Asian in Aotearoa

Kiwi-Malaysian-Chinese filmmaker Jack Woon joins Jenna for our last episode of the year. In this episode, he shares his acute perfectionist tendencies, some of which we may or may not relate to, and how collaboration actually helps fight those tendencies. He delves into his screen practice and the changes for Asian representation in the industry, his favourite collaborations, creative (see: coffee...

In this episode, Jenna sits down with music producer Edward Liu, also known as EDY. They discuss his experiences in Aotearoa’s music scene, the importance of creating a safe space in the recording studio, and his family's understanding of his work. Beyond being a producer, EDY talks about his work as a teacher, his initiative Schools 2 Studio, and the practice of self-love. Listen to EDY’s mus...

In this episode, Jenna talks to Wellington-based artist, Ali Pang. The conversation goes deep and not only touches on Ali’s career as an artist and jewellery maker, but also delves into her experiences being diagnosed with ADHD, spirituality, and struggles with guilt and self-love. Check out Ali's work: PANGjewellery.com Instagram: pang.jewellery and AAPPA.PAPPA SUBSCRIBE to the newsletter: as...

New Zealand Poet Laureate, Chris Tse, talks to Jenna Wee about his role and advocacy as New Zealand Poet Laureate all while juggling his creative practice with maintaining a day job. Chris also reflects on sustainability in the arts, the challenges of writing funding applications, and supporting fellow Asian creatives. The conversation dives into Chris’ thoughts on leadership, creativity, collabor...

Writer and Metro magazine food editor, Jean Teng, talks to Jenna about her unexpected journey into food writing, starting with a complaint email to Metro itself. Jean reflects on the evolving food media landscape in Auckland and the challenges it presents. This conversation delves into cultural appropriation, diversity in food writing, Jean’s evolving leadership style, personal growth, and her wri...

Award-winning writer, director and actor Bala Murali Shingade joins Jenna on the podcast to talk about his play Boom Shankar, art and identity, funding applications AND he answers questions on themes of Leadership, Collaboration, Creativity, (Self)Love. Buy tickets to see Boom Shankar this September at Q Theatre,  ⁠ HERE⁠ . 💌 Subscribe to the newsletter: asianinaotearoa.substack.com 👉 Follow  ⁠@...

Writer and software developer Rose Lu talks with Jenna about her first book All Who Live on Islands, writers festivals, racism plus the novel she’s currently trying to work on. Rose migrated from China as a child and currently lives in Pōneke, Wellington.  Buy Rose's book ⁠ HERE ⁠ ___ SUPPORT Asian in Aotearoa: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/asianinaotearoa⁠ FOLLOW ⁠ @asianinaotearoa ⁠ on ⁠ ⁠ Instagram VI...

Maggie is a Chinese-New Zealander, a multimedia journalist at Re: News, a documentary maker and an aspiring lady of leisure. Here, we talk about the new series that Maggie directed called Dating While Asian and her own dating experiences. What also comes up is some stuff around being fetishised, pleasure or lack thereof for women in straight partnerships, breakups, burnout and more. Watch Dating W...

To mark two years of Asian in Aotearoa , Jenna is joined by Elina Ashimbayeva (episode 22 guest, Storyo founder & friend) and answers questions sent in from various past guests about the podcast, life, relationships, vulnerability and more! Thank you for your great questions: ​Cindy Leong ​Marwin Silerio ​Geoff Ong ​Alyssa Medel ​Amanda Grace Leo ​Grace Ko ​Steven Junil Park ​Nathan Joe ​Hazel Zis...

Jess is an Aotearoa-born Chinese DJ, music journo, and host of the web series Amplified (which you should totally watch). In this episode, we talk about the series and Jess’ background - from being terrible at singing to playing sets at some epic NZ festivals. Follow Jess on IG @fu.f.u Watch Amplified HERE Listen to Jess’ Daylight Ravings mix HERE ___ SUPPORT Asian in Aotearoa: https://ko-fi.com/a...

Rhohil Kishore AKA K’SHORE is an artist, songwriter, producer, performer, educator and overthinker (his words, not mine) - and he’s of Fijian-Indian descent, born and raised in Aotearoa. We talk about identity, the creative arts industry, general life stuff and music.  Check out these links for Rhohil: Instagram @rhohilkishore Spotify / Linktree 👉 Get Tickets to Asian Diaspora Dialogues HERE...

Asian in Aotearoa is officially two years old! To celebrate, I’m going to be recording a special AMA episode - where I answer the questions instead of asking them. So, dear listener here is your opportunity to ASK ME ANYTHING. Email your question to asianinaotearoa@gmail.com or send me a DM or voice note on Instagram by mid-November. This episode is with Chyna-Lily Rawlinson. She is Chinese-Samoan...

