Robert Vennell is an ecologist and best-selling natural history author. His first book,The Meaning of Trees, was listed as one of the best non-fiction books of 2019 and was longlisted for an Ockham New Zealand Book Award. His second book,Secrets of the Sea, was selected as a finalist in the illustrated non-fiction category of the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards 2023. His latest – The Forgotten Forest – explores the hidden world of mushrooms, mosses and moulds and was released on October 5th.

Robert works as a curator in the Natural Science department at Auckland Museum.

Robert Vennell is an ecologist and best-selling natural history author. His first book, The Meaning of Trees, was listed as one of the best non-fiction books of 2019 and was longlisted for an Ockham New Zealand Book Award. His second book, Secrets of the Sea, was selected as a finalist in the illustrated non-fiction category of the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards 2023. His latest – The Forgotten Forest – explores the hidden world of mushrooms, mosses and moulds and was released on October 5th. Robert works as a curator in the Natural Science department at Auckland Museum.

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

Robert Vennell

This week John's guest will be Peter Beck. Peter is a Kiwi entrepreneur who founded the aerospace manufacturer and launch service provider Rocket Lab. 

Peter grew up in Invercargill, born into a family who loved machines. A toolmaking apprenticeship at Fisher & Paykel gave him hands-on engineering skills and access to top-of-the-line machinery and materials after hours.

Peter began building rockets at an early age, steadily increasing their size and complexity. He set up Rocket Lab in 2006 and has taken the world by storm.

An award-winning engineer, Peter has been presented with the Gold Medal from the Royal Aeronautical Society, the Meritorious Medal from the New Zealand Division of the Royal Aeronautical Society, the Cooper Medal and the Pickering Medal from the Royal Society of New Zealand. In addition, in recognition of Mr Beck’s outstanding contributions to aerospace, entrepreneurship and technical innovation he was appointed as an adjunct professor in aerospace engineering by the University of Auckland.

This week John's guest will be Peter Beck. Peter is a Kiwi entrepreneur who founded the aerospace manufacturer and launch service provider Rocket Lab. 
Peter grew up in Invercargill, born into a family who loved machines. A toolmaking apprenticeship at Fisher &amp; Paykel gave him hands-on engineering skills and access to top-of-the-line machinery and materials after hours.
Peter began building rockets at an early age, steadily increasing their size and complexity. He set up Rocket Lab in 2006 and has taken the world by storm.
An award-winning engineer, Peter has been presented with the Gold Medal from the Royal Aeronautical Society, the Meritorious Medal from the New Zealand Division of the Royal Aeronautical Society, the Cooper Medal and the Pickering Medal from the Royal Society of New Zealand. In addition, in recognition of Mr Beck’s outstanding contributions to aerospace, entrepreneurship and technical innovation he was appointed as an adjunct professor in aerospace engineering by the University of Auckland.

Peter Beck - Founder and CEO of Rocket Lab

Marty Donoghue, based in Wellington, has been Chief Executive of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association (RNZRSA) since October 2020. Marty has a 35-year track record of transformational leadership, successfully building and managing teams and mobilising volunteers in New Zealand and internationally across defence, sport, science, and the not-for-profit sector. Marty served in the New Zealand Army for 25 years and is a veteran of Bosnia, Angola, Bougainville and Iraq.

Marty Donoghue, based in Wellington, has been Chief Executive of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association (RNZRSA) since October 2020. Marty has a 35-year track record of transformational leadership, successfully building and managing teams and mobilising volunteers in New Zealand and internationally across defence, sport, science, and the not-for-profit sector. Marty served in the New <a tabindex="-1"></a>Zealand Army for 25 years and is a veteran of Bosnia, Angola, Bougainville and Iraq.

Marty Donoghue - CEO of the RSA

Judy joined the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation in 1971, working as a reporter on news and current affairs programmes. She presented the regional news with John Hawkesby for Auckland from 1980 to 1987 in the programme Top Half. Judy went on to front ONE News, the highest-rated evening television news programme in New Zealand, for twenty-six years. On leaving TVNZ, she presented Māori Television's ANZAC Day programme for many years.



In the 2010 New Year Honours, Judy was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to broadcasting and the community. Judy has written several books, including Evolving, about finding health and happiness as we age, released at the beginning of April.



Judy lives in Auckland and is married to producer and director Chris Bailey, with whom she has three children and seven grandchildren.

Judy joined the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation in 1971, working as a reporter on news and current affairs programmes. She presented the regional news with John Hawkesby for Auckland from 1980 to 1987 in the programme Top Half. Judy went on to front ONE News, the highest-rated evening television news programme in New Zealand, for twenty-six years. On leaving TVNZ, she presented Māori Television's ANZAC Day programme for many years.
 
In the 2010 New Year Honours, Judy was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to broadcasting and the community. Judy has written several books, including Evolving, about finding health and happiness as we age, released at the beginning of April.
 
Judy lives in Auckland and is married to producer and director Chris Bailey, with whom she has three children and seven grandchildren.

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