Ben Parua grew up surrounded by violence, addiction, gangs and trauma.

Then when he was fifteen, he was sentenced to five and a half years in jail for being an accomplice to a manslaughter of an elderly man.

It was while incarcerated at Waikeria prison in the central north Island that he got introduced to farming. A career that has changed his life and put him on a road to redemption.

Last year he was named Maori farmer of the year and was also a finalist for the Kiwi Bank New Zealander of the year. 

He is a powerful force for good- helping others walk away from the life he once lived.

And he is also a Tik-Toker with 82,000 followers- give him a follow at @FarmUpNZ

This is a brutally honest conversation that some might find alarming. Some of the ground we cover includes:

+ His early years growing up around gangs.

+ His introduction to drugs while still at primary school

+ The night in 2011 which cost an elderly man his life

+ Reflections on his time in jail.

+ Rebuilding himself

+ His relationship with the brother of his victim.

+ The people who gave him a second chance.

+ What it's like to be judged forever by the public and so much more.

Ben speaks with unfiltered honesty about his past, not to glorify it, but to offer hope: proof that no matter how broken you are, it’s never too late to change.

This conversation is emotional. It’s uncomfortable at times. But it’s also uplifting, redemptive, and deeply human.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bubbah is the household name, face and voice in NZ as Tina from the Turners Cars commercials (one of New Zealand’s most iconic ad campaigns in recent years).

Tina’s real name is Bubbah. Actually, that’s not entirely accurate. 

Her real name is Sieni Tiani Leo’o Olo. But because that is the same name as her grandmother, she was given the family nickname Bubbah as a toddler, and it has stuck.

This is a rare and wide-ranging conversation and Bubbah open’s like never before.

+ We talk about her upbringing in a busy South Auckland household of 17 people. And how roasting is her family’s love language.

+ Why she is turning her back on the spotlight and leaving New Zealand to move to Samoa fulltime.

+ The whole back story about Tina from Turners and how it’s changed her life.

+ Her unlikely friendship formed on Celebrity Treasure Island with Christian Cullen.

+ Why she avoids social media, her views on cancel culture and so much more.

This conversation has a bit of everything. It’s unpredictable, funny, moving, and real. Bubbah- unfiltered and unforgettable. 

In 250 episodes I’ve never met anyone like Bubbah! I think she’s awesome. I love her perspective on life, and I hope you do too.

***

Massive thanks to my long-term podcast sponsors, Generate.

Generate is an award-winning KiwiSaver provider with a track record of delivering strong long-term returns for their clients- you can see their latest returns for yourself on their website.

I became a client when they came on board as the show sponsor and it’s been a gamechanger for me personally- I’m kicking myself for not doing it years earlier.

You can book a no obligation chat with one of their awesome KiwiSaver advisers at generatekiwisaver.co.nz/dom

The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. To see their Product disclosure statement see generatekiwisaver.co.nz/pds

Past performance does not guarantee future returns.

And just a reminder — I’m a podcast host, not a financial adviser, so this is just general advice. I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steve Braunias is one of New Zealand’s most well-known and respected writers and journalists, known for his dry wit and ability to blend sharp observation with emotional

depth.  (thanks for that Chat GPT!)

Thousands of Kiwis are fans of Steve’s work, whether its one of his 14 books or columns that he has written for almost every newspaper or magazine in New Zealand. But this very rare podcast appearance may be a side of Steve Braunias that has never been seen before.

We talk about everything from aging and anxiety to family, food, and the strange comfort of public transport- Steve is 65 and has never held a driver’s license.

There’s reflection, vulnerability, a few incredibly emotional moments – and plenty of signature Braunias dry humor.

This is the first time we met. I wasn’t sure how we would get on (because I find him quite intimidating (just because of his superior intellect and his way with words). 

But I really enjoyed our conversation, and I hope you do too.

***

Massive thanks to my long-term podcast sponsors, Generate.

If I could ask you to do one big favour — for me and for yourself — it would be to consider getting KiwiSaver advice from Generate, like I did.

The decisions you make with your KiwiSaver now could have a big impact on how much you have to live on in retirement. And if you’ve never had KiwiSaver advice before, you could be missing out.

Generate has a strong track record of long-term performance — You can check out their latest returns on their website.

They also have advisers who can come to you and help you figure out the right KiwiSaver setup for your goals — no pressure, just good advice.

I met with one when Generate came on board as a sponsor back in 2023 — and honestly, I wish I’d done it sooner.

Head to generatekiwisaver.co.nz/dom to book a chat

The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. To see their Product disclosure statement see generatekiwisaver.co.nz/pds Past performance does not guarantee future returns.

