In this pod I talk to Rhodes Scholar, former Mastermind contestant, cleric, and now author, Dr. Richard Major, about his life since leaving Aotearoa New Zealand in 1985. 

Richard has lived in India, Australia, the United States, Italy, the United Kingdom, Slovenia, Hungary, South Africa, Palestine, and Cyprus…before returning full circle to resettle in Oxford just a few weeks before we spoke. 

He shares his experience of arriving in Oxford with former All Blacks' captain, David Kirk, climbing an active volcano in tweed to toast the erupting volcano with a glass of Beaujolais before being escorted off the mountainside, his time studying and teaching at Oxford, and his work in the Church across diverse posts including the UK, Italy, and the USA among others. A public service announcement during the pod includes sage advice on why you shouldn't jump into a grave, and observations on embalming 'crimes' in the USA. Richard's life as a diplomatic (trailing) spouse, his writing as a foreign correspondent and book author, and his observations on the future of travel and living internationally are also explored. Lastly, we touch on Richard's current writing project - a guidebook for undergraduate students who are considering studying overseas. The book - called Major's Toolbox - is currently scheduled to be published in the first quarter of 2026. 

Richard also tutors international students preparing to apply for Oxford or Cambridge and if this sounds like you, or someone you know, he can be reached at [email protected] for details. 

On behalf of OFNZ, thank you for listening and sharing the pod.

My huge thanks to the Kiwi Flees for candid conversations, and to my sound engineer Robbie Mulligan and the team at Matrix Digital (Wgtn).

Thank you, too, to Kea for promoting the pod.

If you're a Kiwi Flee or know someone who should be, please get in touch at: [email protected]

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