The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 26 April 2026, in 2024 mental health campaigner Jazz Thornton feared for her life when a stalker flew to New Zealand and turned up on her doorstep.  She was shocked to learn New Zealand had no laws in place to protect her.  She joins Francesca to talk her own situation and her new documentary Stalked. It's been 40 y...

This week on The Sunday Panel, Partner at Freebairn and Hehir Lawyers, Liam Hehir and Coast Day host, Lorna Riley, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Luxon's dropped the weekly TVNZ Breakfast programme - what do we make of this? Is this a smart move by Luxon here...or a misstep? Especially in an election year? It's ANZAC weekend - did the dawn service...

Mushrooms have been found to have plenty of health benefits - and they  enhance immunity and protect the brain through high levels of antioxidant compounds. They also give you a Vitamin D boost, improve gut health and have been linked to reduced cancer risk. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike's ANZAC biscuits Cook time: 20 minutes  Prep time: 5 minutes  Serves: 12 cookies  1 1/2 cups rolled oats 1/2 cup shaved coconut 1/2 cup chopped almonds 3 tbsp sunflower oil   3 tbsp honey 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/4 tsp baking soda Water if required Combine oats, coconut and almonds into a mixer   Add oil, honey, baking soda and vanilla   Mix well until combined an...

Walk through almost any neighbourhood today and you’ll see an oodle - Goldendoodles. Labradoodles. Cavapoos. Cockapoos. These 'designer dogs' have exploded in popularity, often chosen for a simple reason - they’re supposed to be easier.  Easier to train. Better with kids. A perfect blend of the 'best' traits from two breeds.  But a new scientific study suggests the reality might be a lot...

Marlon Williams, Geneva AM, Tom Scott and Jazmine Mary are among the nominees up for the 2026 Taite Music Prize. The award, named in honour of late Kiwi music journalist Dylan Taite, celebrates the best of New Zealand's musical output. Ahead of the ceremony on April 29, entertainment correspondent Steve Newall recapped the nominees. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After years of anticipation, Christchurch's new One New Zealand Stadium is finally open for business, and the city's food and drink scene is ready to reach a new audience. The stadium opened with Super Rugby Pacific’s Super Round, and one new delicacy on the menu has caught the attention of the wider public. Sunday Session investigative reporter Claire Sherwood got to try the deep-fried pie sandwi...

Some experts have raised concerns that the Government's fuel response is not proactive enough. A month ago, the Government detailed our response phases and what would trigger a move between phases - but the country remains in level one with no restrictions.  Wise Response Society chair Nathan Surendran says margins are getting eroded and the economic outlook is worsening as a result. "We shou...

The Prime Minister's pulled out of his weekly TVNZ Breakfast interview - as a row escalates between the broadcaster and the National Party. TVNZ says Chris Luxon's office informed them he'll no longer appear every Monday, and consider interviews case-by-case. Luxon will continue to appear on Newstalk ZB and RNZ.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the party's also lai...

Bowel cancer is the biggest cause of cancer deaths in Kiwis under 50, but plenty of experts have raised concerns over the current screening process. New Zealand's national screening programme doesn’t kick in until 58, and advocates are calling for more to be done to screen younger Kiwis. GP Dr Clive Price recently moved from the UK, and he's set up a screening company called Truescreen to fill the...

Well, it was a rather chaotic, eventful week in politics wasn’t it? Some actual business took place - the New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement was confirmed by Labour agreeing to support it, the Finance Minister acknowledged the economy had been disrupted by the volatility of oil prices since the Iran conflict began, and the Prime Minister took it upon himself to call for a caucus confidence vot...

Kiwi singer Tusekah's been building up a reputation as one to watch, and it seems like some other major artists have taken notice. She's supported a range of notable artists including PJ Morton, Deva Mahal, and Olivia Dean on tour. She says opening for Olivia Dean represented a lot of firsts for her, and she revealed that getting the gig was just a matter of reaching out and staying persistent.&nb...

