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
Richard Burton was a global icon best remembered for his memorable film roles and his passionate - and drama-filled - romance with Elizabeth Taylor, but a new release reveals where it all began.
The new biopic Mr Burton will be out in theatres next week and it tells the story of Richard Burton's tumultuous early life - and the school teacher who helped propel him to global stardom.
Kate Burton, daughter of Richard Burton and ...
Kiwi musician and comedian Bret McKenzie, best known for his work with Flight of the Conchords, is set to release his second album next week.
Freak Out City is a follow-up to his 2022 solo project Songs Without Jokes.
The lead off single is All I Need, and Bret McKenzie says it's inspired by his long-term relationship with his wife, Hannah.
"It's funny, when you've been in a relationship that long, there are some days whe...
Summer Island by Kristin Hannah: Kristin Hannah is the author of several extremely popular books, including The Nightingale and The Women. They’re historical fiction, but this one is contemporary - about a broken mother and daughter relationship. Nora Bridge is a nationally syndicated talk show host who dispenses moral and spiritual advice to her legion of listeners, and whose daughter Ruby is a wannabe stand up comedienne, using h...
Japan is making significant changes to its tourism landscape, with new measures taking effect by late 2026.
Japan will end tax-free shopping benefits for foreign visitors, estabish dual pricing and establish visitor caps at popular tourist spots.
BloggerAtLarge's Megan Singleton explains further - and reveals whether these will make a dent in Japan's tourism figures.
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This week on the Sunday Panel, broadcaster and journalist Wilhelmina Shrimpton and director at Capital NZ, Ben Thomas, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of...
Consuming more fibre can be good for your health, but is TikTok's new FibreMaxxing trend the safest way to go about it?
FibreMaxxing encourages people to load their diets up with extra fibre, but experts have voiced concerns that consuming too much could lead to harmful effects.
Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explains further.
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On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 10th August 2025, Flight of the Conchords star Bret McKenzie speaks ahead of the release of his new solo album Freak Out City. He talks about writing for movies and inheriting 50 race horses.
Actress Kate Burton is the daughter of global screen star Richard Burton, she tells Francesca why the latest biopic of her father is the first she's endorsed.
Labou...
Pea and ham soup with cheesy toast
Cook time: 60 minutes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Serves: 6
1 smoked pork hock
1 carrot, peeled and quartered
1 onion, peeled and quartered
2 bay leaves
1 ltr chicken stock
1 ltr water
2 cup green lentils
½ tsp Salt
¼ tsp white pepper
Gruyere toast
8 slices ciabatta
4 tbsp Dijon mustard
10...
Did you know that the humble potato owes its very existence, and its global success as a food staple to an ancient genetic mash-up?
A recent study in the journal Cell of over 100 wild and cultivated potato genomes has revealed a fascinating secret about the potato family tree.
The beloved spud and its 107 wild relatives all belong to a plant group called Petota. What sets Petota apart is its ability to grow undergr...
2025 is a big year for Jane Austen fans, as it marks 250 years since the English novelist's birth.
A line up of events have been taking place throughout the year - but also coinciding with the anniversary is a French Austen-esque rom com.
The film is called Jane Austen Wrecked My Life and it tells the story of struggling writer Agathe, played by Camille Rutherford.
"She doesn't care and I like that about her. She's also...
The new 2025 mystery horror film Weapons is out in theatres, meaning film fans will finally get a chance to unravel what was happening in the trailers.
The film's premise involves seventeen children from the same classroom mysteriously running away on the same night.
Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall explains further - without getting into the film's biggest spoilers.
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The SPCA is riding the tail of a global cat film sensation.
CatVideoFest is a 75-minute compilation of small felines doing silly things.
It's reached our cinemas and a portion of money from screenings goes to the SPCA.
It was founded in the US and has benefited charities in North America and Europe - before making its way to Australia and New Zealand.
Director Will Braden says there's something special about the product.
"The chari...
The Greens claim they're leading the opposition, while they push a radical tax shakeup.
The Party's AGM continues in the capital today, which kicked off with a rally from co-leader Marama Davidson yesterday.
NZ Herald political reporter Jamie Ensor explained that Chlöe Swarbrick was due to speak today.
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Israeli protestors have taken to the streets of Tel Aviv angry over the Israeli Government's plan to occupy Gaza City.
Latest opinion polls show around 70 percent of people in Israel oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan for military control in Gaza City.
World leaders have condemned Israel's take-over plan and an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council is due to be held in New York tomorrow.
Israeli journalist Gideo...
Labour's leader believes lessons can be learnt from a lack of communication from his party on NCEA changes.
Education Minister Erica Stanford reached out to Labour's education spokeswoman Willow-Jean Prime at least three times, asking for her input on the changes but she failed to respond.
Following the announcement, Labour criticised the Government's minimal cross party consultation.
Leader Chris Hipkins says Willow-Je...
When it comes to politics, a pet peeve of mine is opposition members of Parliament who seemingly do little for 3 or 6 or 9 years and then come into power and seem baffled as to what they intend to do with the portfolio they are now in charge of.
And this applies to all parties - anyone in opposition. Heading into an election, I find myself wondering what on earth some politicians have done with their 3 plus previous years in...
Dr Rachel Clarke is a palliative care doctor with the NHS in the UK, and she's utilised her experience to write several books about the medical industry.
Her bestselling book Breathtaking inspired a tv show and her latest book The Story of a Heart recently won the 2025 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction.
The Story of a Heart centres on 9-year-olds Max and Keira, and it has been described as story of grief and hope and compassion.
"I cam...
The Girl with the Suitcase by Lesley Pearse. Mary and Elizabeth meet in London during WW2, and soon after find themselves in an air raid shelter where they’re hit by a bomb, and Elizabeth dies. The hospital staff mistake their identities and give her possessions to Mary, which offers her the chance for total reinvention and a whole new life. This is classic Lesley Pearse - a strong female lead, with tragedy and heartbreak in her pa...
Every day, thousands of items are confiscated from travellers everywhere, meaning it's important to remember what you can and can't pack before your next flight.
Weapons and explosives are obviously a no-go, but there's plenty of lists to consult about what you can pack in your checked bag - and what has to stay in your carry-on.
BloggerAtLarge writer Megan Singleton explains further - and reveals what can happen if you don't pack ...
This week on the Sunday Panel NZ Herald senior writer, Simon Wilson, and Resident Economist at Opes Partners, Ed McKnight, joined in on a discussion about the following issue...
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