Mikaela caught up with author Caroline Barron at WOMAD. Find out what prompted Caroline to write her memoir Ripiro Beach and her novel The Golden Days. Lots of useful writing tips on offer too!

Actor, comedian and writer Kura Forrester (Ngāti Porou) won the Billy T Award in 2019 for best-emerging comedian with her show ‘Kura Woulda Shoulda’ and became the first Māori woman to do so. Mikaela caught up with Kura at WOMAD this year.

Heidi Griffin is the owner and manager of the popular Gover St Gallery in New Plymouth - a true community space for Taranaki’s creatives. This year she intends to nurture her own artistic skills too.

Mikaela talks to Taranaki writer Airana Ngarewa about his best-selling novel The Bonetree and the launch of a Māori branch of the New Zealand Society of Authors this weekend, with more to come!

Diagnosed with a rare kidney condition 11 years ago, Taranaki artist Rowena Komene has overcome the odds and now has a future to plan for. One that includes visual arts.

Tio Bang Massing from Vanuatu delighted crowds at WOMAD this year. Mikaela talked to Tio about his poetic folk music and his home island, Ambrym.

Helen Lehndorf is a co-founder of the Manawatu Urban Foraging Group. Mikaela talked to Helen off the stage at WOMAD about her book A Forager’s Life which delves into the environment, food, motherhood and autism.

Korrena Kidd’s vibrant art fills the ARTSpace in April. Listen to Korrena talk about her art and the supportive environment at ACE Adult Community Education Massey University Te Putahi a Toi in Palmerston North.

The Emergence Art Awards for young Taranaki artists are back! Mikaela finds out all about them from Laura Campbell, Director of Percy Thomson Gallery, and the 2018 Emergence Award winner Morgan Paige Taitoko.

Taranaki poets Wilna Strydom and Helen Griffiths reveal how they prepared for the event. Poetry judge Karlo Mila tells us what moves her and reads a poem. And this year’s winner, Teirangi Klever, reveals why she chose to enter.