Latest news with #Culture101
1News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- 1News
Former All Black Keven Mealamu opens up on health and being in arts field
Most people will recognise former All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu for his sporting success, but a decade after retiring, he's now dabbling in the world of art as a board member of Crown entity Creative New Zealand. Born and raised in Tokoroa before moving to Auckland for high school, the Samoan rugby player says art has always been a part of his life, growing up with an artist mother and uncles, helping out at school plays and picking art as one of his favourite subjects. But he never imagined this field would be part of his future. 'I always thought I'd be illustrating a few more children's books, which I've been lucky enough to do. I think even governance, I don't think it's something that many people think about doing. I think I feel really very honoured and blessed and privileged to be able to do it.' While navigating the complex ecosystems of governance, having also joined the board of New Zealand Rugby, Mealamu has been on the mend after finding out he has a heart condition known as atrial fibrillation, which causes an irregular heartbeat. ADVERTISEMENT The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, Mama Hooch rapists appeal, Ukraine's new message to Russia, and Jason Momoa's plans here. (Source: Breakfast) Last year Melamu shared footage on social media showing him collapsing at a gym. He found out he had the condition after two heavy training bouts in preparation for a charity boxing event in 2022. 'Sometimes when I look back, I think to myself, 'what was I thinking?' But it's probably that mentality of coming out of professional sports, just loving the opportunity to challenge yourself,' Mealamu tells RNZ'S Culture 101. Since then, he's undergone medical procedures and been in and out of hospital. 'I had one done before Christmas and it had been in rhythm. But I found out a couple of weeks ago it's gone back into AFib again. 'I don't have the symptoms where some people find it really hard to walk or just comes on really spontaneously. But I'm able to control mine.' Keven Mealamu with his Blues teammate Jerome Kaino and the World Cup at Twickenham in 2015. (Source: Photosport) ADVERTISEMENT Bringing a lens that connects people Mealamu's ultimate dream to be an All Black was always a clear vision in his head. But he knew he couldn't just sit and wait around – someone had to pay the bills, he says. So while chasing a professional rugby career, he took on an apprenticeship opportunity that came via his school coach for sign writing. To get to his workplace, he remembers he would bike from Māngere to Ōtara, which he considered part of his training as well. 'I can't remember how many times I'd get a flatty and have to be shamefully walking my bike all the way home. So when I had the opportunity to go into rugby, it was probably one of the cool things. I was like, 'yes, I don't have to bike to work anymore'.' Now he sees how the two fields – art and sport - align in that they can both have an impact on the community. Keven Mealamu carries the ball during his last Test - the All Blacks World Cup final win against Australia in 2015. (Source: Photosport) ADVERTISEMENT 'You can feel the passion in what both art and sport do. You can feel the passion in who's presenting it,' Mealamu says. 'You look at one of the most influential rugby players around in the world at the moment, Ardie Savea, and just the way he expresses himself and the way he carries himself, there's a strong cultural bit to him as well.' Being at helm is a big part of who he is, he says, having captained the All Blacks three times and remaining a key part of the leadership group for more than a decade. 'I think what I do bring to the [Creative New Zealand] board is an authentic Pacific Island New Zealander leader. So that lens, I think, is really important. A lens that has been through community all the way to the very top of my sport but also work well with other leaders and community.' But if there's something he's wistful about, it's the fact he didn't join earlier. 'I just wish I was on earlier to be able to share that moment with my mum, because as proud as I am being able to have both my parents around as I became an All Black, this one also would have been something that she would have been really proud of as well.'
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Staging one of the greatest love stories in a 60s thriller
culture arts 44 minutes ago It's one of the greatest and most famous love stories and we already know how it ends before it begins. Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is now on stage with ATC - reenvisioned in a 60s thriller, high fashion style. Experienced theatre director, Benjamin Kilby-Henson has had a diverse career; taking theatre groups to the Edinburgh Fringe, directed shows for the Pop Up Globe, musicals for Court Theatre - and yet his shows often have a film or cinematic element and feel to them. Benjamin Kilby-Henson speaks to Culture 101 about how he first felt about the idea of bringing Romeo Juliet; such a well-known story to the stage.
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Jo Randerson's secret art powers revealed!
author interview books about 1 hour ago Artist Jo Randerson calls them Secret Art Powers. Superpowers that everyone, individually and collectively, has access to. These are the powers that artists use daily, but might help us all navigate complex, changing times. They are to be found in Jo Randerson's just released book Secret Art Powers: How Creative Thinking Can Achieve Radical Change. I's a book for everyone. Indeed - an endorser Bret Mckenzie describes it as a "miraculous book that feels like an escape hatch for humanity." Published by Barbarian, the company Randerson founded back in 2001, Randerson doesn't profess to have all the secrets, but they come with great qualifications to write this. A published poet and playwright, curator, and a performance director and actor, Jo became an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit back in 2021, and won the Topp Prize for embodying the wildcard spirit of the Topp Twins in 2023. And that radical wildcard spirit joins Culture 101's Mark Amery to reveal her secret powers.
RNZ News
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Screentime: Too Much, And Just Like That, Emmy nominations
Film and TV reviewer Perlina Lau joins Kathryn to talk about the new show from Girls creator Lena Dunham, Too Much. She'll also talk about the 3rd season of And Just Like That, the sequel to the hit show Sex and the City - why has it become the show people love to hate? And the Emmy nominations were announced yesterday - who's in and who's been snubbed? Perlina Lau is co-host of RNZ's Culture 101 programme
RNZ News
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Fast Favourites with war correspondent Lisette Reymer
books music 42 minutes ago From a farm in Waikato to the frontlines of the Ukraine war, former Newshub Europe correspondent Lisette Reymer never expected to be using her hostile environments training when taking on the job. 20 hour-work days, hiring security, going back and forth from bomb shelters; she's since moved back to Auckland and has written a memoir, No I Don't Get Danger Money. It details covering some of the most dangerous moments in recent history, defining moments in her life and the privilige of being able to walk away. Lisette Reymer joins Culture 101 for Fast Favourites.
