The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

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

October 25, 2025 7 mins

This week on The Sunday Panel, 818 director Chris Henry and host of The Prosperity Project, Nadine Higgins, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week - and more!

Netball NZ recently confirmed  Dame Noeline Taurua will return as Silver Ferns coach. What do we make of this whole saga? And do we think Taurua's return will be smooth sailing? 

Former US presidential candidate Kamala Harris has hinted she...

Mark as Played
Listen to the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 26 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.

Mark as Played

We've all faced the afternoon slump, but how can we get through it before the end of the day?

The slump refers to the dreaded post-lunch, afternoon period where you hit the wall and find it hard to stay focused and productive.

Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explains further.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played

We’ve all been told the same advice for decades: 'Eat more fibre if you’re constipated.' From breakfast cereals to bran muffins, fibre has long been the go-to remedy for getting things 'moving.' 

But new research published in two major international journals, the Journal of Human Nutrition & Dietetics and Neurogastroenterology & Motility has just turned that advice on its head. 

It turns out that while a high-fibr...

Mark as Played

Spring cola with honey, citrus and lavender 

Cook time: 5 minutes 

Prep time: 10 minutes 

Serves: 10-12 drinks

2 oranges, cut in half  

3 lemons, cut in half  

2 limes, cut in half  

2 cups water  

1 cinnamon stick  

4 star anise  

1 small knob ginger  

1 tbsp molasses  

1 tbsp instant coffee  

10 heads fresh lavender  

1/2 cup runny honey  

1 cup brown ...

Mark as Played

Pike River, the film based on the 2010 West Coast mining disaster, has officially been released. 

The film tells the story of Sonya Rockhouse and Anna Osborne’s 15-year fight for justice following the deaths of the 29 men impacted.

Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall discusses the impact of the film.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played

Since its founding in 1990, the Trees for Survival Charitable Trust has encouraged schoolkids to plant one million trees and shrubs - and it's aiming for a million more by 2030.

Through Kiwi schools, national environmental education and a restoration programme Trees for Survival has helped Kiwi kids learn more about the environment.

Trees for Survival spokesperson Sally Clegg says the charity encourages students to feel like the tr...

Mark as Played

The Prime Minister heads to Asia today, for crucial meetings on trade and the economy.

Chris Luxon's first travelling to Malaysia for the East Asia Summit and mark a milestone of 50 years of diplomatic ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths says Luxon will be meeting with other world leaders at APEC to discuss trade.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

Mark as Played

Military tensions are escalating in the Caribbean Sea, as the US deploys the world's largest warship to counter drug-traffickers.

The US says it has killed dozens of people in strikes on small vessels from Venezuela which it alleges carry 'narcotics' and 'narco-terrorists.'

But US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Venezuela's fighting back.

"The President of Venezuela, who's accusing the US of 'fabricating' this new war - but yet, ...

Mark as Played

A refreshed sense of direction for the Silver Ferns amid Dame Noeline Taurua's return as head coach.

Netball New Zealand's announced Taurua will resume her duties after the team's northern tour, with some revised operations.

The sport's national body say they've agreed to changes that support wellbeing and performance, including strengthening the player voice.

NZ Herald sports reporter Nathan Limm has labelled this situation a 'mes...

Mark as Played

Jay Ryan made a name for himself by appearing in New Zealand TV classics like Go Girls and Creamerie, Read more

Mark as Played

Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth. An elderly man is found dead by his neighbour, 81-year-old Elsie. No one suspects foul play - until they discover that in the 1950's, Elsie’s name was Mabel, and she was the youngest person in Australian history to be convicted of murder – at which point the media circus arrives on her doorstep and the police take an interest, and she decides it might finally be time to tell her story. It’s a charming r...

Mark as Played

Megan Singleton's been taking in Rarotonga, and she recently got the chance to try out a unique snorkelling experience.

She got the chance to try out sea scooter snorkelling, and she recapped her 'amazing' experience.

Read more about Megan's Rarotonga experience here. 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played

This week on the Sunday Panel, Coast day host Lorna Riley and partner at Freebairn and Hehir, Liam Hehir, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - an...

Mark as Played
October 18, 2025 116 mins
Mark as Played
October 18, 2025 4 mins

Ika Mata 

Prep time: 40 minutes 

Serves: 12

300gm firm white flesh fish  

Juice of 2 limes  

Juice of 2 lemons  

1 small red onion, diced  

1 small cucumber, diced  

2 red chilli, deseeded and diced  

1 cup spring onion, sliced flaky salt  

1 cup coriander, roughly chopped  

2 cups coconut cream

Slice the fish into 5mm cubes and place into a non-reactive container. Squeeze ...

Mark as Played

Anyone who has ever sliced an onion, knows the eye stinging feeling and watering that comes with it. 

A new study from researchers at Cornell University, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has uncovered exactly how those eye-stinging onion chemicals blast into the air and revealed a surprisingly simple way to stop them. 

Onions have long been known to release an irritant called propanethial ...

Mark as Played

Trent Dalton's made a name for himself as one of Australia's biggest authors, and he's back with something that's more personal.

He's best known for his 2018 novel, Boy Swallows Universe, which was adapted into an award-winning Netflix series last year.

His new book, Gravity Let Me Go, promises to be more auto-biographical, as it tells the story of a character in crisis as he works to tell more stories.

"It's so funny that as I'm ...

Mark as Played

There's concerns among some that sunscreen poses a risk, and the high-profile product recalls in recent months have prompted discussion.

Some believe sunscreen is toxic or linked to disease and skin cancer - and some believe it's not needed because vitamin D is good for health.

Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara debunked these concerns, and revealed how to choose the right sun-protection products.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio...

Mark as Played

Several Kiwi industry leaders and screen businesses have teamed up to officially launch Screen NZ International, an industry body designed to boost New Zealand's film industry.

The organisation aims to help New Zealand remain a competitive screen destination by building relationships with clients and promoting the country internationally.

Screen NZ International executive chair Mel Turner says the organisation wants to see New Zeal...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist

    It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.