Two women whose lives were changed by the Pike River disaster open up about the real events that inspired the new film Pike River. Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse share their enduring friendship, the long fight for accountability, and what it means to see their story on screen.

Two women whose lives were changed by the Pike River disaster open up about the real events that inspired the new film Pike River. Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse share their enduring friendship, the long fight for accountability, and what it means to see their story on screen.

Paula Bennett's life journey has had plenty of ups and down - going from a teenage solo mum in Taupo all the way to deputy Prime Minister - but it's taught her a lot along the way. One thing she has learned is it’s never too late to learn something new.

In Ask Me Anything, Paula will be talking to Kiwis from all walks of life, to learn how they got to where they are, and to share stories, advice and guidance the rest of us can learn from.  New episodes out fortnightly on Sundays.

Paula Bennett's life journey has had plenty of ups and down - going from a teenage solo mum in Taupo all the way to deputy Prime Minister - but it's taught her a lot along the way. One thing she has learned is it&rsquo;s never too late to learn something new.
In Ask Me Anything, Paula will be talking to Kiwis from all walks of life, to learn how they got to where they are, and to share stories, advice and guidance the rest of us can learn from.&nbsp; New episodes out fortnightly on Sundays.

Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett

Pike River’s real-life friendship that inspired the film

Former NZSAS soldier Mark Law has lived the kind of life that barely sounds real. He completed SAS selection at just 18, survived a terrifying parachuting accident, worked armed security around diamond operations in Angola, hunted deer from helicopters and nearly died from a flesh-eating disease.

But he is best known for what happened on December 9, 2019. After Whakaari White Island erupted, Mark and his colleagues flew to the island and helped rescue 12 victims as authorities decided no official rescue mission would be sent.

On Ask Me Anything, Mark joins Paula Bennett to reflect on his remarkable life, what happened on Whakaari, the aftermath of the disaster and the lessons he has learnt about risk, resilience and staying calm under pressure.

Former NZSAS soldier Mark Law has lived the kind of life that barely sounds real. He completed SAS selection at just 18, survived a terrifying parachuting accident, worked armed security around diamond operations in Angola, hunted deer from helicopters and nearly died from a flesh-eating disease.
But he is best known for what happened on December 9, 2019. After Whakaari White Island erupted, Mark and his colleagues flew to the island and helped rescue 12 victims as authorities decided no official rescue mission would be sent.
On Ask Me Anything, Mark joins Paula Bennett to reflect on his remarkable life, what happened on Whakaari, the aftermath of the disaster and the lessons he has learnt about risk, resilience and staying calm under pressure.

Mark Law on the daring Whakaari rescue that saved lives

Award-winning journalist Charlotte Glennie joins Paula Bennett to reflect on a remarkable career that took her across Asia and into some of the world’s biggest stories.

She opens up about the eight-metre fall in Croatia that nearly killed her, the long recovery that followed, reporting on the aftermath of the Boxing Day tsunami, and why those experiences have stayed with her.

Charlotte also discusses the future of journalism, declining trust in the media, AI, and why she still believes deeply in the power of telling human stories.

Award-winning journalist Charlotte Glennie joins Paula Bennett to reflect on a remarkable career that took her across Asia and into some of the world&rsquo;s biggest stories.
She opens up about the eight-metre fall in Croatia that nearly killed her, the long recovery that followed, reporting on the aftermath of the Boxing Day tsunami, and why those experiences have stayed with her.
Charlotte also discusses the future of journalism, declining trust in the media, AI, and why she still believes deeply in the power of telling human stories.

Why Charlotte Glennie still believes in journalism

At 18, Paul Wood was convicted of murder and sent to prison. Eleven years later, he left with undergraduate and master’s degrees, before going on to earn a doctorate in psychology.

Dr Wood joins Paula Bennett to discuss the environment that shaped his early life, the reality of maximum-security prison and why education became his path out. He also shares what psychology tells us about changing habits, escaping a victim mindset and building a life driven by purpose rather than regret.

At 18, Paul Wood was convicted of murder and sent to prison. Eleven years later, he left with undergraduate and master&rsquo;s degrees, before going on to earn a doctorate in psychology.
Dr Wood joins Paula Bennett to discuss the environment that shaped his early life, the reality of maximum-security prison and why education became his path out. He also shares what psychology tells us about changing habits, escaping a victim mindset and building a life driven by purpose rather than regret.

Pike River’s real-life friendship that inspired the film

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