Unfiltered With Dave Letele

This week, Dave sits down with Dean Clarkson — founder of Wana, New Zealand’s first men’s refuge for domestic violence — for a raw kōrero about his life, and surviving domestic violence as a man.

Although Dean grew up in a loving family, he lived through sexual abuse from both male & female family friends during his adolescence. As an adult, his 20-year marriage turned violent, leaving him feeling trapped with no where to turn to.

Those experiences are what led him to create Wana — so men have somewhere to go, something he never had. While most domestic violence is experienced by women, this conversation highlights the reality that men can be victims too — and why more people need to feel safe to speak up and get support.

Massive shoutout to Dean for coming onto the podcast: https://www.wana.services/
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This week, Dave sits down with Irie Love — global artist and storyteller — for one of the most powerful and wide-ranging kōrero on Unfiltered. From growing up in Hawai‘i, to navigating the highs and lows of the music industry — Irie opens up about trauma, identity, and finding her way back to herself.

She speaks on surviving some of her darkest moments, including battles with mental health, and how she transformed that pain into purpose — using her voice to empower women, reconnect with culture, and lead a movement of healing and self-worth. This is a deeply honest conversation about resilience, reclaiming who you are, and choosing peace in a chaotic world.
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This week, Dave sits down with Tyndale (Tee) Fiso — AKA The Sound of Tee — radio host and MC, for a raw kōrero about growing up around violence, addiction, and chaos in South Auckland. From hiding in his room as a kid, to almost going down the same path himself — Tee opens up about the moments that nearly broke him. 

He shares how he hit rock bottom — stuck in addiction, waking up and getting high every day, and losing sight of who he was as a father — before a turning point that changed everything. From coaching local teams, to speaking in schools, to building his own platform and eventually landing on radio — this is a story about breaking cycles, finding purpose, and proving it’s never too late to turn things around.
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This week, Dave sits down with Roimata Smail — Māori lawyer and author — to unpack Te Tiriti o Waitangi in simple, real terms. From what we’re taught in school, to what actually happened — she breaks down the foundations of Aotearoa, the loss of Māori land, and why it still impacts us today.

They also dive into the current state of the country, the backlash we’re seeing, and why education — not division — is the path forward. A powerful, honest kōrero about truth, history, and building a better future together.
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This week, Dave sits down with former Tall Black and broadcaster Brendon Pongia for a powerful kōrero about identity, resilience, and purpose. From growing up in Greymouth without knowing his father, to representing New Zealand and later helping raise millions for Cure Kids — Brendon shares the moments that shaped him. 

He also opens up about reconnecting with his Māori roots, the loss of his brother Quentin Pongia, and why giving back has become his life’s mission. A powerful conversation about grief, gratitude, and using your influence to uplift others.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.