Conversations With Wāhine

Eleonora and Laura talk to Sara Dore, Director of Empower Physio & Pilates on the Kāpiti Coast, and one of New Zealand’s most experienced DMA Clinical Pilates clinicians.
With over 30 years in physiotherapy, Sara has spent nearly two decades teaching physios across New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. She specialises in pelvic health, breathing retraining, and rehabilitation, and is deeply passionate about helping people move well and feel well at every stage of life.
Tune in as we explore the power of Clinical Pilates, the importance of breath, and how targeted rehabilitation can transform the way we live, move, and age.
For more info:
Physiotherapy – DMA Physiotherapy | Clinical Pilates
Bradcliff Breathing Method NZ | Find a clinic
Physiotherapy for Pelvic Floor Disorders | Find a PNZ Physio
Pelvic Health Professionals | Find & Compare Pelvic Health Professionals
Continence NZ Pregnancy Guide
The bladder and pelvic floor | Jean Hailes
Menopause | Jean Hailes

Harita chats to South African comedian and actor, Schalk Bezuidenhout, ahead of his NZ tour, about his life as a comedian who tours the world, and what growing up in South Africa was like.
You can follow him on IG here: Instagram
He will be performing his latest show, Hey Hey Divorce, in Wellington on 11 March and Auckland on 13 March as part of the NZ comedy festival.  You can buy your tickets here: Schalk Bezuidenhout

Join Laura and Eleonora for a beautiful kōrero with Te Ataahia Hurihanganui.
We explored the responsibilities that come with cultural visibility, as a māmā first and foremost, but also through her growing consulting business, and her recent mahi with the NZ Festival of the Arts….but especially through the fear of unintentionally sparking a “fashion” of moko kauae in a tiny fishing village in Sicily.

Laura and Harita talk to Dr Siouxsie Wiles, a microbiologist by training and a passionate science communicator with decades of experience working with the media and collaborating with artists, designers, and illustrators. 
In 2019, she was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to microbiology and science communication. Siouxsie became a household name in New Zealand for her COVID-19 communication work, being named Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year in 2021. But this work also made her a target for harassment, abuse, and death threats, and in 2021, she began legal proceedings against her employer, the University of Auckland, over their lack of support. 
After a gruelling legal battle that finally ended earlier this year, the Employment Court ruled that the University had breached its contractual obligations to protect Siouxsie’s health and safety, as well as its good employer obligation, by failing to act in good faith, and awarded her $225,000 in costs and damages.

Harita chats to Meilani Payne and Madelain Vai-Little who are co-directors of this years Shooting Stars Pasifika Youth Initiative programme, Taula.
Meilani Payne is a Master's of Cross-cultural Psychology Student at Victoria University of Wellington going into her thesis year. From the island of Enuamanu, Atiu in the Cook Islands, she shows her dedication to equitable outcomes for her community through her studies and extra-curriculars. She is currently co-directing the shooting stars programme and has written various scenes for their upcoming showcase: Taula. 
Madelaine Vai-little is a graduate from Victoria University of Wellington, having studied Theatre and Media Studies. Maddy is a proud Samoan and Māori young wahine with a deep passion for Pasifika Performing Arts. This year, she went on a Performing Arts Education tour around New Zealand and has also been co-directing the shooting stars programme. Additionally, she has been a part of the writing process for the shooting stars upcoming showcase: Taula.
Shooting Stars:
Part of the Wellington Pasifika Festival, this programme sees a group of young Pasifika actors create a show which tells Pasifika stories. This performance is their theatre debut. The Shooting Star programme brings new artforms and performers to the Pasifika Festival, upskills a new cohort of Pasifika and Māori performers and celebrates Pasifika art. Created by Karl Kite Rangi with support from WCC City Events and with assistant directors Meilani Payne and Maddy Vai-Little. 
Taula:

Wellington City Council's Shooting Star Programme proudly presents an original theatre production, which debuts at the Hannah Playhouse on Saturday 7 Febrary 2026! This production centres themes of identity, belonging, the passing down of cultural traditions and the importance of family, both present and past. The story follows young people navigating their identity whilst figuring out their place in Educational spaces. Taula is performed by Māori, Pasifika and Asian rangatahi who are emerging and aspiring actors. Join us for a 50-minute show followed by a short talanoa/chat afterwards.

Booking Link: https://events.humanitix.com/shooting-star-programme
About the Pasifika Festival and Shooting Stars: https://wellington.govt.nz/news-and-events/events-and-festivals/pasifika-festival#shooting
 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/shootingstars.programme/