And just a reminder — everyone’s situation is different, so I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steve Braunias is one of New Zealand’s best known and most loved writers. 

He has spent decades journaling New Zealand life with a writing style and turn of phrase that is unlike anyone else.

On top of regular columns for newspapers and magazines he has written 14 books.

In his latest book, Polkinghorne: The Trial of the Century, he turns his attention to one of the country’s most fascinating and disturbing court trials.

Steve sat through every minute of every day of the nine-week High court trial, taking in everything that was going on,

In this episode, Steve shares his thoughts on Philip Polkinghorne after spending over two months watching him, hearing every detail of his life and even having various one on one conversations with him in and around court.

We talk about the personal toll of writing about human tragedy, his process, his regrets, and the moral dilemmas that come with telling these sorts of stories.

The next episode of the Dom Harvey Podcast will be more of a standard podcast episode where we get to deconstruct the intriguing life and career of Steve Braunias. But this one here is the section of our podcast that focused exclusively on Polkinghorne- the book, the trial and the man himself.

****

Massive thanks to my long-term podcast sponsors, Generate.

Generate is an award-winning KiwiSaver provider with a track record of delivering strong long-term returns for their clients- you can see their latest returns for yourself on their website.

I became a client when they came on board as the show sponsor and it’s been a gamechanger for me personally- I’m kicking myself for not doing it years earlier.

You can book a no obligation chat with one of their awesome KiwiSaver advisers at generatekiwisaver.co.nz/dom

The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. To see their Product disclosure statement see generatekiwisaver.co.nz/pds

Past performance does not guarantee future returns.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh Komen first appeared on the podcast in July 2022 and since then we have become good friends. 

So, when he asked to come on the podcast again, of course I said yes. 

Josh is such an epic human. He has been through so much and is one of the most positive and grateful humans I’ve ever met. Every time we connect, I leave the interaction feeling better about myself. So, I hope you guys get the same feeling after checking out this episode.

At 23, Josh Komen was once one of New Zealand’s fastest 800m runners chasing dreams of going to the Commonwealth Games, until life threw him the ultimate curveball: a leukaemia diagnosis that would change everything. Not once, but twice. And a bunch of heart attacks as well!

This is a small part of the Josh Komen story.

If you've ever felt broken, lost, or unsure of how to keep going. This conversation will remind you that even in the darkest moments, there is light.

Thanks to these guys for sponsoring Josh: https://profitabletradie.com/

And follow Josh here: https://www.joshkomen.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Steve Hansen is one of the greatest All Black coaches of all time. He is a true legend of the game. 

The stats don’t lie:

+ 107 test matches as head coach over 8 seasons

+ Only 10 losses, for a win record of 87%

+ World rugby coach of the year 4 times.

+ Two Halberg awards for NZ coach of the year.

In this exclusive and very rare podcast appearance from the man known as “Shag” he opens up about the moments he got it wrong, his thoughts on what makes a great leader, the art of difficult conversations, the time Keven Mealamu told him off, why he warned Richie McCaw he was going to cost the All Blacks the 2015 Rugby World Cup and plenty more rugby stuff.

We also talk about some deeply personal stuff, like his wife Tash’s cancer journey and how that changed his outlook on life. 

This will possibly be a side of Sir Steve Hansen that you have never seen before.

Steve’s not just a coaching legend and an inspiring leader, he’s wise, humble, and very funny. I loved our time together and I hope you do too.

***

Massive thanks to my long-term podcast sponsors, Generate.

If I could ask you to do one big favor — for me and for yourself — it would be to consider joining Generate, like I did, and like over 170,000 other Kiwis already have (including Dame Lisa Carrington and Finn Butcher).

Generate have a track record of delivering strong long-term performance, which will really pay off by the time you reach retirement. You can see their latest returns on their website.

And if you're not actually sure what your KiwiSaver plan is meant to be doing - Generate have advisers who can come to you and give you no pressure advice.

Switching to Generate is super easy- you can do it online in a few minutes. All you need is some ID, like your passport or Driver’s licence and your IRD number and you’re good to go.

I did it when they came on board as a show sponsor in 2023 and I regret not doing it sooner. 

Head to https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/dom/

The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. To see their Product disclosure statement see generatekiwisaver.co.nz/pds Past performance does not guarantee future returns.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr.Libby is one of the most trusted voices in nutrition and wellness. 

She has a PhD in nutritional biochemistry and 14 best selling books to back it up. Her latest life changing book is “Fix Iron First.”

Dr.Libby is passionate about educating others on stress, women's health, and the emotional drivers behind our food choices.

To put it simply- she’s awesome. And this is a small part of the Dr. Libby story.

