Ella Kumar is the current chair of Auckland’s Puketāpapa Local Board, and in 2010 she was the first Kiwi-Indian woman elected to a local board in the country. 

She's a qualified aerobics instructor, volunteer, marriage celebrant and is known for her passion for the community of Mt Roskill.

Kumar was recently awarded the Hall of Fame Award at the Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame Awards 2024 for her remarkable journey that inspires many Indian New Zealanders.

Ella Kumar is the current chair of Auckland’s Puketāpapa Local Board, and in 2010 she was the first Kiwi-Indian woman elected to a local board in the country.&nbsp;
She's a qualified aerobics instructor, volunteer, marriage celebrant and is known for her passion for the community of Mt Roskill.
Kumar was recently awarded the Hall of Fame Award at the Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame Awards 2024 for her remarkable journey that inspires many Indian New Zealanders.

John Cowan hosts ‘Real Life’, a weekly nationwide chat show on Newstalk ZB featuring a different high-profile guest every week. John talks with them about their life, their upbringing, their passions and their view of the world.

Real Life With John Cowan

Ella Kumar - Puketāpapa Local Board chair

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Vanda Symon is a New Zealand author known for her Detective Sam Shephard series, which includes five novels, starting with her debut, Overkill, published in 2007. The novel was written amidst the challenges of raising a young family and inspired by a sleep-deprived state that influenced its prologue. In addition to her series, she has also written a standalone psychological thriller titled The Faceless.

Vanda has a diverse background in both writing and science, having completed a PhD at the University of Otago that examined the communication of science through crime fiction. Her academic credentials include an undergraduate degree in Pharmacy, and she has worked as a community and palliative care pharmacist. Currently, she is a research fellow focused on dementia in aged Pacific people at Va’a o Tautai - Centre for Pacific Health. She also serves as the National President of the New Zealand Society of Authors.

Vanda has received various accolades throughout her career, including nominations for the CWA John Creasey New Blood Dagger award and the Ngaio Marsh Award for best crime novel. She also enjoyed hosting a monthly radio show, Write On, for eighteen years, where she interviewed writers and discussed literature. Outside of writing, she is actively involved in fencing as a competitor and a coach and is a founding member of the Dunedin Crime Writers Association.

Vanda Symon is a New Zealand author known for her Detective Sam Shephard series, which includes five novels, starting with her debut,&nbsp;Overkill, published in 2007. The novel was written amidst the challenges of raising a young family and inspired by a sleep-deprived state that influenced its prologue. In addition to her series, she has also written a standalone psychological thriller titled&nbsp;The Faceless.
Vanda has a diverse background in&nbsp;both&nbsp;writing and science, having completed a PhD at the University of Otago that examined the communication of science through crime fiction. Her academic credentials include an undergraduate degree in Pharmacy, and she has worked as a community and palliative care pharmacist. Currently, she is a research fellow focused on dementia in aged Pacific people at Va’a o Tautai - Centre for Pacific Health. She also serves as the National President of the New Zealand Society of Authors.
Vanda has received various accolades throughout her career, including nominations for the CWA John Creasey New Blood Dagger award and the Ngaio Marsh Award for best crime novel. She also enjoyed hosting a monthly radio show,&nbsp;Write On, for eighteen years, where she interviewed writers and discussed literature. Outside of writing, she is actively involved in fencing as a competitor and a coach and is a founding member of the Dunedin Crime Writers Association.

Dr Vanda Symon - Researcher and internationally published author

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Mark Vette is an internationally renowned animal psychologist, zoologist, and founder of Dog Zen, an online dog training program. With over 40 years of experience, he has trained animals for iconic New Zealand commercials, Hollywood films like The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia, and TV series such as Purina Pound Pups to Dog Stars and Dogs Might Fly. Mark is famous for teaching dogs to drive and fly a small plane.

A passionate advocate for rescue dogs, Mark has appeared in global campaigns promoting adoption. His training philosophy focuses on understanding dog behaviour to build loving, problem-free relationships between pets and their families.

Through his decades of work, Mark has helped thousands of dogs and their owners, continuously learning from the animals he works with and deepening his bond with them.

Mark Vette is an internationally renowned animal psychologist, zoologist, and founder of&nbsp;Dog Zen, an online dog training program. With over 40 years of experience, he has trained animals for iconic New Zealand commercials, Hollywood films like&nbsp;The Lord of the Rings&nbsp;and&nbsp;The Chronicles of Narnia, and TV series such as&nbsp;Purina Pound Pups to Dog Stars&nbsp;and&nbsp;Dogs Might Fly. Mark is famous for teaching dogs to drive and fly a small plane.
A passionate advocate for rescue dogs, Mark has appeared in global campaigns promoting adoption. His training philosophy focuses on understanding dog behaviour to build loving, problem-free relationships between pets and their families.
Through his decades of work, Mark has helped thousands of dogs and their owners, continuously learning from the animals he works with and deepening his bond with them.

Mark Vette - Animal trainer

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Maia Roos has rapidly ascended through the rugby ranks since debuting for the Auckland Storm in 2019. A talented athlete and leader, she served as Head Girl at Tamaki College and played two matches for the NZ Barbarians in 2020. Maia was also part of the inaugural Blues women’s team, further establishing her presence in the sport.

Roos made her Test debut for the Black Ferns against England in Northampton in 2021. As a key member of the team, she contributed to their victory in the Rugby World Cup 2021, culminating in her nomination for World Rugby’s 15’s Breakthrough Player of the Year following a standout tournament.

In 2023, Maia Roos made history by becoming the youngest captain of the Black Ferns at just 21 years old. She led the team against her country of birth, the USA, and guided them to victory in the 2023 Pacific Four Series. Her leadership qualities were further recognized when she was named co-captain of the Blues for the 2024 Super Rugby Aupiki season, alongside Ruahei Demant.

Maia Roos has rapidly ascended through the&nbsp;rugby ranks since debuting for the Auckland Storm in 2019. A talented athlete and leader, she served as Head Girl at Tamaki College and played two matches for the NZ Barbarians in 2020. Maia was also part of the inaugural Blues women’s team, further establishing her presence in the sport.
Roos made her Test debut for the Black Ferns against England in Northampton in 2021. As a key member of the team, she contributed to their victory in the Rugby World Cup 2021, culminating in her nomination for&nbsp;World Rugby’s 15’s Breakthrough Player of the Year&nbsp;following a standout tournament.
In 2023, Maia Roos made history by becoming the youngest captain of the Black Ferns at just 21 years old. She led the team against her country of birth, the USA, and guided them to victory in the 2023 Pacific Four Series. Her leadership qualities were further recognized when she was named co-captain of the Blues for the 2024 Super Rugby Aupiki season, alongside Ruahei Demant.

Maiakawanakaulani Roos

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b4c90cd1-4d33-4a7f-99ac-b21e0036b4e4/transcript

Ella Kumar - Puketāpapa Local Board chair

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