Casey Yeoh / KC YO is of Malaysian and Singaporean-Chinese descent, she’s a multidisciplinary creative - a graphic designer, photographer, director, editor and cinematographer. She also has creative and personal ties to the awesome musical duo Imugi. If you’re familiar with Imugi, then chances are that you’ve seen her work. This is a fun episode where we talk about dreaming and work, and we also t...

Steven is a multidisciplinary artist of Korean descent, based in Ōtautahi. He creates work under the label 6x4. Usually, I ask guests about how they’re comfortable being introduced on here, and when I asked Steven, he said I’m welcome to call him a speck of dust floating through an uncaring void. In this convo, we discuss labels and talk about the difference between clothing and fashion, the relat...

Miki is a 30-year-old, talented artist and illustrator. She’s an Aries, she’s New Zealand Japanese Albanian and has recently started saying yes to things that she might’ve previously avoided. Hence, she’s here. So in this episode, we talk about all of that, her work and body stuff too. FOLLOW https://www.instagram.com/mikip.art/ SUPPORT Asian in Aotearoa: https://ko-fi.com/asianinaotearoa @asianin...

Sam is back to chat about winning MasterChef and his journey since he was last here. We talk about the show, food politics, identity, spirituality, self-growth, the cookbook he’s working on, community and more. Sam is a 30-year-old Fiji-born Chinese-Kiwi, a food and flavour creative/expert, a coffee pro, an indie-movie lover, an extremely good gift-giver, an Aquarius with strong Capricorn placemen...

For some context, in partnership with my friends at Where the Asians At?!, comes ASIAN(SOUND)SCAPES - a free event that’s showcasing the best pan-Asian-kiwi local talent around and it’s happening at Potters Park in Auckland on July 2nd and 3rd. Expect cultural celebration, music, dance battles, poetry AND Tai Chi… … which is where my father, Charles, comes in. Dad is Malaysian-Chinese and Melanau...

Amita is South African Indian, a fat, plant-based, cooking enthusiast, creative and digital marketer. This episode is NSFW. Trigger warning: eating disorders, dieting, fatphobia/anti-fatness are discussed. If you are offended or feel a bit funny about conversations surrounding: pleasure, sex, being fat, periods, masturbation, orgasms, vaginas - you might want to skip this one. IF you are my parent...

Cindy is Kiwi Malaysian Chinese, a painter, photographer and a curious student of life. Her interests lie in abstract art, philosophy, nature, meditation and self-growth. Here we talk about Cindy’s vipassana experience, our Asian parents and their expectations, as well as potentially having or not having kids - as women in our 30s currently without them… and more! Cindy-leong.com / @cindyleong__...

Jane is a Fiji-Chinese-Pākehā New Zealander, a theatre director, maker, dramaturg and creator, an arts politics nerd, policy and strategy writer. I ask Jane about her academic, arts and work background as well as some personal stuff and just generally what’s going on for her right now including being pregnant and directing Scenes from a Yellow Peril - which is a show you must go to in June/July th...

Balamohan is Tangata Tiriti, a New Zealander from the Deccan region of India. Trained in Western philosophy, contemporary visual arts, and Hindustani music, he currently works in communication research at CARE, Massey University. In this longest episode to date, we talk about political ideology, disinformation, identity, community, resistance and romance (and a whole lot more).  👉   @ba...

Yery is an Aquarius, a writer, singer, dreamer, and is of course one-half of the musical duo Imugi 이무기. We talk about the music industry, mental health, spirituality - the experience of it and the neoliberal commodification of it, community, our teen heart-throbs, and so much more. Listen to the new Imugi EP HERE . @yeriyaki__   @_imugi_ ☕️ SUPPORT the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/asianinao...

Karen is a Japanese photographer, gamer, and TikTok scroller born and raised in New Zealand. Originally, Karen and I were meant to record last year but then we went into lockdown. Back then she had broken up with her boyfriend but they’re back together, so of course, I asked about that. This convo ranges from talking about growing up with shame and feeling unlovable to thirsting over fictional cha...

Elina is originally from Kazakhstan and is the co-founder of the content platform Storyo. She also works in service and design and is deeply invested in diversity and equity work along with storytelling. We chat about her coming to New Zealand as a teen, Elina’s inner critic and internal stuff, family stuff, as well as systems, leadership, work and more. Follow @elyaelina @storyo.co Check out http...

Kaya is Aotearoa-born Japanese, with a connection to the sea, snow and sun. A lover of cannabis and communication, she's the host of Bellas who Blaze - a podcast focused on demystifying and destigmatising cannabis for women and wellness. We speak about cannabis (obviously) and we talk about our own experience as well as Kaya’s work. We also chat about spirituality, weed clarity, intuition, racism,...