I tried to balance this episode so we could tick two boxes: 

1.   Get to know a little bit more about Libby as a person- who she is when she’s not working. 

2.   Pick her brains and get some nutrition-based advice that we can all use to improve our own lives (sharing your Qs from social media).

I’m hoping all of us can get learn a thing or two from this conversation, like:

+ The real reason you might be tired all the time.

+ Why perimenopause needs more honest conversation

+ The emotional side of eating—and why beating yourself up about it doesn’t help

Plus, Dr. Libby shares personal reflections on aging, relationships, and how she built her iconic brand in the wellness world.

This was the first time we met, and I loved our very early morning podcast (7.30am) and I hope you do too.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim O’Connor is the long-standing headmaster of Auckland Grammar School.

When he started the job in 2012 he became only the 11th headmaster at Grammar in the schools 156 year history.

In this conversation, Tim shares the highs and lows of his 13-years at Grammar.  And his 10 years as the head of my old school, PNBHS, before that.

This podcast offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the culture, discipline, and deep traditions that define Auckland Grammar.

We talk about everything from navigating risky behaviors and toxic masculinity to fostering mental resilience and identity in teenage boys.

Tim opens about his own path through education, the mentors who shaped him, and the leadership lessons he picked up at Harvard that now guide his everyday decision-making.

This is more than a conversation about a school. It’s a masterclass in leadership, vulnerability, and the future of education in a digital world.

It’s hard to think of many people who have done as much for young men in New Zealand in this century as what Tim O’Connor has done.

I enjoyed my time with Tim, and I think you will too.    

***

This episode is sponsored by Generate Kiwisaver.

Generate win awards all the time. That’s because they are great at what they do, which is Generating wealth for their clients.

When it comes to your retirement savings, no one wants to be caught short, so do your future self a favour and get some FREE No Obligation KiwiSaver advice from Generate.

Generate have a track record of delivering strong long-term performance for their members – which will really pay off by the time you reach retirement.

And they’ve got advisers across the country to help make sure your investment is set up best for you.

Head to: https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/dom/

The issuer of the scheme is Generate Management Limited. To see their Product disclosure statement go to their website. Past performance does not guarantee future returns.

**The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the host and guests and may not reflect the views of the show sponsors**

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Daniel Rankin is a dog dad to a cute little pug called Fraser, he’s a content creator, a self-taught baker and a Samoan man who’s redefining masculinity one cheeky, flirty, sexy, flour-covered reel at a time (Follow him here: https://www.instagram.com/mancancooknz/).

Chances are you’ve seen his topless baking videos on Instagram or TikTok:

Sometimes with some guilty pleasure cheesy songs

Usually with his adorable little dog Fraser

And ALWAYS with some sex appeal and visible torso.

But in this conversation, you’ll get to know the man behind the wild social media success

We talk about:

+ Growing up overweight in Samoa and learning to cook out of necessity as a teenager living alone in Auckland

+ How heartbreak, business stress, and COVID led him to therapy, and a new chapter of vulnerability and healing

+ The intense behind-the-scenes effort that goes into a single one-minute video

+ Going viral with 10M+ views and what Neil Patrick Harris has to do with it

+ And how many unsolicited dick pics he gets on an average week.

Dan is introspective, thoughtful, vulnerable and quietly powerful. He might be your new favourite follow on social media. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the history of rugby in New Zealand there have been a total of 1,223 All Blacks. Of that elite group, a much smaller number go on to be known as All Black legends. 

GRANT FOX most definitely has legend status- he is a genuine New Zealand rugby icon.

He wore the number 10 jersey and is considered one of the greatest goal kickers of all time. 

He was part of the team that won the first ever Rugby World Cup in 1987.

When he retired as a player, his involvement with the sport continued in the roles of coach, broadcaster and All Black selector.

(He is also the dad to one of the world’s top golfers).

In this brutally honest and wide-ranging conversation, the man known as “Foxy” opens-up like never before.

We talk vulnerability, regret, fatherhood, legacy, and walking away from the game that defined him.

Some of the topics include

• Life after the All Blacks
• The emotional cost of coaching
• What it means to be a good dad and husband
• Watching Ryan Fox make his own name
• The real reason he walked away from rugby

*** 

Thanks to Generate for sponsoring this episode.

Generate is an award-winning KiwiSaver provider with a track record of delivering strong long-term returns.

Book a chat with an adviser at: https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/dom/

The issuer of the scheme is Generate Management Limited.

To see their Product disclosure statement go to their website. Past performance does not guarantee future returns.

**The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the host and guests and may not reflect the views of the show sponsors**

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.