On Monday, news broke that beloved Kiwi actor Sir Sam Neill had died at the age of 78, after his family issued a statement online. 

In 2016, he spoke to Real Life with John Cowan on Newstalk ZB after the release of the iconic Kiwi film, Hunt for the Wilderpeople. 

Neill spoke to Cowan about overcoming a childhood stutter, his love for Otago, what inspired his move into winemaking, and a key mentor who helped build his acting career. 

LISTEN ABOVE

<p>On Monday, news broke that beloved Kiwi actor Sir Sam Neill had died at the age of 78, after his family issued a statement online.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In 2016, he spoke to Real Life with John Cowan on Newstalk ZB after the release of the iconic Kiwi film, Hunt for the Wilderpeople.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Neill spoke to Cowan about overcoming a childhood stutter, his love for Otago, what inspired his move into winemaking, and a key mentor who helped build his acting career.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>LISTEN ABOVE</strong></p>

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

From the Archives: The late Sir Sam Neill in 2016 on his childhood stutter, winemaking, and mentors

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/cc6bfd07-89a1-474c-96e4-b48700515235/transcript

Angus Gillies is the author of the so-called Ruatoria Killings series of non-fiction investigations. He has worked as a journalist and producer at TV3 for 20 years, and has written biographies of Matthew Ridge, Adam Parore, Justin Marshall and John Rowles.

<p>Angus Gillies is the author of the so-called Ruatoria Killings series of non-fiction investigations. He has worked as a journalist and producer at TV3 for 20 years, and has written biographies of Matthew Ridge, Adam Parore, Justin Marshall and John Rowles.</p>

Angus Gillies - Author and TV Producer

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/09594a8f-fe6a-495c-b8d5-b48c00854dfd/transcript

Backed by more than two decades of elite global experience, Paul recently made history. Essence, located in Queenstown, was named the sole two-star establishment in the country's first ever Michelin Guide.

Paul has also enjoyed stints at legendary two Michelin star hubs in Singapore and Hong Kong as well as working out a decade long legacy as Executive Chef at Huka Lodge.

Tune in to hear of his incredible journey from a kid dreaming of Michelin kitchens to reaching the pinnacle of New Zealand's dining scene, his passion for wild foraging, and why making history won't change a single thing about how he runs his kitchen.

<p>Backed by more than two decades of elite global experience, Paul recently made history. Essence, located in Queenstown, was named the sole two-star establishment in the country's first ever Michelin Guide.<br class="html-br"><br class="html-br">Paul has also enjoyed stints at legendary two Michelin star hubs in Singapore and Hong Kong as well as working out a decade long legacy as Executive Chef at Huka Lodge.<br class="html-br"><br class="html-br">Tune in to hear of his incredible journey from a kid dreaming of Michelin kitchens to reaching the pinnacle of New Zealand's dining scene, his passion for wild foraging, and why making history won't change a single thing about how he runs his kitchen.</p>

Paul Froggatt - two Michelin Star chef

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/8d76adf1-71e9-4bb2-a900-b48500843dc6/transcript

Matthias was appointed as the new permanent cellist of NZTrio in February 2026.Matthias began playing the cello at the age of three and completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Waikato at just seventeen.His career has taken him across Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia and Aotearoa as a soloist, chamber musician and with the Ares Trio. He has performed with orchestras including the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonietta Köln, Auckland Chamber Orchestra and Opus Orchestra. He performs on a Reiner Beilharz 2014 cello with a Klaus Grünke bow.His first performances with NZTrio were during the Magnifique concerts in May, followed by the Four Last Songs tour with soprano Emma Pearson coming up in October and the Hypnotique tour in November.

<div class="x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="white-space: pre-wrap; margin-inline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; font-family: 'Segoe UI Historic', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(8, 8, 9); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: start;">Matthias was appointed as the new permanent cellist of NZTrio in February 2026.</div>
</div>
<div class="x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="white-space: pre-wrap; margin-inline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; font-family: 'Segoe UI Historic', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(8, 8, 9); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: start;">Matthias began playing the cello at the age of three and completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Waikato at just seventeen.</div>
</div>
<div class="x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="white-space: pre-wrap; margin-inline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; font-family: 'Segoe UI Historic', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(8, 8, 9); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: start;">His career has taken him across Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia and Aotearoa as a soloist, chamber musician and with the Ares Trio. He has performed with orchestras including the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonietta Köln, Auckland Chamber Orchestra and Opus Orchestra. He performs on a Reiner Beilharz 2014 cello with a Klaus Grünke bow.</div>
</div>
<div class="x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="white-space: pre-wrap; margin-inline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; font-family: 'Segoe UI Historic', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(8, 8, 9); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: start;">His first performances with NZTrio were during the Magnifique concerts in May, followed by the Four Last Songs tour with soprano Emma Pearson coming up in October and the Hypnotique tour in November.</div>
</div>

Matthais Balzat - Cellist for NZTrio

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/4d64c219-6da9-4f78-998b-b47e0084b6ba/transcript

From the Archives: The late Sir Sam Neill in 2016 on his childhood stutter, winemaking, and mentors

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