Francesca Rudkin: Why are we in such a retail frenzy?

Audio file  FR EDITORIAL 301125.mp3    Transcript  So, did you get yourself a bargain on Black Friday or some kind of good deal in the last 10 days that may also be associated with a Black Friday? I've done quite a bit of Christmas shopping this weekend, most of it online through Kiwi retailers…

Barnaby Wier: 'The Black Seeds' frontman talks ahead of Synthony festival

The hugely popular Synthony Festival is going ahead at the end of March.  Synthony has taken off over the last few years – with the 2025 festival selling out and 40,000 people attending.  2026 will be the first Synthony Festival for The Black Seeds – and their front man Barnaby Weir told Francesc…

Erin O'Hara: Wellness expert discusses 'Sleepmaxxing' trend

A social media trend called 'Sleepmaxxing' involving elaborate routines and hacks to maximize sleep quality and quantity, has been growing in popularity.  Social media wellness content is giving advice about sleep - how to get more of it; how to improve it; how to measure whether you’re getting qu…

Full Show Podcast: 30 November 2025

On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 30 November 2025, there's Oscars buzz around Russell Crowe for his portrayal of Hitlers right hand man in new film Nuremberg.  This week Russell tells Francesca why he's not interested in another Academy Award. Over the last …

Mike van de Elzen: Christmas platters for the holiday season

Chili pickled vegetables  Cook time: 5 minutes  Prep time: 10 minutes  Serves: 12    Pickled vegetables can include:   Carrots, fennel, baby beetroot, radish, red onions, cucumbers or red cabbage     1 tbsp fennel seeds  1 tbsp coriander seeds   2 fresh chili, sliced   2 bay leaves   1 …

Dr. Michelle Dickinson: New study reveals we don't reach adulthood until our 30s

We often think of brain development as something that happens in childhood, stabilises in adulthood, and then gradually declines.  However new research published in the journal Nature Communications suggests our brains actually move through five distinct eras, each with its own strengths, vulnerab…

Steve Newall: Flicks.co.nz editor reviews the third 'Knives Out' movie

'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' - the third instalment in the 'Knives Out' series has received a positive review from Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall.  He told Francesca Rudkin that the film is, 'really humour laced, really strong performances, and the sort of film as well that I think r…

Russell Crowe: Hollywood A-Lister discusses historic upcoming movie

Kiwi born Hollywood star Russell Crowe has played many intense roles in his career.  But his latest might be his most intense yet.  Heading back to world war 2, Russell plays Hitlers right hand man Hermann Goring in ‘Nuremberg’, the film focusing on the duel between psychologist Douglas Kelley an…

Melissa Stokes: New 6pm bulletin anchor shares her thoughts ahead of tonight's first show

A new era begins for TVNZ’s 6pm bulletin tonight.  After almost 20 years in the 6pm chair, Simon Dallow read his last bulletin on Friday. His replacement starts tonight, with Melissa Stokes promoted to the 6pm duties.  Stokes told Francesca Rudkin that she is nervous but prepared for the step up.…

Irene King: Aviation Commentator discusses global Airbus A320 shutdown

Major disruptions yesterday as airlines around the world had to ground their Airbus A320 aircraft.  Many travellers were left stranded after Airbus ordered immediate software fixes for 6000 of its A320s.  Aviation Commentator Irene King says that New Zealand is lucky to be a smaller country, as i…