Can you imagine playing George Washington 700 times in one of the world’s biggest musicals? Matu Ngaropo tells all about Hamilton (the musical, not the town)
The aura of Matu Ngaropo hits you straight away, which is why it’s easy to see how he’s one of those performers who can do it all - and do it all well.
Matu works across film, television, and theatre. He took on one of the biggest roles of his career when he landed the part of George Washington in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton, performing across Australia and New Zealand an astonishing 700 times.
We geek out over what it takes to do something like that - and look ahead to another major role he has coming up in New Zealand next year, in & Juliet.
A fabulous kōrero with a wonderfully talented human!
--------
1:14:11
--------
1:14:11
Niki Bezzant on 'menowashing', ageism, and her mission to empower midlife women to become vibrant, kick-arse old ladies
Niki Bezzant never set out to become New Zealand’s “menopause woman”, but the journalist, author, and speaker is really leaning into that title now.
It was the Healthy Food Guide founding editor’s own experiences that made her realise how little support there was for women.
Today we cut through the bullshit and hear how brilliant Niki is at helping us understand hormones, health, and happiness in menopause, midlife, and beyond (which is also the name of her best-selling book!).
And for my lovely male listeners - yes, this one’s absolutely for you as well.
--------
1:01:23
--------
1:01:23
Nude Paul, Yacht Paul, Gin Paul, The Chase Paul, Breakfast Paul, Palm Springs Paul: Get to know who Paul Henry really is
Almost everyone has an opinion on Paul Henry. Good or bad, people have certainly made up their minds about one of the country’s best-known broadcasters.
But should we pump the brakes on always thinking about his time on Breakfast? Is there more to Paul Henry than those controversial one-liners from way back when?
The new The Chase New Zealand host sits down to chat about all the other things that make up Paul Henry.
Your mind may or may not change about him - but give it a crack!
--------
1:42:33
--------
1:42:33
Claire Turnbull on burnout, food battles and taking back control of our brains (aka GET OFF YOUR SCREENS!)
Claire Turnbull is a nutritionist, best-selling author and professional well-being speaker.
What makes Claire so powerful is her lived experience. This isn’t some self-proclaimed “guru” pushing an agenda - Claire cuts through the shit and tells it like it is.
She cares because she’s been through it too: navigating disordered eating, dyslexia, depression, anxiety, postnatal psychosis, a brain injury, and now parenting a neurodiverse child.
Hearing Claire speak earlier this year was a game changer for me - and I hope this episode can be that for you too.
--------
1:21:09
--------
1:21:09
From 'useless' to unstoppable: René Heyde’s remarkable journey from trauma to Commonwealth Games glory - and beyond
René Heyde left his 14th school in Year 12 after a teacher told him he was “useless”.
He wasn’t. He was a kid surviving a traumatic childhood, just trying to find his way.
A few years later, after a chance ride through the streets of Christchurch, René was wearing a New Zealand jersey at the 1974 Commonwealth Games - and bringing home a bronze medal. At the closing ceremony, he and a team-mate even stopped the Queen’s Land Rover in its tracks.
Fifty years on, at 70, René cycled nearly 4,000 kilometres across Australia to raise money for Cholmondeley Children’s Centre - the place that helped him through his toughest years.
René’s story is a reminder that no matter where you start, it’s never too late to grab life by the handlebars and ride it for all it’s worth.
Welcome to Kiwi Yarns - those yarns you have where you sit down, put the kettle on, pour a whiskey or crack open a beer I honestly don‘t mind. Anyway! We‘re sitting down and we’re yarning to some great New Zealanders, their back stories, their front stories, even stories where they went sideways, we will go there. It’s a place where we celebrate the great people of this glorious nation.
New Zealand