaucratic barrie...
I’ve been fascinated to watch Donald Trump’s Board of Peace change as time goes on.
When it was first suggested, it seemed to me to be part of a land grab by the United States. A real estate consortium whose goal was to raise finance and rebuild Gaza into a new Riviera. A gaudy Trumpist holiday city more for the rich than the dispossessed people of Gaza.
But as time has gone on, it’s transmogrified into something with far big...
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 them with significant boat damage and in negative point...
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 found success as the bass player of the Holiday Makers, but he was left tetraplegic after a fall.
He suffered years of hardship but eventually re-found his purpose as an advocate for the disabled community through his music - and he's turned his story into a stage show...
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 because she doesn’t have the pedigree, monied background and social confidence of her colleagues - she’s a workhorse, not a showhorse. It’s been compared in a lot of places to a combination of The Devil Wears Prada and The Talented Mister Ripley - as Clo makes more and mor...
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 Maunganui, head of the police search team Senior Constable Barry Shepherd shares insights into the complex search.
Kiwi Samoan screen legends Nathaniel Lees and Oscar Kightley are bringing the inspiring story of Pati Umaga to life on stage, they join Francesca to talk ab...
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 learn new skills while on vacation, allowing them to return to work feeling motivated without sacrificing relaxation time.
BloggerAtLarge.com writer Megan Singleton explained the trend further, and opened up about her experiences with learning to surf at Bondi Beach and lea...
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 issues of the day - and more!
It's been a bad week for the North Island, following the days of extreme weather. How have we felt about this week's events? How has the disaster impacted us?
Many communities, and regions in the North Island are impacted - the Co...
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