Current workplace demands on employees have reached the point where Kiwi companies are 'fracking human resources, according to one researcher.

Dr Denise Quinlan has undertaken research and surveys to better understand our workplaces and the pressures put on employees. 

The findings reveal our workloads are not sustainable, with up to 50 percent of New Zealand workers at risk of severe burnout.

Quinlan says the advent of smartphones, high-speed internet and remote work accelerated the issues with the modern workplace further. 

"We've all seen the upsides, it's all been amazing - and at first, it was really cool. You could do your phone calls, your emails at home! But now, what it means is that we're not present where we are."

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The Prime Minister has made his expectations clear to David Seymour, about the repeated short comings related to the school lunches programme. 
 
The scheme's come under immense pressure, with questions being raised over the quality of the food, the timeliness of the deliveries and the variety of the meals.

NZ Herald deputy political editor Thomas Coughlan says many impacted parents feel that these 'teething issues' demonstrate a lack of care on the Government's part.

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It's a big day for the Warriors - as the team is set to play their highly-anticipated match in Las Vegas against Canberra.

The match will be beamed into 125 million American households, with a crowd of more than 40,000 expected at Allegiant Stadium. 

CEO Cameron George says Kiwi fans have taken to the streets in their Warriors merch, and the team's hoping to do them proud.

"The exposure our club has gotten from this trip and our fanbase - and growing the fanbase - it's been amazing."

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On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 2nd of March, new research reveals more Kiwis are at risk of workplace burnout than ever. Dr Denise Quinlan explains the new pressures impacting Kiwi employees. 

Danish actor Claes Bang is going against type as he stars in the new historical thriller William Tell.

Speaking of history, Giorgia Kennedy and Zelia Rose Kitoko, two of the reimagined Tudor queens from Six, joined Francesca to discuss the musical phenomenon.

And the panel discusses the geopolitical implications of the infamous clash between President Trump and President Zelenskyy.

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

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The legal aid system could be getting a shake up as the Government hints towards reviewing the scheme to ensure victims’ justice is a priority.  

Minister Paul Goldsmith has claimed the system is under pressure, with an increase in the volume of court cases, expenses for third party and specialist reports - and changes to eligibility in recent years.  

 Law Society President Frazer Barton says the process has become much more costly - and cases have grown more and more complex.

"We've got these problems in all of the areas - criminal, family and so on. So we desperately need this and I'll welcome it."

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In the first 2025 edition of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, former CIA analyst turned thriller writer David McCloskey talks his third book and how he captures CIA life. 

New Zealand's own Morgana O'Reilly is a cast member on The White Lotus and tells Francesca what it was like on set and what audiences should expect from the hit show's third season. 

And Jake Bailey captured the nation's attention when he was at high school with a cancer diagnosis. He's beaten the disease and has become a speaker on the international scene and talked his new book. 

Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin brings you the best interviews from Newstalk ZB's The Sunday Session. 

Listen on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. 

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Kiwi pop duo Foley are excited - and a little nervous - to release their upcoming second album out into the world.

The pair's forthcoming second record THAT’S LIFE, BABY! - featuring the lead single of the same name - is set to drop on February 28.

Ash Wallace and Gabe Everatt explained that releasing a second album is a different experience than creating a first - as there's a different kind of pressure to factor in.

"We had a writing deadline - and we were like, okay, by this date, we'll have everything written for the album, then we'll see what tracks we've got and put it all together."

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Samoan-born Miki Magasiva is set to release his first feature directorial debut in the coming days.

Magasiva made a name for himself crafting short films and commericials - and his work on miniseries The Panthers won him a best director award at the 2022 New Zealand Television Awards.

His new feature film, Tinā tells the story of a Samoan teacher working at a private school while struggling with the death of her daughter.

"I love humour - and I wanted to do an emotional story when I set out to do it, so I'm just stoked."

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Nemesis by Gregg Hurwitz. This is a story in the Orphan X sequence, which I’ve loved from the very beginning, but this one takes a darker and more personal turn for Evan Smoak, the hero. Because of the nature of his work and the man he was made to be to do that work he’s never had friends, but 15 years ago he met a man who became the nearest thing to being a friend – Tommy Stojack – a former gunrunner and Green Beret who now supplies arms and equipment to Evan – but who now betrays him, and friendship rapidly turns to enmity. This is a brilliant thriller.   

The House of My Mother by Shari Franke. Shari was one of six children in a family which became known on YouTube as 8 Passengers. Her mother Ruby turned her family into performance and filmed and posted everything about their lives, portraying them as being the perfect family when behind the scenes they were anything but. Ruby was a really tough Mum off camera, but when she took up with a relationship coach their abuse of the children escalated, and Ruby and Jodi, the coach, are now serving prison time. This is their story by the eldest daughter. 

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Everyone loves a good airport lounge experience, but it's not always a given for every airline - even if you're a Star Alliance loyalist.

Enter Priority Pass - Megan Singleton's newest hack to experiencing airport luxury.

Megan reveals how she found out about this - and details her experiences here.

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