TVNZ's Renee Wright shares special bond with mum ahead of Mother's Day
Life is busy with her brood, so it's not often Renee gets the chance to tell her mum just how much she means to her, but today she's thrilled to reflect on their special bond.
Marian and her husband, Warren, who live nearby, see Renee and the kids most days and are happy to step in whenever back-up is required. They love being on the sports sidelines, hosting sleepovers, taking the grandkids on holiday, and simply being there to see their mokopuna grow.
'A lot of our relationship is based on this unspoken understanding,' shares Renee. 'It might sound weird, but I see it as such a gift because I don't need to tell Mum things. She knows me so well, she knows how I work and how I'm feeling, and she's always here when I need her. And it's the same with the kids. She understands them like I do – I don't need to explain anything.'
Former kindergarten teacher Marian, however, brushes away any suggestion she goes above and beyond for her eldest daughter's family. Spending time with the people she loves doesn't feel like a chore to her – she only wishes Renee's Aussie-based siblings Monique and Pete lived closer too.
'I've had people say, 'Why don't you get your own life instead of running around after your grandchildren?' And I say, 'Excuse me?! What else could be better than hanging out with my beautiful kids and my amazing grandchildren?' I find it incredibly fulfilling.
'The truth is, it has never been a struggle. I'm truly blessed to have them. They keep me young and active, and they make me laugh, which is the best thing. I dance with them, I can be crazy with them, and I really do have so much fun when I'm with them.'
It's been a big year of change for Renee's family, with the three oldest children all changing schools at the start of 2025. Leo is now at boarding school during the week, while Giselle and Arabella have moved to a school in another part of Auckland, and little Lucciana has started kindergarten. Renee admits to some nerves initially but says the children have taken it all in their stride.
'It felt quite daunting taking on such big changes all at once,' she confesses. 'But the kids have really rolled with it and they're thriving.'
Renee shares that saying goodbye to talented young sportsman Leo on Monday mornings still hurts a little bit, but with so much training and extracurricular activities, it made much more sense than him spending hours on public transport or in Ubers each day.
'We weren't planning on Leo being a boarder, but after a few days of the commute, we just realised we were being silly and that he'd be much happier being with all his mates in the week rather than sitting in traffic. He still comes home for the weekends, which is great.'
And while Renee never quite expected to be raising a toddler in her 40s, she says Lucciana – the surprise fourth baby she and Charlie welcomed in June 2022 – has brought a wonderful new energy into their lives.
The adorable tot keeps her mum on her toes with her endless energy and cheeky antics, but fortunately, Marian loves nothing more than helping out. In fact, Renee says her mother has far more energy and patience than she does at times.
'Seriously, give me a newborn any day over a toddler,' laughs Renee. 'I can do the sleep deprivation and the breastfeeding, but with toddlers, it's much more challenging! You have to have eyes on them constantly because they've got all the confidence in the world and zero skill.
'They're jumping off stuff and flipping things over. Lucciana is incredibly cute and funny, and we love her to bits, but she never stops. But Mum's high-energy too, though, so they're a good pair.'
While Renee has plenty keeping her busy at home, she continues to present the weather on 1News At Six one weekend a month. She looks forward to going into the studio, seeing her old friends and doing what she loves, but the star admits it's been tough seeing so many colleagues lose their jobs amid widespread cost-cutting at the state broadcaster. She feels grateful for her role, but she's certainly not taking anything for granted.
'I've been through periods of change at TVNZ many times over the years, but this feels different,' she says. 'The entire media industry is in such a tough spot and it's upsetting to watch it pan out. I love my job so much, and I know how hard journalists work and how passionate we are about our work.'
Renee, who started her career in radio almost 25 years ago, says she can't imagine doing anything else. Presenting the weather has connected her to New Zealanders in a way she'll always be grateful for.
'The weather means so much to Kiwis,' she enthuses. 'I love the way people come up to me in the street to talk about it. If someone's wedding is coming up, they'll say, 'Can you turn on the sunshine for me?' It's lovely.'
But with her beautiful children and tight-knit family, Renee says that whatever happens, her whānau will always come first. She knows how fortunate she is to have this time with the kids while they're young.
'Like every parent will tell you, nothing else matters really more than these little humans, and I know it's such a privilege to be at home seeing them grow. As long as they're okay, then I am too.'
