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

Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the ACT Party, David Seymour was first elected to Parliament as the MP for Epsom in 2014. He also holds Associate Minister portfolios across Education, Health, Finance, and Justice.
Raised in Whangārei with a background in engineering and philosophy, David brings a unique blend of practical problem-solving and big-picture ideas to everything he does. 
Whether he’s debating policy in Parliament, pushing for regulatory reform, or stepping into the public eye beyond politics (like his infamous turn on Dancing with the Stars), David is known for his sharp wit and candid style.

<p>Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the ACT Party, David Seymour was first elected to Parliament as the MP for Epsom in 2014. He also holds Associate Minister portfolios across Education, Health, Finance, and Justice.<br>Raised in Whangārei with a background in engineering and philosophy, David brings a unique blend of practical problem-solving and big-picture ideas to everything he does.&nbsp;<br>Whether he’s debating policy in Parliament, pushing for regulatory reform, or stepping into the public eye beyond politics (like his infamous turn on Dancing with the Stars), David is known for his sharp wit and candid style.</p>

David Seymour - ACT Party leader

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/a5e30aa5-40db-4b89-a27d-b4c40185f5bb/transcript

Chris serves as the Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition.Born in the Hutt Valley, he completed a Bachelor of Arts in political science and criminology at Victoria University of Wellington.Before entering politics, he worked as a policy advisor for the Industry Training Federation and a training manager for Todd Energy, as well as serving as a parliamentary advisor to Trevor Mallard and Helen Clark.He became the leader of the Labour Party in January 2023 and has served as Leader of the Opposition since November 2023.

<div class="x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="white-space: pre-wrap; overflow-wrap: break-word; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-inline: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: 'Segoe UI Historic', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(5, 5, 5); 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;">Chris serves as the Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition.</div>
</div>
<div class="x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="white-space: pre-wrap; overflow-wrap: break-word; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-inline: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: 'Segoe UI Historic', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(5, 5, 5); 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;">Born in the Hutt Valley, he completed a Bachelor of Arts in political science and criminology at Victoria University of Wellington.</div>
</div>
<div class="x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="white-space: pre-wrap; overflow-wrap: break-word; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-inline: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: 'Segoe UI Historic', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(5, 5, 5); 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;">Before entering politics, he worked as a policy advisor for the Industry Training Federation and a training manager for Todd Energy, as well as serving as a parliamentary advisor to Trevor Mallard and Helen Clark.</div>
</div>
<div class="x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="white-space: pre-wrap; overflow-wrap: break-word; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-inline: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: 'Segoe UI Historic', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(5, 5, 5); 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;">He became the leader of the Labour Party in January 2023 and has served as Leader of the Opposition since November 2023.</div>
</div>

Chris Hipkins - Labour Party Leader

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f3bc2ba5-faf5-47d3-959e-b4bd0088257d/transcript

Samantha is a powerhouse of New Zealand arts and culture, whose work has shaped the careers of generations of Kiwi performers. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of the legendary Massive Theatre Company—which originally kicked off in 1991 as the Maidment Youth Theatre.

For over three decades, she has been a tireless champion for our rangatahi (youth), creating a free, accessible launching pad for raw, homegrown storytelling.

An MNZM recipient, an award-winning director, and even a former director on Shortland Street, her impact on our creative landscape is monumental.

<p>Samantha is a powerhouse of New Zealand arts and culture, whose work has shaped the careers of generations of Kiwi performers. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of the legendary Massive Theatre Company—which originally kicked off in 1991 as the Maidment Youth Theatre.<br class="html-br"><br class="html-br">For over three decades, she has been a tireless champion for our rangatahi (youth), creating a free, accessible launching pad for raw, homegrown storytelling.<br class="html-br"><br class="html-br">An MNZM recipient, an award-winning director, and even a former director on Shortland Street, her impact on our creative landscape is monumental.</p>

Sam Scott - Founder of Massive Theatre Company

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/cdba55e3-fa47-4a48-8ff6-b4b600853b5d/transcript

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

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