Sophie has been elected Mayor of Dunedin, becoming only the second woman to hold the role in the city’s history. An incumbent councillor, Barker secured 16,001 votes, finishing 726 votes ahead of runner-up Andrew Simms in the preliminary results. In her post-election message, Barker expressed gratitude to the community for their support, saying she…

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Chris has lived and worked in West Auckland for most of his life, serving the Te Atatū community for 15 years as its Member of Parliament and as a government minister. Well known for his commitment to representing all constituents regardless of their political views. His priorities remain focused on being responsive to community concerns and ensuri…

Nadia Lim is a New Zealand chef, nutritionist, and farmer who lives and works on Royalburn Station — her family’s high-country farm on the Crown Range in Central Otago — with her husband Carlos and their three sons. At Royalburn, Nadia leads a regenerative approach to food production, growing grains and seeds, producing pasture-raised eggs, honey, …

David Bussau, founder of Opportunity International Australia, began life in an Anglican boys’ home and started his entrepreneurial journey at 15 with a rented hotdog stand. After building several successful businesses, he turned to aid work following Cyclone Tracey and an earthquake in Bali, where he realised traditional aid didn’t break poverty cy…

Creed Bratton is an American musician and actor, best known for playing a fictionalised version of himself on NBC’s The Office. A former member of the 1960s rock band The Grass Roots, he has also released several solo albums. He studied drama at the College of the Sequoias and Sacramento State College before leaving to travel and pursue music. His …

Greg Murphy is a NZ motorsport icon whose impact on V8 Supercars is indisputable. Known for his fearless approach and ability to perform against the odds, he has earned a reputation as one of the sport’s greats, with over 400 race starts, multiple Bathurst 1000 victories, and stints with some of Australasia’s top teams. Beyond the track, Murph has …

This week, John's guest will be Alex Walls co-host of Love It or List It.Alex Walls is a New Zealand interior designer best known as one half of Alex & Corban, co-founder of A&C Homestore (also known as achomestore), and a familiar face from The Block NZ and Love It or List It NZ. With over a decade of experience in residential design, Alex is also…

Andy Robinson is the Acting Head of Fragile and Developing Contexts, International Partnerships for World Vision New Zealand See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.由Newstalk ZB

Sam Gibson, better known as Sam the Trap Man, grew up beside the Hamanatua Stream in Tairāwhiti Gisborne. From an early age, the bush was where he truly belonged—hunting, fishing, trapping and living wild. As a teenager starting to go off the rails, a unique deal between his parents and teachers let him swap school for the outdoors. It was a turnin…

Author, literary advocte and founder of Verb Wellington, joined John on Real Life this week. Claire Mabey won the NZSA Best First Book at the recent New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults earlier in 2025, and spoke to John from the Edinburgh International Book Festival. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Ian Foster is a New Zealand rugby coach and former fly-half born in Putāruru. He played a record 148 games for Waikato and 28 for the Chiefs, also appearing for the NZRFU President’s XV in 1995. Foster began coaching with Waikato before joining the All Blacks as assistant coach in 2012, helping win the 2015 Rugby World Cup. He became head coach in …

David Squire (MMus (Hons), PGDipMus, BMus, DipTchg) is one of New Zealand’s leading choral conductors and Music Director of the New Zealand Youth Choir. Under his direction, the choir has toured internationally to high acclaim, with standout performances at Notre-Dame in Paris, Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA, and major wins at the International Fes…

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Jared Savage is an investigative reporter for the New Zealand Herald and has won more than a dozen national and international journalism awards, including being named New Zealand’s best reporter twice. He lives in Tauranga with his wife and children. He began reporting in 2004 after completing a Bachelor of Communications at AUT and landing his fir…

Fraser Grut is the kiwi filmmaker behind the '10,000 Dreams' project, his plan to record and publish the aspirations of 10,000 individuals. The project started as a bet with a friend, and has now ballooned into a globe-trotting project. At age 27, Fraser was broke and going through a divorce when a call came from The Wiggles asking him to film a mu…

