Casting trans actors to play trans characters can change lives

We talk to the cast and crew of Rūrangi about how positive trans representation can save lives.

For queer youth in NZ, homelessness is a real fear

1 in 5 trans people in New Zealand have experienced homelessness. We look at why.

Covid closed Ōtāhuhu's only art gallery, but there's a novel way to keep it going

Vunilagi Vou provided a dedicated space for contemporary Pacific art, and was the only art gallery in Ōtāhuhu. The financial pressures of Covid made maintaining this…

Women of colour get candid about racism in NZ

“They could’ve stayed where they were feeling comfortable, but they decided to move to a whole new country just for their children.”

“And they never let us…

In pictures: my life as a refugee in New Zealand

For 30 years New Zealand’s annual refugee quota sat at 750 people. In 2018 that number rose to 1000 and next month it will increase further…

Golriz Ghahraman on writing her own story

Golriz Ghahraman is telling her story of growing up in Aotearoa. She has worked as a United Nations lawyer and is now a member of Parliament…

Abuse is an everyday reality for female gamers

It’s 8.05pm in Wellington and Ayla Holland is about to jump online to play Overwatch. Tonight she’ll be flying through the air shooting at her friends…

Comedian David Correos teaches us his potato salad recipe, which is fancier than it sounds

Potato salads have been the butt of jokes about bland, Karen-esque food for a while now. But this is not your average potato salad. Comedian David…

As attitudes shift, more wāhine are carrying moko kauae

More wāhine are carrying moko kauae as we work to dismantle the impacts of colonisation.

Bailey Wiley on the power of your family calling you out for your bullsh*t

Last year, Bailey Wiley won the NZ Music Award for Best Soul/RnB Artist. At the time, her baby girl was five weeks old. We join Bailey…

Troy Kingi spent a year researching his Taite Award-winning album, then wrote it in two weeks

Troy Kingi has committed to writing ten albums in ten genres in ten years. Fresh off a Taite Music Prize win - one of the most…

Revealed: New Zealand's top five underground rappers, judged by Smoke and Church

Red Bull is searching for the next big thing in New Zealand hip hop. Here's an exclusive look at the five finalists chosen by Church (Church and…

For former refugees, trauma doesn’t stay in the past

Bilal Nasier fled the Afghan Civil War with his family aged four, travelling for three months to come to Aotearoa. He now dedicates his life to…

Black New Zealanders on how hip hop finally gave them a place to belong

“When I was growing up in primary school, they weren’t used to the African face or the African features. The only people I saw who looked…

When They Ask You: a new poem by Mohamed Hassan

Journalist and poet Mohamed Hassan performs his poem 'When They Ask You' in this bonus video from Third Culture Minds.

Third Culture Minds is a mental health…

A Muslim journalist on the mental health impact of reporting on Islamophobia

"So much of our story, I think, has been told for us.”

Black Lives Matter solidarity march: "It happens here in this country"

"It happens to me. That's why I'm here." With less than 24 hours notice, thousands of New Zealanders gathered to protest against racism and police violence…

Intern Arwen meets an AI named Josie

Re: intern Arwen has a fascination with artificial intelligence. New Zealand businesses are catching on too with over half saying that AI is or will be…

Meet the 25-year-old behind New Zealand's Covid fight

Tara Swadi is only 25 but she's the chief advisor for the Ministry of Health's Covid-19 response. The last two months have been... busy. She's looking…

The 'Bob Ross' of Māori carving has become an overnight streaming sensation

Twitch streamer Broxh loves his culture and his art form, and he wants to share it with the world. During lockdown, he started streaming his whakairo…

How to make a beat with SWIDT producer Smokeygotbeatz

Whether it's some snare drums or a packet of Yum Yum noodles, SWIDT producer Smokeygotbeatz knows how to use sounds to create a bouncy, catchy beat.…

Sound Check: HIGH HØØPS on how NZ music can emerge stronger from Covid

The music industry is suffering, but it might emerge from this pandemic stronger than before.

Sound Check: Randa rejects the productivity myth

And they talk gender identity, and dealing with OCD before and during Covid.

This group is helping men heal their own violence

New Zealand Police investigate a domestic violence case every four minutes. The members of Tauawhi Men's Centre in Gisborne are working to overcome this problem…

Sound Check: Folk singer Holly Arrowsmith is rebuilding a housebus and her dreams

All of Holly's shows for the year are cancelled, so now she's turning an old bus into a house.

Live music's fight to survive Covid-19

It's estimated the NZ live music industry has lost $68 million due to Covid-19. Musicians, venue owners and all those who love music are rallying us…

Sound Check: Indie-pop duo Imugi 이무기

Yery and Carl tell us how they're looking after themselves as the music industry slows down.

Melodownz turned self-affirmations into a catchy hook

During a rough time in his life, Melodownz repeated positive affirmations to himself in the mirror. Then he realised the mantras made a pretty sweet hook.…

New Zealand lifts its lockdown after seven weeks

Here are some scenes about town as we emerge from our cocoons. We visit a cafe and hair salon to see how they're switching up how…

Beautiful post-lockdown reunions to make you cry

Take two minutes to soak up the love and joy in these level 2 reunion moments. Then give your loved ones some bone-crushing hugs!

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