This week on the Sunday Panel, TV producer and journalist Irene Gardiner and Freebairn and Hehir Lawyers partner Liam Hehir joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!

ZB host Heather du Plessis-Allan has accused Finance Minister Nicola Willis of overspending in the 2024 Budget - do we agree? Were the tax cuts the right call during a tough economic climate?

Former President Donald Trump has been found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up payments to adult entertainer Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. How can America justify having a presidential candidate with these convictions?  

LISTEN ABOVE

This week on the Sunday Panel, TV producer and journalist Irene Gardiner and Freebairn and Hehir Lawyers partner Liam Hehir joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!
ZB host Heather du Plessis-Allan has accused Finance Minister Nicola Willis of overspending in the 2024 Budget - do we agree? Were the tax cuts the right call during a tough economic climate?
Former President Donald Trump has been found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up payments to adult entertainer Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. How can America justify having a presidential candidate with these convictions?  
LISTEN ABOVE

News, opinion, analysis, lifestyle and entertainment – we’ve got your Sunday morning listening covered with The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin on Newstalk ZB.

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

The Sunday Panel: Did the 2024 Budget go too far?

Dominic Hoey's been regarded by many as a champion of the underdogs - and his latest coming-of-age story is no exception.

1985 tells the story of Obi, a child growing up surrounded by poverty in a dysfunctional family, who goes on an adventure to save the family home. 

It's since been touted as a future New Zealand classic - with Dominic described as one of the best natural writers in the country. 

"When you're talking about poverty and crime and violence and all the things that populate my books for some reason - I think it's important to make people laugh as well." 

LISTEN ABOVE

Dominic Hoey's been regarded by many as a champion of the underdogs - and his latest coming-of-age story is no exception.
1985 tells the story of Obi, a child growing up surrounded by poverty in a dysfunctional family, who goes on an adventure to save the family home.&nbsp;
It's since been touted as a future New Zealand classic - with Dominic described as one of the best natural writers in the country.&nbsp;
"When you're talking about poverty and crime and violence and all the things that populate my books for some reason - I think it's important to make people laugh as well."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Dominic Hoey: Kiwi author opens up about new book '1985'

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/88070f77-7448-4f7a-930c-b2e1001de3b7/transcript

It's been a memorable 2025 for Kiwi country star Kaylee Bell, and she's got even more to look forward to.

She's played a music festival, she's done a collab with the Wiggles - and she welcomed her first child earlier in the year.

Bell says it's been 'awesome' seeing country music surge in New Zealand - and hearing her hits resound with Kiwi fans ahead of the Aotearoa Music Awards.

"It's just a celebration of the last few years - of just seeing this rise of country music and my career here in New Zealand, which is so important to me, it's where it all began."

LISTEN ABOVE

It's been a memorable 2025 for Kiwi country star Kaylee Bell, and she's got even more to look forward to.
She's played a music festival, she's done a collab with the Wiggles - and she welcomed her first child earlier in the year.
Bell says it's been 'awesome' seeing country music surge in New Zealand - and hearing her hits resound with Kiwi fans ahead of the Aotearoa Music Awards.
"It's just a celebration of the last few years - of just seeing this rise of country music and my career here in New Zealand, which is so important to me, it's where it all began."
LISTEN ABOVE

Kaylee Bell: Kiwi country star talks industry success and motherhood

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/07354861-6b5f-4c21-8b00-b2e100179ce8/transcript

The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong. This is the story of Hai, a Vietnamese immigrant to America where he lives in the town of East Gladness, Connecticut where, at the most difficult moment of his life he’s befriended by Grazina, an 82 year old Lithuanian widow. They become each other’s support person, an unlikely pairing but each of them living lives so far away from the promised American Dream. It’s a masterly portrait of life for the underdog, from a world that the author clearly knows well. His previous book, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, was widely applauded and positively reviewed.

The Warrior by Christopher Clarey. The subject of this book is Rafa Nadal, with a terrific and very familiar image of him on the cover. The author wrote a previous book called The Master, about Roger Federer, and has covered tennis for many years, having unprecedented access to these top players. It covers Rafa’s life from the time he first held a racquet, all the way through to his decision to retire and everything that happened in between. Perfect for followers of tennis, and fans of Nadal. 

LISTEN ABOVE

The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong. This is the story of Hai, a Vietnamese immigrant to America where he lives in the town of East Gladness, Connecticut where, at the most difficult moment of his life he’s befriended by Grazina, an 82 year old Lithuanian widow. They become each other’s support person, an unlikely pairing but each of them living lives so far away from the promised American Dream. It’s a masterly portrait of life for the underdog, from a world that the author clearly knows well. His previous book, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, was widely applauded and positively reviewed.
The Warrior by Christopher Clarey. The subject of this book is Rafa Nadal, with a terrific and very familiar image of him on the cover. The author wrote a previous book called The Master, about Roger Federer, and has covered tennis for many years, having unprecedented access to these top players. It covers Rafa’s life from the time he first held a racquet, all the way through to his decision to retire and everything that happened in between. Perfect for followers of tennis, and fans of Nadal.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Whitcoulls Recommends: The Emperor of Gladness and The Warrior

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6ba3951e-f28a-4987-91b4-b2e100130edd/transcript

The Sunday Panel: Did the 2024 Budget go too far?

In 1 playlist(s)

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips