The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

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 an...

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. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystu...

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 sp...

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. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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...

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. ...

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...

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 gr...

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, wi...

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...

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 issues of the week - and more!  The Government is set to charge tourists $20 to $40 to visit some of New Zealand's most popular outdoor spots, with a promise they'll put the money into biodiversity and infrastructure efforts....

On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 3rd August 2025, screenwriter and actress Sophie Henderson reveals the lengths she went to, to keep the doors of the Basement Theatre open, and why she's based a film on it. Dr Rachel Clarke tells the heart breaking story of organ donation that centres around 9 year olds Max and Keira. Tourists will now pay to walk some of ou...

Research indicates the weather outside plays a role on what's going on on the inside - which is why sunny weather comes with health benefits. Sunshine is linked to improved moods, better sleep, lower blood pressure, and added vitamin D. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara opens up about the benefits of sunny weather - and explains how to increase your sun exposure in the winter months. LIST...

Farm Lime Tart   Cook time: 55 minutes  Prep time: 20 minutes  Serves: 2 tarts  1 x sweet shortcrust pastry   1 egg, lightly beaten   Zest and juice of 7 limes   1 cup + 1tbsp caster sugar   500ml cream   3 eggs   3 egg yolks   Top tip: Remember when rolling out pastry, the more your pastry resembles a circle to begin with, the more likely it...

Have you ever instinctively taken a step back when someone sneezes near you on the bus? It turns out that your body may be doing more than just helping you avoid germs, it might be quietly powering up your immune system too.  In a new study published this week in Nature Neuroscience , researchers found that even the sight of someone who looks contagious can kickstart a biological response in...

The red carpet's being rolled out for New Zealand's International Film Festival. Thirty international titles direct from Cannes Film Festival in France will be showcased across the country, alongside an array of Kiwi films. Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall explains what's available - and outlined his recommendations. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi screenwriter Sophie Henderson's been behind many New Zealand-produced hits, and she's drawn on her personal experiences for her next film. Henderson's latest film - in which she also stars - made its debut at the New Zealand International Film Festival, and it's inspired by her time at Auckland’s Basement Theatre. She says Workmates was inspired by her love of locally produced New Zealand the...

The 2025 New Zealand Beer Awards recently took place, with the best in local beer being celebrated and appreciated by experts. 25 trophies were handed out - selected from 625 beers submitted from 70 different breweries. Head judge of the awards, Tina Panoutsos, has spent many years in the industry and she says New Zealand-produced beer is on par with the best in the world. "I think New Zealanders...

The Prime Minister believes the United States' tariff hike of 15 percent was a blunt and late decision. The US announced the increase for New Zealand exporters, while the UK and Australia remain at 10 percent. Trade Minister Todd McClay's been invited by his US counterpart to visit and discuss the tariffs. NZ Herald political reporter Adam Pearse says it's expected McClay will make the trip in the...

The Government's newly introduced Online Casino Gambling (OCG) Bill has been met with backlash from some on  New Zealand's leading sporting bodies. The legislation would regulate online casinos and allow them to operate in New Zealand, but concerns have been raised that the bill won't make them return community funding grants. Cycling NZ Chair Martin Snedden says this bill poses as risk to th...

The Government says it's charting a course towards more growth on conservation land.  It's upped entry fees to $40 dollars for overseas visitors looking to visit areas like Cathedral Cove, Tongariro Crossing and Aoraki Mount Cook.  Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says there was demand from Kiwis to charge foreign tourists. "Not only that, some recent international visitor surveys also...

If you’re a footballer or have a young footballer in the family there’s a chance you received an email from New Zealand Football on Friday asking you to have your say on the new Online Casino Gambling (OCG) Bill.   It’s not just New Zealand Football who are making their participants aware of how this bill could potentially impact them. 33 of our biggest sports codes have come together in an i...

In this edition of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, we hear from the iconic Helena Bonham Carter on her new movie  Four Letters of Love and how she reflects on her storied career.  And Francesca speaks with Owain Mulligan who ended up serving in the Iraq War after joining the Territorial Army as an outlet. He's told his story in the book The Accidental Soldier.  Plus Canadian band...

Dame Harriet Walter's got plenty of memorable roles under her belt, from Succession , to Ted Lasso , to Killing Eve - and now she's taking on a part like no other. She portrays former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the docuseries Brian and Maggie  and she's opened up about taking on such a challenging role. "All actors like a challenge and this was a huge, huge mountain to get over. A...

Dr Timoti Te Moke became a doctor at age 56, but it wasn't an easy road to get into medical school. Before he started at Middlemore Hospital, he endured a childhood filled with abuse, time in state care, in prison and eventually gangs.  He detailed his journey in his new book, The Unlikely Doctor, and says he wrote it to shine a light on the barriers holding Kiwis back from reaching their pot...