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PODCAST

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.

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All Episodes

4:56

Michelle Dickinson: nanotechnologist on the new...

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin ·

2026/01/31

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 sleep. A new study published in Nature Communications tracked

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6:04

Chris Henry: 818 director on Helena Bonham Carter...

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin ·

2026/01/31

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. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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5:12

Murray Crane: Crane Brothers founder on the store...

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin ·

2026/01/31

As more stores across Auckland's CBD close their doors for good, Crane Brothers has reaffirmed their commitment to the area. After extending theirHigh 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 a fairly challenging time, as any business in the central city did, and the recovery has

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5:06

Azaria Howell: Newstalk ZB political reporter on...

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin ·

2026/01/31

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. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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13:54

Dr Angus Chambers: General Practice Owners'...

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin ·

2026/01/31

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 barrier', but it's unclear how long it'll take positive change to happen. "We're

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3:03

Andrew Dickens: Is Trump running a Trojan Horse to...

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin ·

2026/01/31

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 bigger ambition. It’s become a new international club led by the United

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13:56

Liv Mackay: Black Foils strategist on the impact of...

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin ·

2026/01/25

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 boatin the opening race has left themwithsignificant boat damage and in negative points ahead of the Auckland event in under three weeks. Black Foils strategist Liv Mackay says the boat is getting repaired ahead of the event, and the team should be back on the water in time. "It was definitely a pretty shocking situation and definitely something that you don't take

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15:46

Nathaniel Lees and Oscar Kightley: director and...

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin ·

2026/01/25

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 called A Music Portrait of a Disabled Samoan. Oscar Kightley has

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4:37

Whitcoulls Recommends: Workhorse and Not My Type

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin ·

2026/01/24

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 more bad decisions and is prepared to do almost anything to get ahead

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117:05

Full Show Podcast: 25 January 2026

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin ·

2026/01/24

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 about Pati and why the project is so special to them. Black Foils

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5:52

Megan Singleton: BloggerAtLarge.com writer explains...

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin ·

2026/01/24

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 learning to tango in Buenos Aires. LISTEN ABOVESee

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9:03

The Sunday Panel: How has this week's weather...

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin ·

2026/01/24

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 Coromandel, Great Barrier is a mess, Northland, the East Coast. These weather

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4:40

Erin O'Hara: naturopath and wellness expert on how...

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin ·

2026/01/24

Everyone wants to make sure they're making an informed choice when it comes to staying healthy, and marketing experts know how to utilise that demand to their advantage. Marketing significantly impacts supplement choices by creating demand through increased advertising exposure, which directly correlates to higher consumption rates. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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4:19

Dr Michelle Dickinson: nanotechnologist on the traits...

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin ·

2026/01/24

What does it mean to be 'cool'? While the word can feel slippery and subjective, a new study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology suggests that people around the world largely agree on what makes someone cool - and the answer transcends culture, language and borders. According to the research, people deemed cool consistently share six personality traits, whether they live in the US, China, South Africa or Turkey. The findings suggest that modern media and global culture may have

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6:30

Steve Newall: Flicks.co.nz editor on Sinners picking...

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin ·

2026/01/24

Vampire horror movie Sinners has made Oscars history - picking up a record 16 nominations, the most ever for a single film. It beats the previous record of 14 received byAll About Eve in 1951, Titanic in 1998 and La La Land in 2018. Michael B Jordan is nominated for his starring role, alongside British actors Wunmi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo, while Jessie Buckley is tipped to win best actress forHamnet. Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall discussed the full list of nominees ahead of the March ceremony

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4:57

Ethan Griffiths: Newstalk ZB political reporter on...

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin ·

2026/01/24

Rātana has kicked off the year in New Zealand politics, as the country eyes up the November 7 election. MPs spoke at the central North Island pā site, with Labour's Chris Hipkins speaking about the importance of using Te Reo Māori. The Greens launched a Members' Bill at the event to entrench Māori seats, and it was announced the Government would invest 10 million dollars into a new Ringatū Marae complex in the Bay of Plenty. Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths says Prime Minister Chris

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8:18

Barry Shepherd: Police Senior Constable on the...

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin ·

2026/01/24

The search for those unaccounted for in the Mount Maunganui landslide has entered its fourth day - although now the operation is in a recovery phase. Six people are unaccounted for after a large slip swept through the Beachside Holiday Park at the base of the mountain. They include two Pakuranga College students who are aged 15, two 71-year-old friends from Rotorua, a 50-year-old Morrinsville school tutor, and a 20-year-old Swedish tourist. Police say it's highly unlikely any of the six are alive,

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7:06

Michael Morrah: NZ Herald reporter on the recovery...

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin ·

2026/01/24

The recovery efforts are continuing at the Mount Maunganui landslide as families and friends of the six missing victims grieve their loved ones. Those still missing include two Pakuranga College students, two 71-year-old friends from Rotorua, a Morrinsville school tutor, and a Swedish tourist. The operation has now switched from rescue to recovery. NZ Herald senior investigative reporter Michael Morrah, who's been in Mount Maunganui, says emergency crews are now moving to what's known as a

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7:59

Colleen Getley: GoGetta CEO on the rise in job...

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin ·

2026/01/24

More and more job hunters are using AI to craft their CVs, but experts are looking to warn them away from the concept. Recent research shows half of Kiwi jobseekers are using AI tools to try and find work, but the trend is proving inconvenient for recruiters - and could be damaging their chances. GoGetta CEO Colleen Getley says everyone is utilising ChatGPT and similar platforms to create their CVs, resulting in too many job applications looking the same. "You're minimising your chances of actually

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2:45

Francesca Rudkin: What a heartbreaking, devastating...

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin ·

2026/01/24

What a week. What a heartbreaking, devastating week across the North Island. The weather raged. Homes ruined. Livelihoods swept away. Communities cut off. And most tragically - lives lost. The power of Mother Nature was on show in full force, reminding us that life can change in a moment. I don’t think there is a New Zealander who hasn’t spent time over the last 3 days thinking of the grieving families and friends of those lost or missing in the weather related tragedies this week. As the weather

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3,424 results

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