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Because it's our last week, we're introducing a new segment for this week only Great New Zealanders of Christmas series, and today we are delighted to welcome and Die Hendward, comedian, author, documentary maker and all around goodkey. We get a die, Yeah Die?

Because it's our last week, we're introducing a new segment for this week only Great New Zealanders of Christmas series, and today we are delighted to welcome and Die Hendward, comedian, author, documentary maker and all around goodkey. We get a die, Yeah Die?

How did you guys beat Olympians, international rugby players, politicians and warriors in the six hole Ambrose format at the Royal Auckland and the Grange Golf Club. How the hell did you win that one?

How did you guys beat Olympians, international rugby players, politicians and warriors in the six hole Ambrose format at the Royal Auckland and the Grange Golf Club. How the hell did you win that one?

Die?

Die?

Well?

Well?

We were you say that the politicians would be easy beats, but they were the team we were directly up against, and we had politicians from all over the political spectrum, from right to far right. We had John Key, David Seymour and Max Key. John Key and Max lovely guys. And for nominal golfers David Seymour. I was really intrigued just to see how he swings at golf club and having having done dancing with the start of him. He was surprisingly more fluid than I was expecting. But basically what we did is Jeremy Wells myself combined our powers, threw them away and let Mark Richardson do all.

We were you say that the politicians would be easy beats, but they were the team we were directly up against, and we had politicians from all over the political spectrum, from right to far right. We had John Key, David Seymour and Max Key. John Key and Max lovely guys. And for nominal golfers David Seymour. I was really intrigued just to see how he swings at golf club and having having done dancing with the start of him. He was surprisingly more fluid than I was expecting. But basically what we did is Jeremy Wells myself combined our powers, threw them away and let Mark Richardson do all.

Yeah, there's something about an international sports person that makes him very good at golf as well. No matter who you are, you can be a funny guy that you are, You can be you know, the sort of zombie that sits beside Hillary Barry on a couch somewhere. But when it comes to sports, they cross code, don't they.

Yeah, there's something about an international sports person that makes him very good at golf as well. No matter who you are, you can be a funny guy that you are, You can be you know, the sort of zombie that sits beside Hillary Barry on a couch somewhere. But when it comes to sports, they cross code, don't they.

Oh absolutely they, especially the cricketers and okay, sports sports people really that ingrain competitive streak sinks in. You know, like Mark Richardson had had a bit of a lot of shaker off the tee, but he hit it out of bounds and then he just dialed in and didn't have a bad shot after that. Whereas I got there early, I I was looking for Jerry. He was on the range and you'd know this, Matt. I thought Jerry was a very stiff mid sixties man when I saw him from afar, He's got a very stiff gate about him. And then up close I saw him and he was really warming up and he played some amazing golf. So I'd say I didn't let the team down, but I was very much the vibe guy.

Oh absolutely they, especially the cricketers and okay, sports sports people really that ingrain competitive streak sinks in. You know, like Mark Richardson had had a bit of a lot of shaker off the tee, but he hit it out of bounds and then he just dialed in and didn't have a bad shot after that. Whereas I got there early, I I was looking for Jerry. He was on the range and you'd know this, Matt. I thought Jerry was a very stiff mid sixties man when I saw him from afar, He's got a very stiff gate about him. And then up close I saw him and he was really warming up and he played some amazing golf. So I'd say I didn't let the team down, but I was very much the vibe guy.

But did Jeremy have some drinks on the course.

But did Jeremy have some drinks on the course.

Yeah, he was running quite a timed operation on it as well. His caddy was mainly trying to keep I think between point six and point eight on the breast the entire time. He wasn't concerned about clubs. He was concerned about Okay, we go two beers, then a hole off, then one more beer. Is keeping him at a at a perfect level.

Yeah, he was running quite a timed operation on it as well. His caddy was mainly trying to keep I think between point six and point eight on the breast the entire time. He wasn't concerned about clubs. He was concerned about Okay, we go two beers, then a hole off, then one more beer. Is keeping him at a at a perfect level.

And how it worked, Yeah, you won? Who had the drive power?

And how it worked, Yeah, you won? Who had the drive power?

Die?

Die?

