The summer holidays are getting closer, meaning more Kiwis will be leaving their offices for breaks - but research shows they might not fully disconnect.

New research shows fewer than half of New Zealand workers are fully disconnecting from the job when they’re on holiday, putting them at risk of burnout.

Massey University professor of management Dr Jarrod Haar says it's better for workers to make the most of their time off.

"It is indicative, I think, of our modern day working society that it is just so easy to check your work emails on your smartphone, even down on the beach...and that has repercussions for our wellbeing."

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There's discussion over Andrew Coster's future with the police following a bombshell report.

An IPCA report came out earlier in the week, revealing senior police staff had failed to properly investigate a complaint against then-Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming.

The report implicated Coster, as well as other senior leaders.

NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan unpacked the ongoing discussions.

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Kiwi heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker is protesting his innocence, after admitting he failed a drugs test on the day of his defeat to British boxer Fabio Wardley last month in London.

News outlets in the UK said the former world champion tested positive for cocaine.

Parker says it was a voluntary test and the adverse result was 'a real surprise'.

Former professional boxer Junior Fa says this development has come as a shock to New Zealand's wider boxing community.

"This is a bit of a shock in terms of lifestyle choice - and from the boxing world, Joe Parker is very, very beloved, everyone loves him. This comes as a shock to everyone."

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England is celebrating a first home win over the All Blacks in 13 years.

The hosts won 33-19 at Twickenham, despite being 12 points down within the first 20 minutes.

Newstalk ZB rugby commentator Elliott Smith says the team made a strong start, but they couldn't keep up the momentum.

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2025 marks 30 years since Kiwi dance company Black Grace was formed, and this anniversary will be marked with some new performances.

Later this month, the company will stage Paul Taylor's Esplanade, in a double bill with If Ever There Was A Time - an original work by founder Neil Ieremia.

Ieremia says when he first started out, there weren't a lot of dance opportunities for Māori men, and he aimed to change that.

"I remember when we put on our first show and it actually sold out - it was at the Kenneth Maidment Theatre at the university there. We put on our first show and it sold out before we actually opened, which was quite incredible."

The Black Grace double bill tour starts in Auckland on November 21 and continues in Christchurch on November 25 and 26, with tickets available here.

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On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 9 November 2025, Bill Bryson's book 'The Short History of Nearly Everything, is the best selling science book of the 21st century. This week he tells Francesca why he came out of retirement to rewrite it after 23 years.

Neil Ieremia is credited with changing dance in New Zealand. This year his company, Black Grace turns 30 and he joins Francesca to talk about celebrating the milestone.

ZB commentator Elliott Smith on a tight win for the All Blacks this morning at Murrayfield, Francesca applauds the Government's film rebates as a step in the right direction.

And off the back of the announcement that Michelin reviewers are going to rate New Zealand restaurants for the first time, resident chef Mike Van de Elzen shares why chasing a star was never important to him.

Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything has sold millions of copies since its initial publication in 2003, but a lot has changed since then.

Bryson had initially retired, but he's since revised his best known work with updated information - and he's set to do a speaking tour, with Auckland and Wellington events to take place in February.

He says a massive amount has changed in the 22 years since writing the book and updating it was a bigger project than expected.

"It was fun, I enjoyed it a lot - I've been kind of retired for a few years and this is why I came out of retirement, to do this. And I really had a good time doing it, it made me remember the joys of actually working."

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Megan Singleton's travelling through the US, and she spent some time in Boston before heading to New York.

She started off in the historic Beacon Hill neighbourhood before moving down to the up and coming Seaport District, and she shared her highlights from both areas.

Read more about Megan's experience here.

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