Kiwi Yarns

Today’s guest is a NATIONAL TREASURE.

Sure, Suzanne Paul was born in England but she is our official infomercial queen. But it’s not just thousands of luminous spheres that make us all love her - her dogged determination and work ethic through every part of her career is so inspirational. Gosh, talk about someone who never ever ever gives up! She's remarkable!

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Today’s guest doesn’t do things by halves! As if competing at two Olympics in the canoe slalom wasn’t enough, Mike Dawson has recently skied 1000 kilometres across Antarctica to the South Pole. He’s also a mountain biker, photographer and film-maker. He's got some epic stories!

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Today’s guest is one of the country’s great All Blacks, Kieran Read. Not only did he captain the side 52 times, but was capped 128 times for New Zealand, won two World Cups, and four Super Rugby titles for the Crusaders. A huge rugby career that he stepped down from in 2021.

As you'll hear, life after rugby is going really well for Kieran, and he has possibly one of the most random Kiwi Yarns quickfire answers I've ever heard (hint: the last one!).

Oh yeah, and he thinks Razor should be the next All Blacks Coach!

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Today’s guest is the Mayor of the Far North - and when Moko Tepania (Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa, Te Rarawa) was voted in last year he made history by being the first Maori mayor for the region, and also the youngest, at age 31.

The kura kaupapa teacher had served one term on council and now has the top job and boy has he already been busy - particularly in the past few weeks dealing with the aftermath of the devastating Cyclone Gabrielle.

He is a visible presence within the community, and in my opinion he's officially the coolest Mayor in Aotearoa!

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Today’s guest is a wonderful broadcaster, a fine young woman I’ve admired for a very long time.

PJ Harding is a former radio host who built out an amazing career here and in Australia. 

She moved from the bright lights of Melbourne to the mighty Wairarapa, and lives somewhat more of a quiet life with her fiancé Brendan aka BJ, baby Charlie, Josephine the cat, and Fig the dog.

She talks motherhood, the good and bad of social media, and what she's planning on doing next. PJ is a fabulous person with an infectious smile and tells a bloody great yarn!

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Today’s guest is a best-selling author, a qualified counsellor, a self-development coach, a speaker AND she has a massive social media community as @journey_to_wellness_ on Instagram.

Rebekah Ballagh has worked in mental health for many years, but saw the need to help more in the online space. Her books, courses and online advice is easily accessible and hugely popular - she's just great!

Be Your Best Self is her FIFTH book - and it's out at all good bookstores now. 

This was a great session (I mean podcast haha).

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Today’s guest is journalist Charlotte Bellis. 

Charlotte began her career in her hometown Christchurch, but it’s taken her all over the world, from Europe to the United States and more recently, Afghanistan, where she has sat down and interviewed the Taliban.

Last year she became a mum, and during her pregnancy she fought for herself and the many Kiwis locked out of New Zealand due to the MIQ system during the pandemic. She was instrumental in highlighting how deeply flawed it was, which came at the cost of some horrific online abuse. But, the system changed and she was part of that.

A really fascinating conversation with a pretty remarkable woman.

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Today’s guest is one of my favourite Black Ferns Sevens players!

That's not only because she tears up the field, she has sweet dance moves AND she’s one of the funniest people I follow on Instagram and TikTok

Basically, Shiray Kaka is an absolute vibe and you will love her like I do!

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Today’s guests are Tom Lee and Graham Matthews - two lads who have been the drum and bass duo Lee Mvtthews for the past ten years. They've become so popular with Kiwis, they’re headlining festivals, winning multiple awards, and absolutely owning the Summer gig circuit - recently playing in front of 20,000 people at Rhythm and Vines in Gisborne. I was one of those 20,000 frothers so this is a full geek out session - and it's so cool to hear how these guys operate.

Also, the reason there's a V in their name is quite the yarn!

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Today’s guest is the super talented, super fast, incredibly witty Liam Malone.

This interview is a million miles an hour, much like the pace in which Liam can run! Liam tore through our TV screens at pace when he won two gold Medals and a silver at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio, and fast became one of our favourite sportspeople. He’s super switched on in the tech and innovation space, and can call himself a comedian after performing at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh.

He's had a fascinating life, and tells many a great yarn!

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