I take it you would have taken that on. You know, Jerry's got the reach, but you're a powerful man.

I take it you would have taken that on. You know, Jerry's got the reach, but you're a powerful man.

Oh. That that's the thing. I I have sort of quite a buff winning the Pooh type pH zeke and I a low center of gravity, but I can really smack it. And the best thing is a lot of the people standing around the te box they weren't They didn't know a lot about golf, so all they cared was if you hit the leather off it. So I hit my one of my drives, I think, a couple of holes over over an entire forest of trees, and they probably got the biggest applause of the whole afternoon.

Oh. That that's the thing. I I have sort of quite a buff winning the Pooh type pH zeke and I a low center of gravity, but I can really smack it. And the best thing is a lot of the people standing around the te box they weren't They didn't know a lot about golf, so all they cared was if you hit the leather off it. So I hit my one of my drives, I think, a couple of holes over over an entire forest of trees, and they probably got the biggest applause of the whole afternoon.

Yeah, no one, kids, estraighted as and like when he the Pooh you play with no pants on as well? Hey ya, Die, what was your highlight for What was highlight for you in twenty twenty four? Die?

Yeah, no one, kids, estraighted as and like when he the Pooh you play with no pants on as well? Hey ya, Die, what was your highlight for What was highlight for you in twenty twenty four? Die?

I like for me in twenty twenty four, I'd have to say was making this cancer documentary and putting a book out because it was something that was obviously very close to me. I'm still going through a journey with cancer, but it was unlike sort of just making stuff that's purely comedy, that's me talking rubbish. This actually has turned out to become quite a poignant sort of cancer resource for people who are on a similar trial or have loved ones going through it. And the feedback and love I've got from all sections in New Zealand has massively helped me on my journey, and I have to say it's the bit of work I'm most proud of. Well.

I like for me in twenty twenty four, I'd have to say was making this cancer documentary and putting a book out because it was something that was obviously very close to me. I'm still going through a journey with cancer, but it was unlike sort of just making stuff that's purely comedy, that's me talking rubbish. This actually has turned out to become quite a poignant sort of cancer resource for people who are on a similar trial or have loved ones going through it. And the feedback and love I've got from all sections in New Zealand has massively helped me on my journey, and I have to say it's the bit of work I'm most proud of. Well.

I can thoroughly recommend your book and that documentary. It's phenomenal stuff quality but will also rip your heart out.

I can thoroughly recommend your book and that documentary. It's phenomenal stuff quality but will also rip your heart out.

Oh thanks mate, And yeah, it was so nice being able to just get it out there. And also alongside that just been traveling around New Zealand, going back to the old school routes because, as you said at the beginning, media isn't an interesting situation. There's a few less TV bits and bobs than I normally do. So I've been doing a lot of live shows like the old days, and it's been awesome.

Oh thanks mate, And yeah, it was so nice being able to just get it out there. And also alongside that just been traveling around New Zealand, going back to the old school routes because, as you said at the beginning, media isn't an interesting situation. There's a few less TV bits and bobs than I normally do. So I've been doing a lot of live shows like the old days, and it's been awesome.

Yeah, just on the feedback that you got, Die, I imagine for a lot of families out there dealing with it, it can be a bit of a lonely journey. Has that been nice to you know, share your own journey and get that feedback and say, hey, we're not alone in this. We you know, there's other people that we can learn in our own journey.

Yeah, just on the feedback that you got, Die, I imagine for a lot of families out there dealing with it, it can be a bit of a lonely journey. Has that been nice to you know, share your own journey and get that feedback and say, hey, we're not alone in this. We you know, there's other people that we can learn in our own journey.

Oh, Bollie is so right, mate, because it's it's weirdly is something that is a very lonely journey. However, so many people are affected by it, you know, like it's a disease that's everyone knows someone who's going through it. And the best feedback I've had is wives of your classic k WE males we're going through cancer. They don't really talk about their feelings and why it's get in touch with me going, hey, now I know what my husband's going through because he keeps it tight lipped, he keeps stoic, for me and the family, So being able to provide a bit of understanding, and also every day I'm getting emails from people all over the country and it's amazing connecting with him so now, but I'm super proud of that.

