Conversations With Wāhine

Harita interviews Jenny Marcroft.
Jenny is a fascinating figure in New Zealand politics whose journey spans decades in the public eye, from a 30-year career in broadcasting to the halls of Parliament.
First entering politics in 2017 as the 141st female Member of Parliament, Jenny has carved out a unique path as a list MP for New Zealand First. Today, she serves as an Executive Under-Secretary, balancing heavy portfolios across Media and Communications, as well as Oceans and Fisheries.
In recent months, she has found herself at the centre of intense national conversation, championing high-profile legislative measures including an Accessibility Standards Bill and the deeply debated Legislation (Definitions of Woman and Man) Amendment Bill.
But beyond the political headlines, Jenny is a former life coach and journalist whose personal story is deeply rooted in New Zealand's history—her own great-great-grandmother was a signatory of the historic 1893 women's suffrage petition.
In this conversation, we dive into:
The Media Transition: What it's like shifting from a 30-year career asking the questions to being the politician under the microscope.
The Reality of the Executive: The daily juggle of managing complex portfolios like fisheries and broadcasting.
Navigating Lightning-Rod Legislation: Her perspective on drafting highly debated members' bills and handling the intense public scrutiny that follows.
Life as Curriculum: How personal challenges, resilience, and her family's political ancestry shape her guiding light today.
Whether you agree with her politics or not, Jenny Marcroft is a seasoned communicator who knows how to use her voice and why voting is so important.

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Harita interviews Minister Mark Patterson.   Mark is the Lawrence farmer who stepped into politics to ensure rural communities wouldn't be left behind.
As the Minister for Rural Communities, Mark handles everything from nationwide flood-warning infrastructure to championing premium Kiwi strong wool on the global stage.
We talk about the pressure of local council shake-ups, his vision for a fully electrified agricultural sector, and what it’s actually like to carry regional representation into the beehive.
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Harita interviews Ingrid Leary.
Born in Germany to a Dutch aristocrat mother and a Kiwi father, her family later moved to New Zealand, where her father overcame severe generational poverty to become a doctor. She went on to study law at the University of Otago, building an extraordinary career across law, international relation management, and journalism. In 2006, she was awarded the New Zealand Special Service Medal for her immense bravery broadcasting from the front lines of Aceh following the catastrophic 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.
After over a decade leading international relations as the Director of the British Council New Zealand, she stepped directly into the political arena. In 2020, she won the seat for Taieri, navigating a sprawling and diverse electorate that bridges urban Dunedin South and rural South Otago.
Today, she serves on the parliamentary Health Select Committee and holds critical roles as the Labour Party Spokesperson for Mental Health and Seniors, as well as for Sport and Recreation and the Community Sector. Known for her sharp advocacy on everything from climate adaptation in South Dunedin to systemic reforms in retirement village protections, she remains a fierce voice for equity and regional resilience.
Some of you may remember that I interviewed her in the lead up to the 2023 elections, so it's great to chat to her again in the lead up to the 2026 elections.
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Every so often, you meet someone whose life story doesn't just make you pause—it demands that you look closer at the invisible structures of power, control, and resilience operating right in our backyard.
Lindy Jacombwas born into a world defined by strict boundaries. Growing up multi-generational in the Exclusive Brethren—now known as the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church—her childhood in Auckland was built around daily chapel services, a clear-cut sense of 'us versus the world', and an expectation of absolute compliance. But at age 19, she did something dangerous: she started reading the teachings of Jesus directly from a tattered Bible and asking questions of her leadership.
By age 20, the verdict was handed down. She was excommunicated and cast out. Overnight, she faced total familial shunning—losing her parents, siblings, friends, and the only reality she had ever known, left to survive in a 'worldly' society she had been taught to fear.
But she didn’t just survive; she rebuilt. Today, she is a Bachelor of Theology graduate, a former Baptist pastor, a co-host of the Cult Chat Podcast, and a leading speaker at New Zealand’s premier cult awareness conference, DECULT. As the founder of the Olive Leaf Network, she has dedicated her life to providing a lifeline, advocacy, and practical aid to those escaping high-control religious groups.
She is also organising this amazing event on 28 October:   WELLINGTON - Cult Awareness & Recovery Evening with Rachel Bernstein
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Harita chats to Petrina D'Rozario.
The power of cinema to connect distant corners of the world, break institutional barriers, and give a voice to diverse communities is magical. Petrina has spent her life at the intersection of international filmmaking, creative leadership, and cultural advocacy.

She started her journey in mass media and went on to champion massive systemic changes, serving as the Founder President of Women in Film & Television India to rewrite the script for female representation behind the scenes. As a powerhouse producer and executive, she managed regional slates as the COO for Priyanka Chopra Jonas’s Purple Pebble Pictures—earning three National Awards—and served as Acting CEO for Drishyam Films, overseeing the globally acclaimed Oscar entry Newton.

After relocating to Aotearoa, she stepped into vital local leadership as the Head of Screen CanterburyNZ. Now, she is bridging our two nations as the founder and Festival Director of The Indian Film Festival New Zealand, bringing its highly anticipated premier edition to our screens between 23-26 October.
You can buy tickets to TIFFNZ films screening over Labour weekend here:   TIFFNZ 2026 | The Indian Film Festival New Zealand
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