Real Life With John Cowan

Matthias was appointed as the new permanent cellist of NZTrio in February 2026. Matthias began playing the cello at the age of three and completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Waikato at just seventeen. His career has taken him across Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia and Aotearoa as a soloist, chamber musician and with the Ares Trio. He has performed with orchestras including...

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From leading Canada’s women to Olympic glory in Tokyo to navigating a dramatic career setback and making a triumphant return to guide the Wellington Phoenix women to the A-League final, Bev’s story is one of ultimate highs and intense resilience. Tune in to hear a raw and inspiring look at her life, her passions, and how she channels hunger and desire into a whole new chapter of leadership on and...

Joy is a highly respected New Zealand broadcast journalist and television presenter, best known for her extensive career with TVNZ’s 1News. A former European Correspondent based in London, she made history as the first mother appointed to the role, covering major global events across nearly 20 countries—including Brexit, royal weddings, and the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Beyond her journalism ca...

Manu dominated the rugby league world for over a decade, cementing his place as the Vodafone Warriors' all-time leading try-scorer and a powerhouse for the Kiwis. But beyond the staggering stats, the massive hits, and the unforgettable tries, what has always made Manu a crowd favourite is his massive heart. He has navigated the highest peaks of sporting stardom and faced some of life’s toughest, m...

Hailed as one of the most exciting tenors of his generation, Samoan-born Pene Pati has been taking the global stage by storm with his radiant voice, effortless high notes, and an infectious, warm charisma that disarms audiences the moment he steps under the lights. Whether he’s starring in the world's leading opera houses or sharing the stage with his brothers in Sol3 Mio, he brings a unique, down...

Matt Watson is a household name in New Zealand and a true Kiwi icon, best known as the charismatic creator and host of the legendary ITM Fishing Show. From launching his television career with high-octane viral stunts—like his infamous helicopter-to-marlin jump that landed him on David Letterman—Watson has evolved into one of Aotearoa’s most passionate ocean advocates. A fierce champion for sustai...

Chelsie is a powerhouse of New Zealand stage and screen, carrying on a formidable creative lineage as the daughter of filmmaker Dame Gaylene Preston and musician Jonathan Crayford. Over her 20-year career, she has built a reputation for versatility, moving seamlessly between grit and grace. Currently, Chelsie is entering an exciting new chapter as a filmmaker. This week marks the theatrical releas...

For over 50 years, Tāme Iti (Ngāi Tūhoe) has been the face of Māori resistance and mana motuhake. From the front lines of the 1975 Land March and the founding of Ngā Tamatoa to the controversial Urewera raids, Tāme has spent his life challenging New Zealand to reckon with its colonial past. Once branded a radical, he is now an Arts Foundation Laureate and a celebrated contemporary artist whose wor...

Brad is one of the most decorated dual-code athletes in history, defined by a legendary "serial winner" mentality. He achieved elite success in Rugby League with the Brisbane Broncos, winning four NRL titles and representing Queensland in State of Origin, before switching to Rugby Union. There, he became a cornerstone of the All Blacks, famously winning the 2011 Rugby World Cup and securing a Supe...

After a 30-year legal career specialising in resource management and iwi claims, Ron Crosby retired in 2007 to focus on writing, often drawing from his extensive experience as a bush explorer to inform his historical research. His work is noted for its deep focus on te ao Māori and military history, including seminal titles such as The Musket Wars (1999) and Kūpapa: The Bitter Legacy of Māori Alli...

Dr Vanessa Weenink is currently serving her first term as the Member of Parliament for Banks Peninsula. She serves on the Education and Workforce Select Committee and is Deputy-Chair of the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Select Committee. Born in Blenheim and growing up in Marlborough, Vanessa served in the New Zealand Defence Force for over 20 years as a Medical Officer in the Army....

Barbara is a highly respected journalist and storyteller, known for bringing the voices and stories of the Pacific to the forefront of New Zealand media. With decades of experience and deep cultural understanding, she has reported from across the region with integrity, compassion, and courage. A multi-award-winning journalist, Barbara has received top honours including the Voyager Media Award for...

TJ is stepping into the role after nearly two decades of high-impact humanitarian work across Africa, North America, and right here in the Pacific. A familiar face in the sector, TJ previously served as the organization’s Associate National Director and currently chairs the New Zealand Council for International Development. Now a proud Kiwi citizen, he brings a unique global perspective and a deep...

British broadcaster and survivalist Bear Grylls is well-known for pushing himself to the limits of human capability. As the host of Man vs Wild, the former SAS soldier ate rotting zebra flesh, a yak’s eyeball and a live snake; fashioned a sleeping bag out of a camel’s carcass; and swam naked across a Siberian river in -67degC temperatures. His tendency to drink his own urine as a survival tactic h...

Comedian Paul Ego has been the voice of Stick Man for 17 years, and is a main stay of the TV panel show 7 Days. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aled Jones MBE, a name synonymous with musical brilliance, has been enchanting audiences since the 1980s. He was the original cross-over artist and is eternally cherished as one of the most accomplished boy sopranos globally, captivating the world from his debut at 12 years old in Handel's Oratorio Jeptha, broadcast on BBC2 and BBC Radio 3. After a brief pause when his voice broke at 16, Aled’s ca...

Matiu Walters is the lead singer and guitarist of New Zealand’s band Six60. The group formed in Dunedin in 2008, and across the last 16 years have broken all the rules to become New Zealand’s biggest band. In 2019, they became the first New Zealand act to sell out Western Springs Stadium and in 2021 became the first band to ever play Eden Park to a sold-out crowd of 50,000. He attended Otago Unive...

Niki Harré is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Auckland. She writes, researches and teaches about values-based practice, environmental sustainability, the future of universities and living well together on our shared planet. Her new book is titled The Calling See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Working at the forefront of geopolitics, aid and development, and governance, Josie is CEO of ChildFund New Zealand and Chair of Fair Trade Australia & New Zealand. Her column appears fortnightly in The Post and on Stuff, and she was a finalist for Best Columnist at the 2023 Voyager Media Awards. Her writing has also been published internationally, including in The New York Times. Founder of P...

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Greg is in his first term as the Member of Parliament for Maungakiekie. He serves on the Māori Affairs Committee and is Deputy Chair of the Petitions Committee. In March 2024, the members’ bill in his name, the Crimes (Increased Penalties for Slavery Offences) Amendment Bill, was drawn from the ballot, aiming to strengthen New Zealand’s response to human trafficking by increasing penalties for dom...

Liz Stokes is an Auckland-based songwriter and frontwoman of acclaimed indie rock band The Beths, known for her sharp lyrics, emotional honesty, and irresistibly punchy melodies. Across the band’s internationally celebrated albums — including Future Me Hates Me, Jump Rope Gazers, Expert in a Dying Field, and the recent Straight Line Was A Lie — Stokes has built a reputation for writing candidly ab...

Patricia is a writer, anthropologist, and lifelong observer of faith, family, and belonging. Ordained ministry, grandparenthood, widowhood, and a remarkable return to university in later life have all shaped her unique perspective. After retiring from parish leadership, Patricia enrolled as a mature student in anthropology, completing a BA, Honours, and eventually a PhD, driven by a fascination wi...

Anna is a New Zealand and Swedish freestyle skier and reporter for TV Show The Crowd Goes Wild. She began skiing with her family at the age of four but it wasn’t until she finished school and began dedicating full seasons to the sport that she discovered her passion for slopestyle skiing. She competed for New Zealand at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. She finished 15th in qualification of the w...