Oh, Bollie is so right, mate, because it's it's weirdly is something that is a very lonely journey. However, so many people are affected by it, you know, like it's a disease that's everyone knows someone who's going through it. And the best feedback I've had is wives of your classic k WE males we're going through cancer. They don't really talk about their feelings and why it's get in touch with me going, hey, now I know what my husband's going through because he keeps it tight lipped, he keeps stoic, for me and the family, So being able to provide a bit of understanding, and also every day I'm getting emails from people all over the country and it's amazing connecting with him so now, but I'm super proud of that.

Now.

Now.

You and I are big fans of philosophy. We punish each other quite really with it. What piece of feedback or advice has resonated most with you this year.

You and I are big fans of philosophy. We punish each other quite really with it. What piece of feedback or advice has resonated most with you this year.

It's weird.

It's weird.

It's the piece of feedback that's always there and is the hardest thing to do because every cancer patient goes you know, the bit that you read that you passed.

It's the piece of feedback that's always there and is the hardest thing to do because every cancer patient goes you know, the bit that you read that you passed.

On and then I'm trying to do is the living at the moment bit, right, because with when you're going through cancer treatment, say you're doing chemo every second week or something, that week off when you actually feel vaguely okay can feel like so such a long time. So if you can just live in the moment, which is the hardest thing, and my sort of piece advice for trying to live in the moment is to sit down, just close your eyes and try and hear every single sound that you can. And that's really worked for me.

On and then I'm trying to do is the living at the moment bit, right, because with when you're going through cancer treatment, say you're doing chemo every second week or something, that week off when you actually feel vaguely okay can feel like so such a long time. So if you can just live in the moment, which is the hardest thing, and my sort of piece advice for trying to live in the moment is to sit down, just close your eyes and try and hear every single sound that you can. And that's really worked for me.

Yeah, I mean that's something and it sounds tripe for someone that isn't going through what you're going. But that's that's just true for everyone and in everyone, because everyone's everything's fine out, everything's everything's here for a short amount of time, and so yeah, if you can take a second to enjoy what is here, it's phenomenal. Hey.

Yeah, I mean that's something and it sounds tripe for someone that isn't going through what you're going. But that's that's just true for everyone and in everyone, because everyone's everything's fine out, everything's everything's here for a short amount of time, and so yeah, if you can take a second to enjoy what is here, it's phenomenal. Hey.

Well, also just quickly, everyone everyone thinks of their time on this planet in years, like in terms of I'm on it for so many years. But if you do that, all you're comparing it to is the time you're not on the planet, which is infinity. So it doesn't matter if you're here for a short time or no matter how long you're here, it's always a short time. Just enjoyed today, that's all it matters.

Well, also just quickly, everyone everyone thinks of their time on this planet in years, like in terms of I'm on it for so many years. But if you do that, all you're comparing it to is the time you're not on the planet, which is infinity. So it doesn't matter if you're here for a short time or no matter how long you're here, it's always a short time. Just enjoyed today, that's all it matters.

Yeah, nice, she said.

Yeah, nice, she said.

So what does Christmas look like for the Henwood family.

So what does Christmas look like for the Henwood family.

Oh, it's a bit of a good looking Christmas. My mom comes up from Wellington. She bases herself pee Har, beautiful spot in west Auckland. My wife's family is sort of west Auckland as well. So we just we just trades our way through the wait Tuckertes, eating good food and end up at it, end up about it, pee Har, doing a find a little present unwrapping with the kids and a big turkey feed. Then I inevitably I can't stand Christmas pudding, so I just douse it with too much brandy and try and burn the house down.

Oh, it's a bit of a good looking Christmas. My mom comes up from Wellington. She bases herself pee Har, beautiful spot in west Auckland. My wife's family is sort of west Auckland as well. So we just we just trades our way through the wait Tuckertes, eating good food and end up at it, end up about it, pee Har, doing a find a little present unwrapping with the kids and a big turkey feed. Then I inevitably I can't stand Christmas pudding, so I just douse it with too much brandy and try and burn the house down.

It's like a good dime you.

It's like a good dime you.

Got someone to plug?

Got someone to plug?

Die?

Die?

Have you got somebody to plug tour next year?

Have you got somebody to plug tour next year?

