Conversations With Wāhine

Anita Lowry (Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa , Ngāti Porou) is the Chief Executive of RespectEd Aotearoa, a charitable trust dedicated to an Aotearoa free from sexual violence and its harm. She has a background in union advocacy in pay equity and has contributed to kaupapa Māori and feminist organisations including Te Whare Rokiroki Māori Women’s Refuge and the Board of Wellington Rape Crisis.

Anita is recognised for her leadership in the prevention of sexual violence and building safer, more equitable communities across Aotearoa.

Paige Tapara is a New Zealand singer-songwriter and key team member at Play It Strange, a trust facilitating youth songwriting, where she works in marketing, operations, and mentorship. Known for her own pop success, she now helps run national songwriting competitions, judges projects, and mentors students in the music industry.

In recognition of May - Menstrual Awareness Month, join us for a conversation with Ragnar Anderson, Senior Research and Policy Advisor at Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa. Ragnar’s work and research explore sexuality, wellbeing, and parent-child communication around bodies, relationships, and reproductive health. Among other things, we chat about the Wheel of Fertility and the importance of early menstrual awareness, breaking stigma through education and open dialogue, and how communities can support healthier, more informed conversations about sex and reproductive wellbeing.

A few of our co-hosts interview some 2026 Newtown festival-goers!

Harita interviews Kristin Paulse.
Kristin Paulse is a South African–born, Auckland–raised performer now based in Melbourne. She  is deeply grateful and incredibly proud to be returning home to join the New Zealand company of  &Juliet. After spending the past three years working and touring extensively across Australia, this homecoming holds special significance as she steps onto New Zealand stages once again,  surrounded by the community that first nurtured her love of performance. 
Australian theatre credits include Hairspray (Dynamite), Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (cover Tina  Turner and ensemble), and most recently Mimi Marquez in RENT at the Sydney Opera House — a  career highlight and her first lead role in Australia. 
In New Zealand, Kristin appeared as Gloria in Madagascar the Musical and Chiffon in Little Shop  of Horrors at The Court Theatre. She also toured nationally as Tina Turner in Showtime Australia’s  Simply The Best – The Tina Turner Tribute Show, performing in theatres across the country.  Alongside her theatre work, she has been a regular performer at live music events around Tāmaki  Makaurau.  
Kristin is especially humbled to be part of bringing &Juliet to Aotearoa and to share the stage with  such extraordinary Kiwi talent. Leading this production on home soil is a true full-circle moment,  and she feels immense gratitude for the audiences, mentors and supporters who have shaped her  journey from Auckland to Australia and back again. 
Beyond musical theatre, Kristin is a singer-songwriter who releases original music under the name  KRISTN, with her work available on all major streaming platforms. She dedicates this season to  her family and the community who have always championed her dreams. 
Kristin is currently starring in the Explora Journeys season of & JULIET, as Juliet herself. The musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told - Romeo and Juliet. & Juliet asks: what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? The all-kiwi cast is coming to the St James Theatre this May.