Jon joined the Kiwibank Board as Chair in November 2019. He has had a distinguished career and has held senior roles across a diverse range of commercial and not for profit organisations in several countries, including chair of SkyCity, deputy chair of ASB Bank and Sovereign Assurance Company, director of Mighty River Power and Air NZ, a trustee of…

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Nicola Toki is a New Zealand conservationist and Chief Executive of Forest & Bird since 2022. Born in Invercargill, she grew up exploring the South Island, moving often for her father’s work as a ski-plane pilot. With a background in zoology, ecology, and natural history filmmaking, Nicola has held various roles at the Department of Conservation, i…

Miriama Kamo is a Christchurch-born journalist, author, and TV presenter of Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Mutunga descent. She’s spent over two decades telling powerful stories on Sunday and Marae, earning top awards for her work in current affairs. She’s also a celebrated children’s author, known for her Matariki-inspired books, and co-founder of Kotahi Rau…

Alan Thorp is the Group Chief Executive Officer of Habitat for Humanity New Zealand, a role he’s held since 2021. With a background as a Chartered Accountant and a Master’s in Theology from Regent College in Vancouver, Alan brings a unique mix of head and heart to his leadership. Since joining Habitat in 2007, he’s taken on key roles including CFO,…

Brian Kelly MNZM has been named a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to broadcasting. Raised in Whanganui, he began his career in 1970 with the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation, selecting songs for national radio. He later moved into sports journalism and broadcasting, building a career that has spanned 55 years. Kelly ha…

2025 Billy T Award winner Hoani Hotene (Ngāti Hauā) is a comedian from Petone, Lower Hutt. Bursting onto the Wellington comedy scene in 2020, Hoani quickly made a name for himself with his high-energy, alternative style. He won Best Newcomer at the 2021 Wellington Comedy Awards, took out the 2022 Wellington Raw Quest final, and was crowned Funniest…

Siân Simpson is an award-winning global businesswoman, community builder, and broadcaster. She is a sought-after public speaker and whose online content has received around 10 million views in the past year. Sian is founder of Public Rally and Bountifull Media. Public Rally is a community and content agency with globally focused clients in the tech…

Andrew Little was born in New Plymouth in 1965 and attended New Plymouth Boys' High School. He started working young—his first job was digging trenches for a methanol plant as part of the “Think Big” project. He later worked in timber yards and security before heading to Victoria University of Wellington to study law, philosophy, and public policy.…

Derek Lind has been writing songs and making music since the late 1970s, with seven albums to his name — including his latest, SOLO (2015). His songwriting has earned him two NZ Music Awards and a nomination for the APRA Silver Scroll, thanks to his honest, thoughtful lyrics that connect personal stories with bigger, universal themes. Critics have …

Rachel’s debut novel, See How They Fall, will be published this year by Hachette in Australia and New Zealand and by Penzler Publishers in the United States. The screen rights have been optioned by a Hollywood production company, and Rachel is part of the 2024/2025 International Thriller Writers Debut Authors Program. She holds a Master of Creative…

Buzz Moller is a New Zealand musician and actor, originally from Upper Hutt. He went to Upper Hutt High School, Rathkeale College and later studied at the University of Auckland. He met longtime collaborator Andrew “Mac” Macaskill, and the pair formed the beginnings of the band Voom after jamming at the Sweetwaters Festival in the early '80s. Since…

Adam Kay is a BAFTA-winning author, screenwriter, comedian, and former junior doctor, best known for his brutally funny memoir This is Going to Hurt. The book became a global sensation, spending over a year at number one in the Sunday Times bestseller list, selling millions of copies, and being adapted into a hit BBC/AMC series starring Ben Whishaw…

Josephine Bartley has been showing up for the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki community for over a decade — first on the Local Board, then as a city councillor. She’s the first Pacific woman elected to Auckland Council, and she’s not afraid to get stuck in, whether it’s helping clean up after floods, pushing for fewer liquor stores, or standing up for safer st…