I understand, Oh yeah, for next year. I've been trying to do it to her, which has taken me so long between cancer treatments. It's my die Hard show. You saw bits and bobs of it in the in my cancer documentary. And I'm going to Taranaki and apl with the Hawks Bay. Actually I'm over in Hastings and down at in the cargo and you can go to laugh with die dot com for all the details.

I understand, Oh yeah, for next year. I've been trying to do it to her, which has taken me so long between cancer treatments. It's my die Hard show. You saw bits and bobs of it in the in my cancer documentary. And I'm going to Taranaki and apl with the Hawks Bay. Actually I'm over in Hastings and down at in the cargo and you can go to laugh with die dot com for all the details.

Well, that leads nicely into the next question, Best Christmas movie, Best Christmas song.

Well, that leads nicely into the next question, Best Christmas movie, Best Christmas song.

It's I mean, I've never been a big Christmas songs person. For me, Merry Christmas brackets. I hope you don't fight Tonight by the Ramones As a cracker of a June. I love Pogue's fairy Tale of New York, which is that's just that's the one to put on at the end of Christmas whenever runs a bit sozzled and once they have a single and listen to the words. And the Christmas movie is the animated version of The Grinch who came out twenty eighteen, and just my kids, both of them loved it. And that's the one that we tend to watch two or three times in the in the lead up to Christmas, and it puts me in the mood.

It's I mean, I've never been a big Christmas songs person. For me, Merry Christmas brackets. I hope you don't fight Tonight by the Ramones As a cracker of a June. I love Pogue's fairy Tale of New York, which is that's just that's the one to put on at the end of Christmas whenever runs a bit sozzled and once they have a single and listen to the words. And the Christmas movie is the animated version of The Grinch who came out twenty eighteen, and just my kids, both of them loved it. And that's the one that we tend to watch two or three times in the in the lead up to Christmas, and it puts me in the mood.

You like that one over the Gymas You like that one over the Ron Howard Jim Carrey one.

You like that one over the Gymas You like that one over the Ron Howard Jim Carrey one.

Yeah, I do.

Yeah, I do.

Actually I don't know. I never geled with the Jim Carrey one.

Actually I don't know. I never geled with the Jim Carrey one.

Well I see both of them in the top ten on Netflix. So people love the Grinch and but.

Well I see both of them in the top ten on Netflix. So people love the Grinch and but.

The state of the top ten on memph it's a very good point.

The state of the top ten on memph it's a very good point.

Okay, finally you've got got a message for New Zealand for twenty twenty five day.

Okay, finally you've got got a message for New Zealand for twenty twenty five day.

Look, my message to the whole all of New Zealand, and it needs to spread through the world, is we need to bring a little bit more love to proceedings and something I think we should all bring back the civilized disagreement where you can just have a conversation with someone, argue a point and then have a hug at the end of it. We don't need to flame war each other. Who cares if people believe different things. We can all live under the same tent. And I mean I grew up with My parents had friends on completely the opposite side of the political spectrum, but they were best mates. They'd have a few wines, have a spracking argument, and then we'll be cooking bacon sandwiches together the next morning. Love there so civilized disagreements. Bring them back and spread a bit more love.

Look, my message to the whole all of New Zealand, and it needs to spread through the world, is we need to bring a little bit more love to proceedings and something I think we should all bring back the civilized disagreement where you can just have a conversation with someone, argue a point and then have a hug at the end of it. We don't need to flame war each other. Who cares if people believe different things. We can all live under the same tent. And I mean I grew up with My parents had friends on completely the opposite side of the political spectrum, but they were best mates. They'd have a few wines, have a spracking argument, and then we'll be cooking bacon sandwiches together the next morning. Love there so civilized disagreements. Bring them back and spread a bit more love.

Bless you die. You're a great New Zealander. Thanks so much for talking to us. Have a great Christmas and look forward to hang out with you in twenty twenty five.

Bless you die. You're a great New Zealander. Thanks so much for talking to us. Have a great Christmas and look forward to hang out with you in twenty twenty five.

I love you all, celebrate well and take care

I love you all, celebrate well and take care

For more from us to set b listen live on air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio.

For more from us to set b listen live on air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio.