Conversations with Wāhine

Harita chats to Beth Elsden. Every creative journey is marked by its own timeline. For some, it’s a sprint right out of the gates. For others, it’s a process of quiet development, patience, and learning to trust your own voice when the world around you is moving at hyperspeed. Beth spent years navigating that exact space—a feeling of personal and creative purgatory she beautifully coins as "the waiting room". Growing up, music was always the dream. She was writing songs at nine years old, doing musical theatre, and busking on the street. But as she entered her twenties, that fearless childhood confidence gave way to the universal inhibitions of self-doubt. She went off to the University of Otago to study psychology, theatre, and music, keeping her options open while her songs stayed largely tucked away in her bedroom. Everything shifted when she connected with Dunedin-based producer and artist Abby Wolfe. Together, they embarked on a five-year collaborative journey of quiet development, meticulously crafting a sound that blends cinematic, dream-pop textures with the kind of vulnerable, diary-style songwriting reminiscent of her idols, Taylor Swift and Lizzy McAlpine. Fresh off a feature in Rolling Stone Australia, she has officially stepped out of the sidelines. Her debut EP, The Waiting Room, unfolds like a gorgeous, emotional coming-of-age movie. It tracks the messy, beautiful spectrum of human growth—moving from the frustration of feeling left behind, through the unresolved cracks of heartbreak, all the way to the hard-earned gratitude of finding peace at the bottom of Aotearoa. We dig into the craft, the patience, the years of hidden work, and why making art matters more than ever.

Harita interviews Jenny Marcroft. Jenny is a fascinating figure in New Zealand politics whose journey spans decades in the public eye, from a 30-year career in broadcasting to the halls of Parliament. First entering politics in 2017 as the 141st female Member of Parliament, Jenny has carved out a unique path as a list MP for New Zealand First. Today, she serves as an Executive Under-Secretary, balancing heavy portfolios across Media and Communications, as well as Oceans and Fisheries. In recent months, she has found herself at the centre of intense national conversation, championing high-profile legislative measures including an Accessibility Standards Bill and the deeply debated Legislation (Definitions of Woman and Man) Amendment Bill. But beyond the political headlines, Jenny is a former life coach and journalist whose personal story is deeply rooted in New Zealand's history—her own great-great-grandmother was a signatory of the historic 1893 women's suffrage petition. In this conversation, we dive into: - The Media Transition: What it's like shifting from a 30-year career asking the questions to being the politician under the microscope. - The Reality of the Executive: The daily juggle of managing complex portfolios like fisheries and broadcasting. - Navigating Lightning-Rod Legislation: Her perspective on drafting highly debated members' bills and handling the intense public scrutiny that follows. - Life as Curriculum: How personal challenges, resilience, and her family's political ancestry shape her guiding light today. Whether you agree with her politics or not, Jenny Marcroft is a seasoned communicator who knows how to use her voice and why voting is so important.

Harita interviews Ingrid Leary. Born in Germany to a German aristocrat mother and a Kiwi father, German was her first language. Her family later moved to New Zealand, where her father overcame severe generational poverty to become a doctor. She went on to study law at the University of Otago, building an extraordinary career across law, international relation management, and journalism. In 2006, she was awarded the New Zealand Special Service Medal for her immense bravery broadcasting from the front lines of Aceh following the catastrophic 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. After over a decade leading international relations as the Director of the British Council New Zealand, she stepped directly into the political arena. In 2020, she won the seat for Taieri, navigating a sprawling and diverse electorate that bridges urban Dunedin South and rural South Otago. Today, she serves on the parliamentary Health Select Committee and holds critical roles as the Labour Party Spokesperson for Mental Health and Seniors, as well as for Sport and Recreation and the Community Sector. Known for her sharp advocacy on everything from climate adaptation in South Dunedin to systemic reforms in retirement village protections, she remains a fierce voice for equity and regional resilience. Some of you may remember that we interviewed her in the lead up to the 2023 elections, so it's great to chat to her again in the lead up to the 2026 elections.

Harita chats to Petrina D'Rozario. The power of cinema to connect distant corners of the world, break institutional barriers, and give a voice to diverse communities is magical. Petrina has spent her life at the intersection of international filmmaking, creative leadership, and cultural advocacy. She started her journey in mass media and went on to champion massive systemic changes, serving as the Founder President of Women in Film & Television India to rewrite the script for female representation behind the scenes. As a powerhouse producer and executive, she managed regional slates as the COO for Priyanka Chopra Jonas’s Purple Pebble Pictures—earning three National Awards—and served as Acting CEO for Drishyam Films, overseeing the globally acclaimed Oscar entry Newton . After relocating to Aotearoa, she stepped into vital local leadership as the Head of Screen CanterburyNZ. Now, she is bridging our two nations as the founder and Festival Director of The Indian Film Festival New Zealand, bringing its highly anticipated premier edition to our screens between 23-26 October. You can buy tickets to TIFFNZ films screening over Labour weekend here: TIFFNZ 2026 | The Indian Film Festival New Zealand

Harita interviews Paloma Schneideman and Ani Palmer. What does it mean to be a teenage girl who desperately wants to be seen as an adult, but deeply needs to be loved like a child? In this episode, we chat to the visionary writer and director Paloma Schneideman and incredible breakout actor Ani Palmer, the brilliant duo behind the quiet film festival juggernaut, Big Girls Don't Cry. Set against the backdrop of a sleepy, golden-sand New Zealand beach town during the sweltry summer of 2006, the film follows 14-year-old Sid (played with stunning, raw restraint by Ani in her onscreen debut). Desperate to escape childhood and reinvent herself, Sid finds herself caught in the intoxicating, messy orbit of wealthy out-of-town holidaymakers. It's a bittersweet, pre-smartphone slice of teendom complete with dial-up internet, dubstep, and MSN messaging facades. But beneath the nostalgic 2000s soundtrack and summer haze lies something much deeper and unflinchingly honest. Paloma and Ani join us to unpack how the film bravely "rips open" the complicated realities of queer adolescence, female shame, and the blurred lines between consent and the desperate desire for validation. In this episode, we dive into - The Genesis of Sid: Paloma shares how her own youth in rural New Zealand inspired this deeply intimate character study. - From Non-Actor to Festival Star: Ani talks about stepping into her first-ever acting role and capturing the fragile bravado of being 14. - The "Seen vs. Desired" Trap: A raw conversation about the liminal space between girlhood and womanhood, and why looking back at teenage sexual awakening can feel both confronting and deeply cathartic. - Working with Executive Producer Jane Campion: How the legendary filmmaker supported the development of this powerful debut through her film program, A Wave in the Ocean. Whether you lived through the 2006 MSN era or simply remember the terrifying thrill of trying to figure out who you are, this conversation is a beautiful, necessary gut-punch. Big Girls Don't cry is screening in cinemas now!

Harita interviews Minister Mark Patterson. Mark is the Lawrence farmer who stepped into politics to ensure rural communities wouldn't be left behind. As the Minister for Rural Communities, Mark handles everything from nationwide flood-warning infrastructure to championing premium Kiwi strong wool on the global stage. We talk about the pressure of local council shake-ups, his vision for a fully electrified agricultural sector, and what it’s actually like to carry regional representation into the beehive

Harita interviews Tom Rutherford and Suze Redmayne. When we talk about the future of New Zealand, it is easy to get caught up in the big, noisy headlines coming out of the Beehive. But if you want to understand where the country is actually heading, you have to look at the people pulling the levers behind the scenes—the electorate MPs balancing local, grassroots realities with the intense pressure of national policy. Today, we are sitting down for a deep, long-form conversation with two of the National Party’s key voices from the class of 2023. First, Suze Redmayne, the Member of Parliament for Rangitīkei. She’s a proud rural advocate, a co-founder of the award-winning Coastal Lamb brand, and the driving force behind proposed KiwiSaver amendments aimed at getting rural workers into their first homes. Joining her is Tom Rutherford, the Member of Parliament for the Bay of Plenty and Chair of the Justice Select Committee. As one of the youngest MPs in the house, he’s spent his term managing heavily debated legislation, from controversial move-on orders to sweeping infrastructure projects in the provinces. In this episode, we are skipping the standard seven-minute news soundbites. Instead, we are looking at the realities of the upcoming 2026 election cycle. We dive into what it really takes to balance primary production with climate targets, how the younger generation views law and order, and what happens when the isolation of regional life collides with the intense public scrutiny of Wellington.

