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.

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

Tony Rinaudo

Fern Sutherland, born in New Plymouth, began her acting career as a lead artist in short films produced by the UNITEC Performing Arts School. She gained early experience in theatre, appearing in productions such as Silo Theatre's Ensemble Project 08 and the Auckland Theatre Company's plays. Transitioning to television, Sutherland took on roles in South Pacific Pictures productions, including appearances in shows like Go Girls and The Almighty Johnsons.

Sutherland's breakthrough came with her role in The Almighty Johnsons where her performance garnered critical acclaim and award nominations. Following this success, she secured a prominent role in the New Zealand television series The Brokenwood Mysteries, portraying a sharp and formal small-town detective. The show provided her with further exposure and established her as a notable figure in New Zealand television.

Outside of acting, Fern Sutherland divides her time between New Zealand and Thailand. In Thailand, she spends extended periods practising Muay Thai in Phuket, reflecting her dedication to both her career and personal interests beyond acting.

Fern Sutherland, born in New Plymouth, began her acting career as a lead artist in short films produced by the UNITEC Performing Arts School. She gained early experience in theatre, appearing in productions such as Silo Theatre's Ensemble Project 08 and the Auckland Theatre Company's plays. Transitioning to television, Sutherland took on roles in South Pacific Pictures productions, including appearances in shows like Go Girls and The Almighty Johnsons.
Sutherland's breakthrough came with her role in The Almighty Johnsons where her performance garnered critical acclaim and award nominations. Following this success, she secured a prominent role in the New Zealand television series The Brokenwood Mysteries, portraying a sharp and formal small-town detective. The show provided her with further exposure and established her as a notable figure in New Zealand television.
Outside of acting, Fern Sutherland divides her time between New Zealand and Thailand. In Thailand, she spends extended periods practising Muay Thai in Phuket, reflecting her dedication to both her career and personal interests beyond acting.

Fern Sutherland

Georgia Lines has quickly risen to prominence in New Zealand's music scene with her infectious personality and R&B-infused pop sound. In 2022, she won Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the Aotearoa Music Awards and was nominated for Best Pop Artist alongside Lorde and Benee. Her EP "HUMAN" debuted at #1 on the Official Top 20 NZ Album charts, driven by the success of 'Faith', which topped NZ Airplay charts for four consecutive weeks and amassed over 7 million streams.


In addition to her recording success, Georgia has performed multiple sold-out headline tours across New Zealand and supported international acts like George Ezra and Pentatonix. With features in Rolling Stone and Canvas Magazine, Georgia continues to garner both local and international acclaim, solidifying her position as a rising star in contemporary pop music.


Georgia's ability to connect with audiences through her soulful vocals and compelling songwriting has contributed to her growing fanbase and widespread recognition in the music industry. Her achievements on the charts and in live performances underscore her trajectory towards becoming a significant figure not only in New Zealand but also on the global stage.

Georgia Lines has quickly risen to prominence in New Zealand's music scene with her infectious personality and R&amp;B-infused pop sound. In 2022, she won Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the Aotearoa Music Awards and was nominated for Best Pop Artist alongside Lorde and Benee. Her EP "HUMAN" debuted at #1 on the Official Top 20 NZ Album charts, driven by the success of 'Faith', which topped NZ Airplay charts for four consecutive weeks and amassed over 7 million streams.
 In addition to her recording success, Georgia has performed multiple sold-out headline tours across New Zealand and supported international acts like George Ezra and Pentatonix. With features in Rolling Stone and Canvas Magazine, Georgia continues to garner both local and international acclaim, solidifying her position as a rising star in contemporary pop music.
 Georgia's ability to connect with audiences through her soulful vocals and compelling songwriting has contributed to her growing fanbase and widespread recognition in the music industry. Her achievements on the charts and in live performances underscore her trajectory towards becoming a significant figure not only in New Zealand but also on the global stage.

Georgia Lines - Kiwi singer/songwriter

Warning: This article discusses suicidal ideation.

One of New Zealand’s most experienced journalists has opened up on his brush with death – and how a subsequent battle with depression has enabled him to become a “wounded healer” for those in need.

Rob Harley, whose storied 50-year career has seen him work in current affairs for TVNZ, in radio, as a church pastor and a documentary maker, has earned a reputation as a talented storyteller.

But in an interview with Newstalk ZB’s Real Life with John Cowan on Sunday night, now-70-year-old Harley recounted how he very nearly lost it all – his career, finances, mental health and life – after his liver failed eight and a half years ago.

“I was wheeled into an operating theatre at Auckland City Hospital, where I was lucky enough to have one of the best liver transplant surgeons in the world work on me,” he told Real Life.

“He pulled my old diseased liver out and gave me a new one. Afterwards he said, ‘Rob, you had two weeks to live, we got you just in time’.”

While grateful to escape alive, after the liver transplant things “really cascaded downwards”, says Harley.

“I had a very successful documentary-making business. It went well, but I’d had bad advice on tax and ended up with a horrendous tax bill, and then I had a documentary series which was incredibly successful on TV, but absolutely stripped me bare financially.

“We went bankrupt. We walked away from a beautiful little farm in west Auckland, and we were basically gipsies for the next eight years.”

Harley’s varied work over the years has seen him travel the world, and in 2001 he claimed an international journalism award for his story on TVNZ’s Assignment about a west Auckland firefighter turned arsonist.

But he admits the reporting he’s done – much of it traumatic in nature, or from war zones – has taken a mental toll.

“In Cambodia, we were at a water festival and we just got out in time before 400 people were trampled to death in a stampede,” he recalled.

