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Madison Nonoa: Born to be on stage

Oct 11, 2026 | Kōrero

“I was in all the orchestras, all the choirs, all the barbershops, everything. I think it’s quite cool that I never went through any period when I was thinking: ‘What would I like to be when I grow up?’” — Soprano Madison Nonoa, who stars in NZ Opera’s ‘The Pearl Fishers’. Read More

Jemarl Paerata: I was pretty lost, but now I have purpose

Oct 11, 2026 | Kōrero

“I was deeply unhappy. I think people looking in from the outside would have thought: ‘Oh, he’s got it together,’ but there was no one coming to put this fire out.” — Former firefighter Jemarl Paerata on transforming his mental health. Read More

Whose knowledge counts?

Oct 11, 2026 | Reflections

“Feeding our tamariki lunch at schools may never pass the cost-benefit test, because an exclusively market-driven appraisal is anchored in money, not manaaki.” — Dr Pounamu Jade Aikman, in his book ‘Whose Knowledge Counts? From Warp Drive to Waka Huia.’ Read More

Tainui Stephens: An open book

Oct 4, 2026 | Kōrero

“I got to do what I wanted to do right from the very beginning — to contribute to a kaupapa of our storytelling that I knew was growing. And to be able to investigate the Māori world, and at the same time consolidate my place in it.” — Tainui Stephens, filmmaker, storyteller, and E-Tangata columnist. Read More

Why our Pacific Rainbow stories need to be told

Oct 4, 2026 | History, Reflections

“Without elders they can see and a history they can access, each generation of Pacific Rainbow people can feel as though they’re the first to navigate sexuality, culture, family and faith.” — Andre Afamasaga on wishing he’d found his elders sooner. Read More