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Very rudimentary songs began to emerge, with just me on acoustic guitar singing over a programmed loop or beat.' And with the world, and the in-progress American Utopia Broadway run, on pause, he, like much of humanity, took the opportunity to ask, 'Do I like what I'm doing? Why am I writing songs, or working this job, or whatever? Does any of it matter?' Byrne's attempts to answer those weighty questions can be found on Who Is The Sky?, which builds upon the optimistic themes laid out by American Utopia and its supporting tour, and more specifically spelled out by the Grammy-winning Broadway show and subsequent movie. With this offering, Byrne continues his lifelong exploration of human connection and the potential for societal unity against the chaotic backdrop of the world. 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Byrne will also return to the road with a brand-new live show in support of Who Is the Sky?. The touring band will be comprised of 13 musicians, singers and dancers, including members of the American Utopia band, and all of whom will be mobile throughout the set. The show will arrive in Auckland on 14th January, marking Byrne's first performance in Aotearoa since 2018. See full ticketing information below. In 2023, as his triumphant American Utopia era came to a close after morphing from an album and tour into an acclaimed Broadway show and then a Spike Lee- directed HBO film, Byrne began jotting down the occasional groove, chord or melody. It had been a minute. During the tumultuous three prior years, 'I did a LOT of cooking (Mexican and Indian mostly) and a LOT of drawing,' says Byrne, who also started compiling lyric ideas and phrases for possible songs. 'I've found that when the time comes, it's easier to start if there's a little stockpile – and before too long there was. Very rudimentary songs began to emerge, with just me on acoustic guitar singing over a programmed loop or beat.' And with the world, and the in-progress American Utopia Broadway run, on pause, he, like much of humanity, took the opportunity to ask, 'Do I like what I'm doing? Why am I writing songs, or working this job, or whatever? Does any of it matter?" Byrne's attempts to answer those weighty questions can be found on Who Is The Sky?, which builds upon the optimistic themes laid out by American Utopia and its supporting tour, and more specifically spelled out by the Grammy-winning Broadway show and subsequent movie. With this offering, Byrne continues his lifelong exploration of human connection and the potential for societal unity against the chaotic backdrop of the world. Who Is the Sky? is particularly cinematic, humorous and joyful, but often with a lesson baked in – that love is unexplainable, that enlightenment means very different things to different people and that it's always a good idea to moisturize, whether you wake up the next morning with skin like a baby or not. Most importantly, the songs evince Byrne's gift for riding the razor's edge of avant-garde and accessible pop. Byrne was inspired to enlist Ghost Train Orchestra for the album after hearing their 2023 tribute album to the blind New York composer and street poet Moondog, and later that year jumped on stage with the group during a Brooklyn performance. Enticed by the 15-member Ghost Train's varied instrumental lineup – which includes drums, percussion, guitar and bass along with strings, winds and brass – he thought to himself, 'what if that's what these new songs of mine sounded like?' Byrne asked if they'd want to serve as his band for the Who Is The Sky? sessions, and they quickly agreed. 'David sent me some demos and asked us to put together some orchestral ideas,' says Ghost Train Orchestra leader Brian Carpenter. 'Curtis Hasselbring and I quickly wrote a couple rough draft arrangements of his songs for Ghost Train, including ' My Apartment Is My Friend,' which was the first song we rehearsed at our tiny rehearsal space in Chinatown. To hear him singing with us for the first time on that song was just incredible.' Via an introduction at a party by a friend, Kid Harpoon came into the picture next. 'Sometimes things do happen at parties,' Byrne notes. 'I knew this could all get complicated and I also wanted to be sure the recordings sounded as good as possible. An outside set of ears can be super helpful. A few artists I knew had worked with Kid Harpoon, and I thought those records sounded really good.' Byrne sent Harpoon some demos, and after a discussion at the former's Santa Monica hotel, he jumped aboard too. There are 'more story songs than usual' on Who Is the Sky?, according to Byrne. These 'mini-narratives based on personal experience' include ' She Explains Things to Me ' (sample lyric: 'how come it's all so obvious to her?'), ' A Door Called No ' (which magically opens after Byrne receives a kiss), ' My Apartment Is My Friend ' ('you've seen me at my very worst / but we always get along,' he sings) and ' I Met the Buddha at a Downtown Party ' (at which the onetime spiritual guru is more interested in the unhealthy deserts than deification). Marked by the inviting vocal interplay between Byrne and Paramore's Williams, the jaunty ' What Is the Reason for It? 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'At my age, at least for me, there's a 'don't give a shit about what people think' attitude that kicks in,' Byrne says. 'I can step outside my comfort zone with the knowledge that I kind of know who I am by now and sort of know what I'm doing. That said, every new set of songs, every song even, is a new adventure. There's always a bit of, 'how do I work this?' I've found that not every collaboration works, but often when they do, it's because I'm able to clearly impart what it is I'm trying to do. They hopefully get that, and as a result, we're now joined together heading to the same unknown place.' David Byrne - Who Is the Sky? track list: Everybody Laughs When We Are Singing My Apartment Is My Friend A Door Called No What Is the Reason for It? 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After capturing the hearts of Kiwi listeners with his soulful new single ' I Like The Way ', Australian-born, Canadian-based artist Mikhail Laxton is heading to Aotearoa for his debut headline show happening on Friday 3 October at The Tuning Fork in Auckland. Tickets for this show go on sale Monday 16 June at midday from Moshtix. Laxton has been steadily rising in Canada's Americana and roots scene since relocating from Mossman, Queensland to Ottawa. A proud Aboriginal (Kuku Yalanji) artist, he has built a reputation for his rich, honeyed vocals, heartfelt songwriting, and deeply resonant live performances. His 2023 self-titled debut album drew critical acclaim and positioned him as a powerful new voice in what he calls 'outlaw soul' – blending classic Americana with the raw emotion and groove of soul music. Now, with a new album on the way, Laxton is leaning further into the soul and roots influences that have long shaped his sound. His single 'I Like The Way', a tender love song written for his wife, has found unexpected popularity with a New Zealand audience after a short teaser video went viral on TikTok. ' I actually visited New Zealand when I was 12 and I fell in love with the place,' explains Laxton. ' I was actually a little obsessed back in the day. So to have Aotearoa showing the kind of love it has been showing is really kind of like a little bit of a full-circle thing. Absolutely stoked that it is panning out this way and I can't wait to get down there with the people and have a great time.' Known for his emotional authenticity and connection with audiences, Laxton's live show has already seen him open for heavyweights like The Teskey Brothers and Kathleen Edwards. His first New Zealand appearance promises to be something truly special. Don't miss Mikhail Laxton's debut Aotearoa show at The Tuning Fork this October. Tickets available Monday 16 June at midday from Moshtix.