“The next morning, almost robot-like, we went into the grounds of a hospital and filmed the bodies of 50 to 60 dead teenagers with toe tags on, with people trying to identify them.

“That stuff never came back and bit me on the bum until years later. In fact, it did at the end of last year, along with so much other stuff I've seen. It gets into your head and at some point the payment falls due.”

Recent years have also brought bouts of severe depression, Harley revealed. He said it seems to be common among transplant patients.

“Something happens to your head, and I lost it… I was in the black dog for about four years, I was incommunicado. I look back at my Facebook Messenger from 2017, 2018, and I had just shut down,” he said.

But he pulled himself back through a combination of “good care, good drugs and good mates”.

“I had a bloke who would call me every second day and say, ‘Zero to ten, how are you doing?’ He knew I was suicidal and sometimes I'd say ‘minus-15’. He said, ‘Okay, bro, let's get you up to two tomorrow’.

“It saved my life. You've got to have good people around you.”

That experience, of dealing with the worst of depression and emerging out the other side, has earned him a reputation as something of a de facto suicide counsellor.

Harley says while some people think it sounds ghoulish and tough, he’s grateful for it. He says wounded people often make “the best healers”.

“Every week I am next to people who are on the edge. People say, ‘Boy, that sounds ghoulish, that sounds tough’, but I love it because you actually teach people the art of something as simple as gratitude,” Harley said.

“I was talking to someone the other day who doesn't want to live. I said, ‘Get in the shower in the morning and tell yourself three things that you are proud of yourself for having done’. And it's starting to work. Along with a bit of humour and a bit of distraction, I can see the light’s going on.

“There’s nothing in the world like the experience of building something into the life of a hurting person.” 

LISTEN ABOVE

WHERE TO GET HELP:

If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call 111.

If you need to talk to someone, the following free helplines operate 24/7:

DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757

LIFELINE: 0800 543 354

NEED TO TALK? Call or text 1737

SAMARITANS: 0800 726 666

YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633 or text 234

Warning: This article discusses suicidal ideation.
One of New Zealand’s most experienced journalists has opened up on his brush with death – and how a subsequent battle with depression has enabled him to become a “wounded healer” for those in need.
Rob Harley, whose storied 50-year career has seen him work in current affairs for TVNZ, in radio, as a church pastor and a documentary maker, has earned a reputation as a talented storyteller.
But in an interview with Newstalk ZB’s Real Life with John Cowan on Sunday night, now-70-year-old Harley recounted how he very nearly lost it all – his career, finances, mental health and life – after his liver failed eight and a half years ago.
“I was wheeled into an operating theatre at Auckland City Hospital, where I was lucky enough to have one of the best liver transplant surgeons in the world work on me,” he told Real Life.
“He pulled my old diseased liver out and gave me a new one. Afterwards he said, ‘Rob, you had two weeks to live, we got you just in time’.”
While grateful to escape alive, after the liver transplant things “really cascaded downwards”, says Harley.
“I had a very successful documentary-making business. It went well, but I’d had bad advice on tax and ended up with a horrendous tax bill, and then I had a documentary series which was incredibly successful on TV, but absolutely stripped me bare financially.
“We went bankrupt. We walked away from a beautiful little farm in west Auckland, and we were basically gipsies for the next eight years.”
Harley’s varied work over the years has seen him travel the world, and in 2001 he claimed an international journalism award for his story on TVNZ’s Assignment about a west Auckland firefighter turned arsonist.
But he admits the reporting he’s done – much of it traumatic in nature, or from war zones – has taken a mental toll.
“In Cambodia, we were at a water festival and we just got out in time before 400 people were trampled to death in a stampede,” he recalled.
“The next morning, almost robot-like, we went into the grounds of a hospital and filmed the bodies of 50 to 60 dead teenagers with toe tags on, with people trying to identify them.
“That stuff never came back and bit me on the bum until years later. In fact, it did at the end of last year, along with so much other stuff I've seen. It gets into your head and at some point the payment falls due.”
Recent years have also brought bouts of severe depression, Harley revealed. He said it seems to be common among transplant patients.
“Something happens to your head, and I lost it… I was in the black dog for about four years, I was incommunicado. I look back at my Facebook Messenger from 2017, 2018, and I had just shut down,” he said.
But he pulled himself back through a combination of “good care, good drugs and good mates”.
“I had a bloke who would call me every second day and say, ‘Zero to ten, how are you doing?’ He knew I was suicidal and sometimes I'd say ‘minus-15’. He said, ‘Okay, bro, let's get you up to two tomorrow’.
“It saved my life. You've got to have good people around you.”
That experience, of dealing with the worst of depression and emerging out the other side, has earned him a reputation as something of a de facto suicide counsellor.
Harley says while some people think it sounds ghoulish and tough, he’s grateful for it. He says wounded people often make “the best healers”.
“Every week I am next to people who are on the edge. People say, ‘Boy, that sounds ghoulish, that sounds tough’, but I love it because you actually teach people the art of something as simple as gratitude,” Harley said.
“I was talking to someone the other day who doesn't want to live. I said, ‘Get in the shower in the morning and tell yourself three things that you are proud of yourself for having done’. And it's starting to work. Along with a bit of humour and a bit of distraction, I can see the light’s going on.
“There’s nothing in the world like the experience of building something into the life of a hurting person.” 
LISTEN ABOVE
WHERE TO GET HELP:
If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call 111.
If you need to talk to someone, the following free helplines operate 24/7:
DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757
LIFELINE: 0800 543 354
NEED TO TALK? Call or text 1737
SAMARITANS: 0800 726 666
YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633 or text 234

Tony Rinaudo

In 1 playlist(s)

Real Life With John Cowan

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips