The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

Kiwi chef Al Brown is well-regarded as one of New Zealand's top foodies, and he's back with a new book for novice fishermen.

Fans of Al’s work will have seen his love of all things fish in his many cookbooks, restaurants and TV shows, and his book Hooked: Learning to Fish aims to teach Kiwis a thing or two.

He says he has a massive love of fishing and lots of positive memories around fishing - and he used that insight to help craft...

Fulfillment by Lee Cole. Two half brothers lead very different lives. When they converge on their mother’s home in rural Kentucky, the rivalry between them intensifies with potentially terrifying consequences. This is a story about class, privilege, family, brotherhood and ordinary people living ordinary, messy lives - and what it takes to find fulfilment.

All the Way to the River by Elizabeth Gilbert - who is of course the author ...

Destination Facebook groups are a useful tool to utilise while travelling - and they can help you be better prepared in the face of disaster.

Between natural disasters, adverse weather conditions or mosquito outbreaks, online communities can be useful to get perspective from the locals to prepare for all kinds of scenarios.

BloggerAtLarge writer Megan Singleton explained further - read more about it here.

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It’s been a sad week. Humanity has not been at its best.

A police officer almost lost his life and we got a glimpse into the harsh reality of life in the bush for three young children. A conservative activist lost his life practicing politics in the US. And a trial begun here against a mother who is alleged to have killed her children, drugging them and then placing them in a suitcase and leaving them at a storage unit.  

And ...

On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 14 September 2025, celebrity chef Al Brown might just be one of our keenest fisherman, he joins Francesca to talk about his life long love of fishing and how to best prepare your catch.

Two of our arts greats, Dame Gaylene Preston and Dame Robin White have joined forces, they join Francesca to talk about their friendship and that new film.

Washington DC Bureau...

This week on The Sunday Panel, managing director of 818, Chris Henry and journalist and editor, Jo McCarroll, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! 

How concerned are we about the growing political violence in America fo...

More and more people are looking into living longer and staying healthier, with the longevity movement encouraging individuals to take control of their health.

People can be driven by a fear of becoming dependent or losing bodily function and appearance, and they're aiming to treat symptoms of aging through  lifestyle changes, supplements, and medical advancements.

Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explains the benefi...

Mike van de Elzen: Chorizo paella with green chili and coriander 

Cook time: 45 minutes 

Prep time: 5 minutes 

Serves: 6

2 tbsp sunflower oil  

1 white onion, peeled and diced  

3 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed  

2 chorizo sausage, sliced  

1/2 tsp smoked paprika  

1/2 cup red wine  

1 1/2 cups long grain rice  

3-4 cups vegetable stock  

2 tsp tomato puree

1/2 tsp ...

Imagine walking through a peaceful forest, listening to birdsong, or watching the waves roll in on a sunny beach. Now imagine doing all of that without ever leaving your chair. 

New research published in the American Journal of Health Behaviour took a group of older adults living with dementia and gave them this experience in a study exploring the benefits of virtual reality. 

The study looked at how nature-themed virtual...

The 77th annual Primetime Emmy Awards are set to take place tomorrow, with many top TV shows up for an award.

Apple TV+ could be in for some big wins, with Severance and The Studio among the leading contenders for an award.

The White Lotus, The Bear and The Last of Us are also among the favourites to win.

Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall unpacked the nominees ahead of the upcoming ceremony.

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A new youth-focused arts festival is set to debut in Auckland next week - and run until the 28th of September.

We The Young is Auckland Live's first attempt at creating  a festival specifically geared to a youth audience and it aims to make the arts more accessible for young people and their families.

One artist involved in the festival is Rutene Spooner and he says the event will be 'something special'.

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Te Pāti Māori MP Tākuta Ferris is standing by his controversial social media comments, according to recent reports.

Ferris posted a video this week defending a previous post saying it was unacceptable for people of other ethnicities to campaign to take a Māori seat from Māori.

NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan says this has caused some tension within the party, as some fellow MPs have raised concerns about these comments.

...

Last night was a big one for New Zealand sport, but it didn't quite go the way many Kiwi fans were hoping.

The Warriors' NRL finals hopes were dashed after their 24-8 loss to the Panthers and the All Blacks suffered a historic 43-10 loss to the Springboks in Wellington.

In better news, the Black Ferns are into the semi-finals at the women's Rugby World Cup after beating out South Africa.

Sky Sport commentator Jeff McTainsh says the...

The Governor of Utah is calling for calm, following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The 31-year-old was killed while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University on Thursday.

The alleged killer 22-year-old Tyler Robinson is now in custody.

Governor Spencer Cox says the U.S must end a chapter of violent division.

The Guardian's David Smith says Cox's voice adds to others all calling for unity.

"These rema...

Historian Andrew Lownie has written a new book designed to be the final nail in the coffin of Prince Andrew.

Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York is the result of four years of research and interviews by Lownie and it aims to examine the lives of Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.

He says the book also addresses the whole royal institution, including the way Andrew's various scandals were handled.

"The fact i...

After 15 years, Downton Abbey is set to come to an end.

It's taken six seasons, 52 episodes and two films - but this week the third film, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, hits cinemas and spells the final chapter for the worldwide phenomenon. 

Ahead of the release, three long time cast members, Laura Carmichael, Michelle...

Buckeye by Patrick Ryan. This is set in a small Ohio town at the very end of WW2 when two people become caught up in victory celebrations and have a brief romantic encounter, which results in complications which haunt them down through generations. As secrets are exposed some people find that things are not what they had seemed, and that the world they thought they knew was in fact a lie. I loved this book. 

Saving Elli by Dou...

Megan recently tried to fly to Hawke's Bay, but her travel plans ground to a halt after rolling sea fog stopped the flight in its tracks.

Air New Zealand requested that the passengers line up and get booked on new flights, but Megan checked on her Air NZ app and found a way forward - on a flight that left later that day.

She revealed her latest travel hack - so everyone else could be prepared.

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This week on the Sunday Panel, journalist and TV producer Irene Gardiner and Partner at Freebairn and Hehir Lawyers, Liam Hehir, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!

The Auckland by-election had a noticeably low voter turnout - should we be concerned about this? Is the...