Real Life With John Cowan

Moko Tepania is a passionate leader dedicated to making a real difference in local government. With over a decade of experience in education, he understands the vital connection between teaching and governance. Motivated by a desire to influence change from within, Moko has embraced his role in local government to ensure that decisions reflect the needs and aspirations of the community. He believe...

Shamubeel Eaqub is the Chief Economist at Simplicity, with over two decades of experience in economics. He has held roles at leading institutions like ANZ Bank, Goldman Sachs, and NZIER. Shamubeel is known for making complex economic topics accessible and is a respected voice in media and business discussions. He holds a BCom with honours in Economics from Lincoln University and is a Chartered Fin...

Tim is the International Programmes Director at Tearfund New Zealand, overseeing the delivery of NZ$11 million in development and humanitarian support through local partners across the globe. Originally from New Zealand, Tim spent his childhood in Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa, before returning to New Zealand at 14. He holds a Masters in International Development with First Class Honours from Massey...

Annabelle White is a New Zealand food writer and author of eleven cookbooks, known for her approachable and fun approach to cooking. She was a long-time food columnist and also wrote the  Food Detective  column for the  Sunday Star-Times . Annabelle served as the food editor for  NZ House & Garden  and joined  New Zealand Woman's Weekly  as Food Editor i...

Vanda Symon is a New Zealand author known for her Detective Sam Shephard series, which includes five novels, starting with her debut,  Overkill , published in 2007. The novel was written amidst the challenges of raising a young family and inspired by a sleep-deprived state that influenced its prologue. In addition to her series, she has also written a standalone psychological thriller titled&...

Mark Vette is an internationally renowned animal psychologist, zoologist, and founder of  Dog Zen , an online dog training program. With over 40 years of experience, he has trained animals for iconic New Zealand commercials, Hollywood films like  The Lord of the Rings  and  The Chronicles of Narnia , and TV series such as  Purina Pound Pups to Dog Stars  and  Dog...

Maia Roos has rapidly ascended through the rugby ranks since debuting for the Auckland Storm in 2019. A talented athlete and leader, she served as Head Girl at Tamaki College and played two matches for the NZ Barbarians in 2020. Maia was also part of the inaugural Blues women’s team, further establishing her presence in the sport. Roos made her Test debut for the Black Ferns against England i...

Jonathan Ogilvie began his creative journey in the post-punk music scene of Christchurch, producing moody music videos for Flying Nun bands like The Jean-Paul Sartre Experience and Headless Chickens. His iconic 1987 video for Straitjacket Fits' "She Speeds," filmed on a truck in the Lyttelton tunnel, was made for just $250. After earning a Bachelor of Arts from Canterbury University...

Campbell Hill is the co-founder and Community Impact Manager of Good Neighbour, one of the Bay of Plenty's most prolific and impactful community organizations. With the help of over 300 dedicated volunteers, Good Neighbour addresses critical needs in the community through a variety of initiatives. Their food rescue program diverts 580 tonnes of food from landfills annually, delivering it to homes...

Ella Kumar is the current chair of Auckland’s Puketāpapa Local Board, and in 2010 she was the first Kiwi-Indian woman elected to a local board in the country.  She's a qualified aerobics instructor, volunteer, marriage celebrant and is known for her passion for the community of Mt Roskill. Kumar was recently awarded the Hall of Fame Award at the Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame Awards 2024 for her re...

Sam Smith is a stand-up comedian, comedy writer, and musician from Auckland, NZ. He gained fame as the winner of season one of The Traitors New Zealand in 2023. Sam has appeared in popular Kiwi shows like 7 Days, Mean Mums, My Favourite Dead Person, and Shortland Street. In addition to his on-screen work, he is a sought-after warm-up comic for major comedy shows, including 7 Days, The Project, Dan...

Finn Butcher is a talented New Zealand slalom canoeist who has been competing internationally since 2012. Growing up near the Kawarau River, Finn discovered his passion for paddling at the age of nine. Under the mentorship of Alan "Sarge" Hoffman, he developed his skills and later moved to Auckland, where he trained extensively at the Vector Wero Whitewater Park alongside fellow canoeist Callum Gi...

Born in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and raised in the mountains of Southern New Zealand, Holly Arrowsmith is a multi-award-winning songwriter known for her poetic storytelling. With a focus on the deeply personal aspects of life, her lyrics resonate - exploring what it means to be human through prayer-like responses to our struggles. A leader in New Zealand’s contemporary Folk and Alt-Country movement, ...