Sophie and Harita interview Kate McDonald. If you’ve ever walked into a crowded room in Wellington and felt the electric, collective buzz of people talking about books, ideas, and storytelling, chances are today's guest helped build that room. Kate McDonald is the Co-Director of Verb Wellington, the creative force behind the beloved Verb Readers & Writers Festival and the iconic LitCrawl. Kate’s journey is a masterclass in creative leadership. She started at Verb six years ago as a volunteer, working her way up through many roles in the organization. Combined with years of experience coordinating events at the legendary Unity Books Wellington, Kate has a rare, ground-level understanding of what makes a literary community truly thrive. Today, she co-leads Verb alongside Gabrielle Vincent, championing inclusive spaces, amplifying marginalized voices, and reimagining how we gather to celebrate stories

Sophie and Harita interview Ricardo Menendez March. When we look at the state of politics today, it's easy to get caught up in the daily media cycle—the quick soundbites, the political sparring, and the surface-level debates. But every now and then, you encounter a leader whose entire life story functions as a direct challenge to the status quo. Ricardo is a Green Party List MP based in Mt Albert, Auckland, but his path to the halls of Parliament in Wellington was anything but traditional. Born and raised in Tijuana, Mexico, he moved to New Zealand as a young adult, working his way through the hospitality and care sectors. He experienced firsthand what it means to survive on a low income, face the anxieties of the immigration system, and witness the systemic gaps in our social safety net. Instead of letting those hardships isolate him, Ricardo channeled them into fierce, grassroots activism. As a coordinator for Auckland Action Against Poverty, he became a relentless voice for the marginalized, arguing that poverty is not a personal failure, but a deliberate political choice. Now, as the Green Party’s spokesperson for Social Development and Employment, he is taking that fight directly to the government. Whether he is championing a Universal Basic Income, fighting automated welfare decision-making, or advocating for migrant worker protections, Ricardo’s definition of being "radical" means going straight to the root of the problem. In this conversation, we’re stepping away from the 30-second news clips to look at the bigger picture. We explore what it really takes to move from the streets to the select committees, how his personal identity shapes his politics, and how he maintains the audacity to dream of a more equitable Aotearoa in a highly polarized political climate. This is the second time we've interviewed Ricardo. We interviewed him in the lead up to the 2023 elections and it was great to chat about his life as well as what has happened in those 3 years since we last interviewed him.

What does it take to stand as the unwavering voice for a region when the national political landscape is shifting beneath your feet? In this episode, Harita sits down with Rachel Boyack, the Labour Party MP for Nelson and an energetic force in New Zealand’s Shadow Cabinet. From the concert stage to the frontlines of union bargaining, Rachel’s path to Parliament Buildings in Wellington has been anything but conventional. As a trained singer with a Bachelor of Music and an alumnus of the New Zealand Youth Choir, she brought a fierce appreciation for the creative industries into public service. Before securing her seat in the 2020 election, she honed her advocacy skills as a dedicated student association president and a relentless regional organiser for FIRST Union, where she stood on the ground fighting to lift wages and guard conditions for working families across the top of the South Island. Now operating on the national stage, Rachel holds a diverse portfolio as Labour’s Spokesperson for: Arts, Culture and Heritage — Outspoken against local funding rollbacks, she treats the regional creative sector not just as a cultural pillar, but as a critical drivers of economic stability. Oceans and Fisheries — Championing immediate intervention and reviews to save threatened species like the nationwide whitebait fishery. Animal Welfare — Advancing protective standards across the board. In this deep-dive conversation, we strip back the standard political talking points. Rachel opens up about the bittersweet realities of local infrastructure battles—including the freshly contested Nelson Hospital inpatient rebuild—and why she views local climate adaptation and freshwater protection as the defining regional issues of our time. We also talk about her deep personal connection to the community, her volunteer work with the Nelson Women’s Refuge, and her drive to break the stigma around deeply personal trials like infertility and baby loss. Whether you care about the future of regional healthcare, the economic power of the arts, or what it truly looks like to navigate public life with authentic conviction, this is an episode you cannot afford to miss.