Real Life With John Cowan
Real Life With John Cowan
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.Social links:
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Hon Marama Davidson - Co-leader of the Green Party
Marama Davidson is the Co-leader of the Green Party and a List MP based in South Auckland. Born in Auckland, she spent her childhood living in several parts of Aotearoa before settling in Whirinaki in Hokianga, where she developed a strong connection to her Māori heritage. Of Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ng…
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Graeme Cairns - Former McGillicuddy Serious Party leader
Former McGillicuddy Serious leader Graeme Cairns now divides his time between penny farthings, medical training and street theatre, and his latest endeavour, "doing pennants," features a bicycle-powered sewing machine. Graeme founded the McGillicuddy Serious Party - to contest the 1984 election wi…
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Angus Gillies - Author and TV Producer
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.
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From the Archives: The late Sir Sam Neill in 2016 on his childhood stutter, winemaking, and mentors
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 overc…
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Paul Froggatt - two Michelin Star chef
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 …
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Matthais Balzat - Cellist for NZTrio
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 Aotearo…
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Grant Nisbett - Rugby Commentator
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Bev Priestman - Head Coach of the Wellington Phoenix Women
From leading Canada’s women to Olympic glory in Tokyo to navigating a dramatic career setback and making a triumphant return to guide the Wellington Phoenix women to the A-League final, Bev’s story is one of ultimate highs and intense resilience. Tune in to hear a raw and inspiring look at her lif…
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Joy Reid - Co-founder of One Mother To Another and former journalist
Joy is a highly respected New Zealand broadcast journalist and television presenter, best known for her extensive career with TVNZ’s 1News. A former European Correspondent based in London, she made history as the first mother appointed to the role, covering major global events across nearly 20 coun…
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Manu Vatuvei - Rugby League Legend
Manu dominated the rugby league world for over a decade, cementing his place as the Vodafone Warriors' all-time leading try-scorer and a powerhouse for the Kiwis. But beyond the staggering stats, the massive hits, and the unforgettable tries, what has always made Manu a crowd favourite is his massi…
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