On this day in 1943, the actions of young 28th Māori battalion solider, Lance Sergeant Haane Manahi, changed the course of World War II in North Africa. Just before midnight, Manahi led a group of soldiers up a vertical cliff to capture the Tunisian town of Takrouna from Axis powers - he took hundreds of prisoners, carried injured comrades down the mountain and protected locals from danger. ...

The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke. This is set on a remote Scottish island to which seven aspiring authors have been invited, and when they arrive find that the reclusive famous author who lives there has died, and his publisher is desperate to find someone who can write the last chapter of his unfinished manuscript. There is an enormous payday for the successful writer, but as they settle...

Megan's on another visit to New Orleans and she's found some new spots to check out. She's being checking out the local cuisine and exploring the bars - and the historic Storyville Museum. Read more about her experiences here.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Sunday Panel, TV producer, journalist, and commentator, Irene Gardiner and host of The Front Page podcast, Chelsea Daniels, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Is National in a pickle? The party underperformed in another poll and it's sparked discussions about Luxon's future as a leader. Do we see him lasting ahead of the election? Do we see...

On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 19 April 2026, today in 1943, Sergeant Haane Manahi changed the course of World War II in North America.  A film has been made about his heroic efforts, director Tearepa Kahi and lead actor Alex Tarrant tell Francesca talk about the little known soldier and why they wanted to tell his story. South African born Kiwi artis...

The standard 'dad bod' is characterised by increased abdominal fat and reduced muscle definition - and one expert has issued a warning about it. These changes typically happen due to a combination of lifestyle changes, metabolic shifts, and hormonal changes after becoming a father. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara reveals how you can can improve your health and avoid the related issues.&...

Oma's apple and rhubarb tart Cook time: 40 minutes  Prep time: 25 minutes  Serves: 6 300gm self raising flour, sifted   100gm brown sugar   1 tsp vanilla paste   Pinch salt   150gm butter   1 egg, beaten   Plain flour for rolling   Filling   1 cup raisins   3 tbsp brandy   4 tbsp warm water   3 apples   2 stalks rhubarb, peeled...

French fries are one of the world’s most beloved comfort foods, crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and hard to resist. But there’s a catch, they’re also packed with oil, which adds extra calories and is linked to health issues like obesity and high blood pressure.  New research published in the Journal of Food Science has found a way to enjoy fries with less guilt, without sacrifici...

Phil Collins, Iron Maiden, Billy Idol, Queen Latifah, Oasis, Sade and Joy Division/New Order will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, alongside first-time nominees Wu-Tang Clan and the late Luther Vandross. The nominees were voted on by more than 1,200 artists, historians and music industry professionals. Entertainment correspondent Lorna Riley recapped the full list - including the n...

Another disappointing showing in the polls has raised questions over Luxon's future as a leader. Multiple sources within the party have told our newsroom there's significant discontent with Chris Luxon's performance, coming close to boiling point before Easter.  Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths says these rumblings have been and gone, but the growing discussions show he doesn't...

Kiwi Jules Moore has claimed another international victory - in the world of gardening. Moore won gold and Best Feature Garden at the Shenzhen Flower Show, with a whopping 2.1 million people viewing her garden.  She says it was an honour even being invited to the event, given the strict criteria to get in. "I got the invitation around July, and I was asked to do something that reflected New Z...

KiwiSaver hardship withdrawals have spiked to their highest in a decade last month, amid rising fuel prices. According to the IRD, more than 5600 people withdrew their savings due to financial hardship - the second-highest amount ever since August 2016. Over 49 million dollars was withdrawn, a 12.6 percent increase from March last year. Simplicity chief economist Shamubeel Eaqub says the cost of l...

It is believed talks are set to begin in the coming days as pressure mounts on the US and Iran to reach a lasting ceasefire.  A ceasefire is in place in the region until Wednesday local time - with delegates expected to be meeting in Pakistan.  President Donald Trump says he may not extend the ceasefire if a deal isn't reached and they take hold of Iran's enriched uranium.  Iranian...