UN-STITUTIONALISED Shubz x Neil Waka

UN-STITUTIONALISED. Shubz x Neil Waka.

Apparently there’s a right way to think, a right way to be Māori and a list of people we’re not supposed to talk to. Who decided that?

Episode two gets into the reaction to Shubz’s Treaty clip, what he meant by “finding out who I am” and why knowing your whakapapa doesn’t mean everyone gets to choose your politics.

Neil challenges Stan Walker and Anika Moa over their public criticism, revisits his experience in Israel and gives his take on activism, free speech and the conversations people refuse to have.

We also get into gender identity and fairness in women’s sport, protecting your kids, and whether keeping the peace with whānau is worth letting threatening behaviour slide.

Somewhere in between, Neil shares his Hollywood and acting stories, Shubz admits his own content gave him the ick, and we explain how this show got its name.

Two different generations. Plenty to disagree about. Still sitting at the same table.

Subscribe and tell us where you reckon we’ve got it right — or wrong.

Content note: Strong language, adult themes and discussion of child abuse.

Welcome to UN-STITUTIONALISED. Shubz x Neil Waka.

Two different generations, two very different journeys and plenty to say. Sport, life, culture, politics and the tough conversations worth having. Big laughs, honest opinions and the odd “bro, you can’t say that.”

For episode one, we start with the two people behind the microphones.

Neil turns the questions on Shubz to find out where he came from and what made him the bloke you see online. Shubz opens up about growing up between whānau, surviving childhood abuse, using humour to carry the pain and learning to let people love him. It gets emotional, but the piss-taking is never far away.

Then there’s Neil beyond the TV screen. Years of broadcasting taught him how to become the presenter the moment a camera switched on. Now he’s figuring out how to leave that voice behind and Shubz isn’t letting him slip back into it.

Along the way: family stories, relationships, social media, ancestry surprises, sporting disasters and a few tangents that probably should’ve stayed off camera.

We’re getting to know each other. You might as well come along.

Follow the podcast, subscribe on YouTube and tell us what you want us to get into next.

Content note: This episode includes frank discussion of childhood sexual abuse, neglect and trauma, strong language and adult humour.