David Walliams is a renowned English comedian, actor, and author, celebrated for his collaborations with Matt Lucas on BBC’s  Little Britain  and  Come Fly With Me . His role as a judge on  Britain's Got Talent  from 2012 - 2022 earned him significant acclaim, including multiple National Television Awards for Best TV Judge. Walliams has also made a mark as a bestselling children’s author, with ove...

Mahé was raised in Tauranga and attended Tauranga Boys' College before moving to Auckland for his sixth form and university studies. He took up rowing at university and enjoyed a highly successful 20-year career in the sport. He is a two-time Olympic Champion in the single scull, winning gold in 2012 and 2016 and a five-time World Champion. In the 2008 Olympics, Mahé had the honour of being the Fl...

Ant Timpson, born April 21, 1966, in Auckland, New Zealand, is a prominent film producer and director. In 2003, he founded the 48 Hours film contest, a significant platform for emerging filmmakers. His work has garnered notable awards, including the British Independent Film Awards Discovery Award and a Saturn Award for Best International Film, both in 2016. Timpson also launched "The Incredibly St...

Rev Dr Miguel A. De La Torre is a Professor of Social Ethics and Latinx Studies at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado. He has held prominent roles, including President of the Society of Christian Ethics (2012) and Executive Officer for the Society of Race, Ethnicity and Religion (2012-2017). A distinguished Fulbright scholar and international lecturer, he is renowned for his advocacy...

Since debuting in 2011, the band Avalanche City, the project of Dave Baxter, has enchanted New Zealand with its light and energetic indie folk-pop tunes. Born in the UK and moving to New Zealand at six months old, Baxter grew up in Tauranga and Hamilton. Musically gifted from a young age, he began playing guitar at nine and performed in local bands during his teens. Avalanche City's first album, ...

Alan Duff, a prominent New Zealand novelist and advocate, is best known for his influential debut novel Once Were Warriors (1990), which won the PEN Best First Book Award and was adapted into a successful film. In addition to his literary success, Duff is recognized for his role as a critical commentator on Māori issues. His 1993 analysis, Māori: The Crisis and the Challenge, critiques both tradit...

Meet Tony Rinaudo, also known as ‘The Forest Maker’! As World Vision’s Principal Climate Action Advisor, Tony has revolutionized reforestation with his groundbreaking approach, Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR).  In 1981, Tony and his wife Liz arrived at the edge of the Sahara, determined to plant trees. Despite numerous challenges, Tony discovered the power of FMNR—a method that regrows...

Fern Sutherland, born in New Plymouth, began her acting career as a lead artist in short films produced by the UNITEC Performing Arts School. She gained early experience in theatre, appearing in productions such as Silo Theatre's Ensemble Project 08 and the Auckland Theatre Company's plays. Transitioning to television, Sutherland took on roles in South Pacific Pictures productions, including appea...

Georgia Lines has quickly risen to prominence in New Zealand's music scene with her infectious personality and R&B-infused pop sound. In 2022, she won Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the Aotearoa Music Awards and was nominated for Best Pop Artist alongside Lorde and Benee. Her EP "HUMAN" debuted at #1 on the Official Top 20 NZ Album charts, driven by the success of 'Faith', which topped NZ...

Warning: This article discusses suicidal ideation. One of New Zealand’s most experienced journalists has opened up on his brush with death – and how a subsequent battle with depression has enabled him to become a “wounded healer” for those in need. Rob Harley, whose storied 50-year career has seen him work in current affairs for TVNZ, in radio, as a church pastor and a documentary maker, has earne...

Kevin has been a fixture in the Aotearoa New Zealand film industry for over thirty years. He directed the highly successful Air New Zealand Nothing to Hide Brand campaign. His other celebrated projects, which have become cultural icons in New Zealand, include the Mitre 10 “Sandpit,” Toyota “Everyday People,” and the National Depression Initiative, which featured rugby legend Sir John Kirwan. Durin...

Mark Richardson is a former professional cricket player who represented New Zealand in 38 test matches in the early 2000s. After his cricketing career Mark found his way into broadcasting via commentary for Sky Sport and co-hosted the popular show The Crowd Goes Wild on Prime. Mark's broadcasting career expanded beyond sports with roles on The Block NZ and The AM Show. Mark also spent a year hosti...