Rev Dr Miguel A. De La Torre is a Professor of Social Ethics and Latinx Studies at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado. He has held prominent roles, including President of the Society of Christian Ethics (2012) and Executive Officer for the Society of Race, Ethnicity and Religion (2012-2017). A distinguished Fulbright scholar and international lecturer, he is renowned for his advocacy of ethics of place, leading immersion classes in locations like Cuba, Guatemala, and the Mexico/U.S. border. His extensive speaking engagements include the Chautauqua Institute and the Parliament of World Religions. He has been honoured with several national book awards and is a frequent speaker on the intersection of religion with race, class, gender, and sexuality. In 2020, he received the Excellence in Teaching Award, and in 2021, the Martin E. Marty Public Understanding of Religion Award from the American Academy of Religion, making him the first scholar to receive both prestigious awards and the first Latinx to be honoured.

Rev Dr Miguel A. De La Torre is a Professor of Social Ethics and Latinx Studies at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado. He has held prominent roles, including President of the Society of Christian Ethics (2012) and Executive Officer for the Society of Race, Ethnicity and Religion (2012-2017). A distinguished Fulbright scholar and international lecturer, he is renowned for his advocacy of ethics of place, leading immersion classes in locations like Cuba, Guatemala, and the Mexico/U.S. border. His extensive speaking engagements include the Chautauqua Institute and the Parliament of World Religions. He has been honoured with several national book awards and is a frequent speaker on the intersection of religion with race, class, gender, and sexuality. In 2020, he received the Excellence in Teaching Award, and in 2021, the Martin E. Marty Public Understanding of Religion Award from the American Academy of Religion, making him the first scholar to receive both prestigious awards and the first Latinx to be honoured.

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.

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Rev Dr Miguel De La Torre

Since debuting in 2011, the band Avalanche City, the project of Dave Baxter, has enchanted New Zealand with its light and energetic indie folk-pop tunes. Born in the UK and moving to New Zealand at six months old, Baxter grew up in Tauranga and Hamilton. Musically gifted from a young age, he began playing guitar at nine and performed in local bands during his teens.

Avalanche City's first album, Our New Life Above the Ground, featured the hit single "Love Love Love," which soared to No. 1 on the New Zealand charts. The follow-up album, We Are for the Wild Places (2015), included the popular No. 1 single "Inside Out". After the 2019 release of My Babylon, Baxter took a break from music to focus on family and personal life.

After a nearly five-year break, Dave Baxter returned in 2024 with a new single, "Keep That Love." His comeback marks a renewed chapter for Avalanche City, as Baxter resumes his musical journey with fresh energy and commitment.

Since debuting in 2011, the band Avalanche City, the project of Dave Baxter, has enchanted New Zealand with its light and energetic indie folk-pop tunes. Born in the UK and moving to New Zealand at six months old, Baxter grew up in Tauranga and Hamilton. Musically gifted from a young age, he began playing guitar at nine and performed in local bands during his teens.
Avalanche City's first album, Our New Life Above the Ground, featured the hit single "Love Love Love," which soared to No. 1 on the New Zealand charts. The follow-up album, We Are for the Wild Places (2015), included the popular No. 1 single "Inside Out". After the 2019 release of My Babylon, Baxter took a break from music to focus on family and personal life.
After a nearly five-year break, Dave Baxter returned in 2024 with a new single, "Keep That Love." His comeback marks a renewed chapter for Avalanche City, as Baxter resumes his musical journey with fresh energy and commitment.

Dave Baxter - Musician (Avalanche City)

Alan Duff, a prominent New Zealand novelist and advocate, is best known for his influential debut novel Once Were Warriors (1990), which won the PEN Best First Book Award and was adapted into a successful film. In addition to his literary success, Duff is recognized for his role as a critical commentator on Māori issues. His 1993 analysis, Māori: The Crisis and the Challenge, critiques both traditional and radical Māori leadership for focusing on past injustices rather than promoting self-reliance. Duff’s influence extends through his newspaper columns, which began in 1991 when he wrote for The Evening Post. His thought-provoking pieces, later syndicated to multiple newspapers, have established him as a significant voice in New Zealand's media.

Duff’s contributions to literature and social causes were honoured in 2007 when he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). His impact extends beyond writing, with his co-founding of the Duffy Books in Homes scheme in 1995, which has distributed over 5 million books to underprivileged children. 

Alan Duff, a prominent New Zealand novelist and advocate, is best known for his influential debut novel Once Were Warriors (1990), which won the PEN Best First Book Award and was adapted into a successful film. In addition to his literary success, Duff is recognized for his role as a critical commentator on Māori issues. His 1993 analysis, Māori: The Crisis and the Challenge, critiques both traditional and radical Māori leadership for focusing on past injustices rather than promoting self-reliance. Duff’s influence extends through his newspaper columns, which began in 1991 when he wrote for The Evening Post. His thought-provoking pieces, later syndicated to multiple newspapers, have established him as a significant voice in New Zealand's media.
Duff’s contributions to literature and social causes were honoured in 2007 when he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). His impact extends beyond writing, with his co-founding of the Duffy Books in Homes scheme in 1995, which has distributed over 5 million books to underprivileged children.

Alan Duff - Author

Meet Tony Rinaudo, also known as ‘The Forest Maker’! As World Vision’s Principal Climate Action Advisor, Tony has revolutionized reforestation with his groundbreaking approach, Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR). 

In 1981, Tony and his wife Liz arrived at the edge of the Sahara, determined to plant trees. Despite numerous challenges, Tony discovered the power of FMNR—a method that regrows trees using existing root networks rather than starting from seeds. This innovative technique has restored millions of hectares of land in Niger and is now used in 25 countries across Africa and Asia. 

Tony’s journey and the incredible impact of FMNR are detailed in his book, The Forest Underground: Hope for a Planet in Crisis. This inspiring story showcases how Tony’s sustainable land management system is transforming landscapes and lives, proving that hope and renewal are possible even in the most challenging environments. 

Meet Tony Rinaudo, also known as ‘The Forest Maker’! As World Vision’s Principal Climate Action Advisor, Tony has revolutionized reforestation with his groundbreaking approach, Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR). 
In 1981, Tony and his wife Liz arrived at the edge of the Sahara, determined to plant trees. Despite numerous challenges, Tony discovered the power of FMNR—a method that regrows trees using existing root networks rather than starting from seeds. This innovative technique has restored millions of hectares of land in Niger and is now used in 25 countries across Africa and Asia. 
Tony’s journey and the incredible impact of FMNR are detailed in his book, The Forest Underground: Hope for a Planet in Crisis. This inspiring story showcases how Tony’s sustainable land management system is transforming landscapes and lives, proving that hope and renewal are possible even in the most challenging environments.

Rev Dr Miguel De La Torre

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