What happens when you decide to take a chance on your passion and put yourself out there for the world to see? Nickalee, our guest for this episode shares how over the last year she's built her following around the local DJ community in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland. We look at the technical side of DJing, what goes into putting a playlist together for her sets, the importance of diversity in this space and how she balances her personal life with her DJing lifestyle.

🏡 In this episode of What’s in Your Kete?, we're joined by Saarah Gul — also known as the Māori Mogul — a proud wāhine Māori using her platform to uplift our people through financial knowledge.From navigating the home-buying journey to being smarter with your pūtea / money, Saarah shares whakaaro that centres whakapapa, community, and long-term abundance.💬 This is more than money talk — it’s about reclaiming mana motuhake in our finances and building intergenerational wealth, our way.🎧 Tune in and fill your kete with tools, tips, and mātauranga to help you thrive.

Join us this week on What’s in Your Kete? as we talanoa with Samoan creative and actor Denyce Su’a—as she shares her story and passion around performance and storytelling. Denyce opens up about:🥁 Her journey melding identity and creativity.🎭 How storytelling acts as a bridge—connecting her, her ancestors, and our collective communities across the moana💬 Real talk on identity, representation, and “showing up” authentically in the arts.Expect heartfelt conversation, cheeky laughs, and a heavy dose of inspiration. Denyce’s talanoa is a powerful reminder that when Pasifika and Indigenous voices are heard, we all feel seen or as Denyce says — "because representation isn’t just important, it’s everything."

On this episode of What’s In Your Kete, we sit down with Michael Tuala — a youth worker and mental health advocate of Samoan descent, from West Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau 🇼🇸🇳🇿.This talanoa shares Michael's path of service to our young people — grounded in alofa (love) ❤️ , cultural identity, tautua (service) and the strength of aiga (family). He speaks on his journey travelling across the vast Pacific 🌊🚢 in early 2020, and how he recently ended up on a Europe adventure 🇪🇺 ✈️with his siblings.

What happens when eleven Polynesians touch down in Japan? Jenni, Grace & Grant Toma share their hilarious, heartfelt, and totally unforgettable journey across Japan — from vending machine adventures and 7- Eleven hauls, to epic walks around the temples, rides at theme parks and navigating Tokyo as a full squad. 🗼🎢 🎌They talk about what it means to explore the world together as proud Niueans.

We caught up with local arts practitioner Natasha Matila-Smith (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Hine, Samoa, Pākehā) during the Summer break and ahead of her exciting global travels. Natasha shares how she’s exploring new ideas in her art, her love of pop culture, and what’s been on her mind lately.Artist. Thinker. Pop Culture Connoisseur. She’s not afraid to shake things up! 

🎺 Delbert Anderson is a Diné (Navajo) jazz trumpeter, composer, and educator whose music bridges indigenous traditions with contemporary soundscapes. From traditional Navajo spinning songs to jazz improvisation, his work is a testament to resilience, innovation, and cultural pride.We were honoured to have Delbert join us on the podcast ahead of his performance at Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki - Auckland Arts Festival. Push play to hear about Indigenous storytelling through Diné music and jazz, the power of cultural identity, and his upcoming projects & international works. 

Thanks to the Auckland Arts Festival, we were honoured to kōrero with Lehua Kalima and Pono Fernandez from Kulāiwi, a collective of award-winning Native Hawaiian musicians, songwriters, and cultural leaders (including Kawika Kahiapo & Shawn Pimental).We talk about: 🎶 The power of mele (music) & hula 🌏 The connection between Hawaiian & Māori artistry 🫶🏾 What to anticipate at their #AAF2025 shows in Aotearoa and their hopes of cultural exchange and collaboration with Moana creatives while they're here in Aotearoa. Stay with us till the end, because we’re also joined by the phenomenal Kaumakaiwa, a powerhouse performer whose voice carries generations of tradition and mana. 🌊🐚 🎉

We are back with PART 2 of our special episode of What’s In Your Kete? with indigenous storyteller Paula Conroy and internationally celebrated adornment artist Neke Moa. Tune in to hear about their experiences at FestPAC 2024; Neke shares insights about her practice, Paula speaks on the significance of Atua stories to Māori and other Pacific communities, and more.

In this special two part episode of What’s In Your Kete?, we talk to internationally celebrated adornment artist @nekemoa and indigenous storyteller ⁠@whaeapaula⁠ to hear about their involvement in the 2025 Munich Jewellery Week, reconnecting with taonga at the Museum Five Continents and more.