Kiwi Yarns

Our beloved actress, Sara Wiseman has spent three decades gracing our screens - from stunt work during the Xena: Warrior Princess era to starring in A Place To Call Home and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.

You better believe we'll find out what it takes to become an ape at "ape camp".

Sara also discusses the moments that nearly made her quit acting and why she finds taking acting classes just as important now as ever.

And my word, does Sara love adventures! From trekking the Camino de Santiago, hiking Yosemite and a fascinating story about the "Vine of the Dead" - the a powerful psychoactive Amazonian tea Ayahuasca.

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What happens when one of the most respected coaches in world MMA starts using his platform to tackle violence outside the cage?

This week on Kiwi Yarns, we sit down with City Kickboxing head coach Eugene Bareman.

From coaching UFC stars like Israel Adesanya, Dan Hooker and Kai Kara-France, to launching the Walk Without Fear Trust after the tragic loss of friend and fighter Fau Vake, Eugene opens up about purpose, leadership and the responsibility that comes with influence.

We talk about the rise of MMA in Aotearoa, the reality behind UFC culture, why martial arts can transform lives, and the lessons Eugene wants young people to hear before it’s too late.

There’s also plenty on family, discipline, adversity and what keeps him grounded through the chaos of life at the top of the sport.
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We see our country's Armed Offenders Squad in the most serious of circumstances - but who are the people behind the helmets and balaclavas?

This week I met the amazing Sergeant Eseta Autagavaia, who, alongside being one of the few women in New Zealand Police's AOS, also plays netball at a professional level.

She talks about how physically and mentally challenging getting into the AOS was, and how that experience and being on the netball court complement each other.

From pre-planned jobs to unpredictable moments demanding calm under pressure, she shares how her mindset is her biggest weapon.

A fascinating look at the life of a pretty inspiring young woman.

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Award-winning comedian Pax Assadi is having a massive month as his new book, Mortified, hits the shelves. The book contains the most embarrassing things that have happened in his life, including a legendary mishap in a Pakistani mosque. Pax wants us all to lean into our cringe, and why he’s over the curated perfection we see on social media. We talk about his family’s escape from Iran, and his Baha'i faith, the concept of progressive revelation, and how his spiritual beliefs shape his view of a fractured world.
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Laura McGoldrick is everywhere. And that’s an understatement. The Sky Sport Presenter is in the bach this week for a really solid heart-to-heart. From our accidental wedding in Vegas, to the raw reality of motherhood and navigating devastating miscarriages.

Laura is hands down one of the most talented broadcasters on our screens, and it’s through hard work, hard slogs and dogged determination. She deserves the flowers every day of the week.

How she shuts out the noise of being in the public eye, how she does it all and still has time for more - and, is Ashwagandha the key to her success (spoiler: we don’t think so).
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