Kiwi Yarns

It's Mental Health Awareness Week here in New Zealand so a warning: we will be discussing issues around mental health including suicide. My guest is Bryce Casey - a man who has done a remarkable job in this country at opening up about mental health struggles and by doing so has helped drop the stigma around talking about such a complicated issue. He’s also a very funny, talented broadcaster with a gorgeous family and is armed with some cracking yarns having worked at The Rock radio station for 20 years!Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP) Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) Healthline – 0800 611 116 Samaritans – 0800 726 666

Raf Manji is a man who throws his heart and soul into the work he does. The former London investment banker and Christchurch City Councillor has spent the past 18 months working in a voluntary capacity directly with the victims and families of the March 15 Terror Attack in Christchurch - in what he describes as his hardest job to date. His next goal is to get fairer financial support for the victims which involves knocking loudly on the Government’s door. Raf is genuinely one of those people the world really bloody well needs right now - I could’ve recorded this episode for hours more!

What did you to celebrate your 40th birthday? Well Jo Kane (aka my Mum) decided that it would be the year she would swim the Cook Strait. It's an amazing story, considering she first set her sights on the notorious piece of water at age 16. Jo talks about the endurance training and mental toughness she built up over many years, and how she was able to turn around and complete the swim just weeks after a failed attempt. And yes, there's a shark in this story.

Tanya Carlson has been a dominant fashion designer in New Zealand for over 20 years. One of the main reasons she has been successful for so long is because she's not afraid to move/pivot/change (you catch my drift) her label along with the ever-evolving fashion industry. Tanya remembers wanting to be involved in fashion as a young girl, dressing up to do her after-school chores - so it's no wonder she's one of the country's great fashion gems.

Paula Bennett is literally sitting in the departure lounge waiting to walk out of a hugely successful 15 year career - a delayed election means she's having to hang on in there just a little longer. But she's pumped about her next career move (which she can't quite tell us about yet) and is well and truly done with politics. But we share some great laughs about her time in Parliament and talk about the highs and lows - even the time someone told her her bare legs weren't acceptable! And her pick for three MP's to be stranded on a desert island with is quite interesting too!

Hamish Pinkham and his Rhythm and Vines team have just announced their line up for the three day festival in Gisborne at New Year's Eve. Here's the thing - 90% of tickets for this year sold out mere weeks after the 2019/20 festival had finished, and all tickets were gone before a single act was released. What's the secret? Well, Hamish talks through the 17 festivals that have got them to where they are today - and why now more than ever people can't get enough of R&V. There's a couple of great artists yarns in there too! Never been to a festival? This might just hook you in...

Joseph Parker is one of New Zealand's favourite sportspeople and it's not necessarily entirely down to his stellar boxing career. The former WBO Heavyweight Champ's humble and kind nature has been something that has set him apart from his opponents. He doesn't need a flashy entrance to a fight to prove who he is. Joseph also got himself a bit of a name this year for his hugely creative, very funny lockdown videos - and even admits he'd love to dabble in a bit of acting. He talks the challenges of being in such uncertain times this year, and how family has helped him get to where he is today. Oh yeah, and Joseph's never been to Hobbiton.

I have to admit a major bias towards this guest, because Hilary Barry has been a mentor to me over the years and during our last stint working together on Breakfast she was like my big sister. She's one of the country's most talented and loved broadcasters, through her utmost professionalism while on air, but also because it's so easy to see she cares. She's extremely hard working and passionate about what she does, but taught me a thing or to about leaving work at the door. In her spare time she loves to go out walking, but apparently has a weird walking style so look out for that!

Rob Nichol is the man behind the rugby players in New Zealand. He was a massive part of successfully bringing women's rugby into line with the men's conditions. But not just rugby, Rob has been an integral part of helping all types of professional sports people know their worth. Add to that, he was once a police officer, is a qualified accountant, and does ridiculously crazy adventure racing - the past two years he's hauled himself across the South Island in the Coast to Coast with a rugby player you might have heard of - Richie McCaw. A really fascinating listen!

Mimi Gilmour Buckley has so much passion for the New Zealand Hospitality Industry - the restaurateur and businesswoman literally completes one successful project and is already plotting the next. She co-founded the burger empire that is Burger Burger (if you haven't got your chops around one I suggest you get there immediately) and as if making a large dent in a highly competitive industry wasn't enough - Mimi has her sights set on a skincare business. Oh, and she has two beautiful girls, Olympia and Octavia. She discusses the challenges that have come along the way in a pretty non-stop life and how she is constantly learning and evolving. A wonderful woman!