Born in Wellington in 1944, Peter struggled at school with what would now be recognised as dyslexia. He left Wellington Tech at age 15 and worked as a telegram delivery boy before securing his first butchery job in Seatown, where he learned the trade. After moving to Auckland, Peter opened his own butchery on Rosella Road, where a sign outside his …

Kahira Olley (Ngāti Rongomai, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Toa), after experiencing family violence for 25 years, established the Save Our Babies Charitable Trust and initiated programmes to support and empower victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse in Rotorua. Her initiatives offer a safe space for women and girls to talk about their experiences and…

Paul Goldsmith is a dedicated New Zealand politician, currently serving as the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Minister of Justice, Minister for Media and Communications, and Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations. Born in Mt Eden and educated at Auckland Grammar, he now lives in Epsom with his wife and four children. Elected to Parl…

Ruby Wax, born on April 19, 1953, in Evanston, Illinois, is a British-American actress, comedian, writer, and mental health campaigner. She gained fame on TV shows like Girls on Top (1985–1986) and The Full Wax (1991–1994) and worked as a script editor on Absolutely Fabulous (1992–2012). Wax holds dual citizenship and has lived in the UK since the …

Delaney Davidson, from Auckland, New Zealand, is a multi-talented singer-songwriter, producer, and instrumentalist. The son of John William Davidson and Glyn Ellen Abbott, he grew up in Christchurch and was educated at the Christchurch Rudolf Steiner School. His musical journey began in punk and blues bands before moving to Melbourne after being ex…

Commissioner Janine Donaldson is the Territorial Commander for The Salvation Army in New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa, and serves as the Chair of the Territorial Governance Board. With 38 years of experience in The Salvation Army, she has held senior leadership roles in New Zealand, Zambia, South Africa, Australia, and the UK. Janine's most rece…

Peter Wolfkamp’s passion for carpentry began at the age of one and has only grown over the years. He is a Licensed Building Practitioner with extensive experience, including restoring historic properties and working on modern builds. His professional development includes NZGBC Homestar Home Coach training, and he’s also worked internationally, such…

K'Lee (Kaleena Renae McNabb, born 1984) is a New Zealand pop singer who rose to fame in the early 2000s with hits like "Broken Wings" and "Can You Feel Me?" Her debut album, released in 2002, peaked at No. 4 in New Zealand. After a 10-year break, she returned in 2012 with the single "Tables Have Turned." In addition to her music career, K'Lee worke…

Nathan Haines is a renowned New Zealand jazz musician, born in 1972 in Takapuna, Auckland. Growing up in a musical family, with his father Kevin being a leading jazz bassist and his brother Joel a guitarist, Nathan was immersed in music from a young age. He moved to New York City in 1991 to study jazz, and by 1994, he had released his first solo al…

Jonathan Fletcher has extensive experience in fundraising, partnerships, and business development, with a focus on supporting vulnerable children. Since March 2013, he has worked with World Vision New Zealand in roles including Head of Fundraising Partnerships and Head of Church Partnerships, where he managed church collaborations. Prior to this, J…

Jack Tame is a New Zealand television and radio journalist. He is the host of TVNZ’s political show Q+A and a presenter at Newstalk ZB. Tame grew up in Christchurch as the eldest of four siblings and attended St Martin's Primary School, Cashmere High School, and the New Zealand Broadcasting School at CPIT. Throughout his career, Tame has worked as …

Pam Corkery is a broadcaster and former MP, known for her roles on Dancing with the Stars and Intrepid Journeys, as well as hosting The Last Word in 2003. She also presented Inside New Zealand documentaries on topics like gangs, crime, and alcohol culture. In 2014, she made headlines after a controversial incident while handling press for the Inter…

Dan, born and raised in Auckland, left high school at 15 and completed a butchery apprenticeship. He earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) from the University of Auckland, and a Master of Public Policy in Economics from Harvard University on a Fulbright Scholarship. Elected to Parliament in 2018 and re-elected in 2023, Dan is …

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 …

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 Econom…

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…

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 in …

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 …

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 a…

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 Tes…