Born and raised in Auckland, former boardsailer Barbara has won a gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics, a silver medal in 1996, and a bronze medal in 2000. She was the first, and as of 2008, the only woman from New Zealand to compete at five Olympic Games.Barbara was the Oceania athletes' representative on the International Olympic Committee from 2005 to 2008 and was on the New Zealand Olympic Committee Athletes Commission until 2008. She is a member of the International Olympic Committee and the IOC Athletes' Commission and has sat on the Women and Sport Commission and Sport and the Environment Commission.Kendall's brother Bruce is also an Olympic Gold medallist and they are the first brother and sister to achieved this feat for New Zealand.Barbara officially retired from competitive board sailing in May 2010. Barbara and her husband Shayne have two daughters.

Real Life with John Cowan

Five-time Olympian Barbara Kendall shares her story with John Cowan on Real Life

Studying in London at the Guildhall School of Music, Rae became an accomplished performer, winning the Sheriff’s Piano Prize, the Victor Hoddy Memorial Prize and the Jubilee Scholarship.After returning to New Zealand in 1977, Rae was in high demand as a soloist, accompanist and chamber musician. She recorded for radio and television, and often played with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.In 2000 Rae accepted a teaching role at the University of Auckland where she is also enrolled as a PhD student.Rae is married to veteran broadcaster Bill McCarthy and together they have two daughters and a grand-daughter.

2014-01-19 Interview: Rae de Lisle

The sportswriter and broadcaster began his on-air career exactly 40 years ago on an Auckland breakfast show. Up until last month, Phil hosted an afternoon slot on Newstalk ZB alongside Simon Barnett. Phil is also a columnist for the New Zealand Herald and a regular commentator for Newstalk ZB.Phil is an author having published seven books under the name Loosehead Len, a satirical rugby character he created in 1973. He has also written rugby best-sellers including his book on Alex Wyllie, Grizz, The Legend, the biggest-selling New Zealand sports book of the 1990s.Last month, Phil left Newstalk ZB Afternoons, the show he hosted with Simon Barnett.Phil lives in Auckland with his wife Jan.

Phil Gifford looks back over his remarkable career with John Cowan on Real Life

John Cowan interviews Black Caps cricketer Ross Taylor.

2021-07-13 Interview: Ross Taylor

David’s career has largely been in foreign aid, coordinating humanitarian aid programmes and initiatives for the United Nations and other organisations in a host of countries including Rwanda, Somalia, Iraq, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Israel and Lebanon.In 1993 he was named “New Zealander of the Year” by the New Zealand Herald for his work in Somalia and awarded an MBE in the British 1993 New Year Honours List.David’s first active role in New Zealand politics was as an advisor to Foreign Affairs Minister, Phil Goff from 2000 to 2002. Elected MP for Mt Albert in June of 2009, David stood forward to lead the Labour Party when Phil Goff stepped down after the 2011 election. Since leaving NZ politics, he's been working with the United Nations, most recently in the South Sudan, where he was in charge of a 20,000-strong peacekeeping force.David is married to Anuschka and they have two children.

David Shearer shares tales from his humanitarian career with John Cowan

Mike Pero founded his mortgage broking business in 1991, and in 2011 established a real estate company under the same brand name. In 1999 and 2003, he won the New Zealand Pacific Business Award and was a founding member of the NZ Mortgage Brokers Association.Mike was six times National Motorcycle Road Racing Champion, from 1977 to 1982, twice 350cc & 500cc racing class as well as two times in the 410cc Production Series. He set the New Zealand land speed record for a 350cc motorcycle in 1979 and the record of 238 km/h still stands today.In July last year, Mike announced plans for a new airline, Jet Raro, connecting Christchurch and Rarotonga. He is the CEO of The Apprentice Aotearoa, a New Zealand reality television series currently airing on TVNZ 1.Mike and his wife Rachel live in Christchurch with their four children.

Mike Pero discussed the role he played on The Apprentice Aotearoa with John Cowan on Real Life

Wendyl Nissen is a journalist, broadcaster and former magazine editor who is the author of ten books, mostly about living a chemical-free, old-fashioned life. She gave up her corporate life 15 years ago and now lives in the Hokianga with her husband, her father, 20 chickens, two cows, two dogs and three stray cats.Wendyl's most recent book, My Mother and Other Secrets tells stories of mothers and daughters, ageing, the way deep family traumas echo down through the generations and how uncovering old family secrets led Wendyl to a better understanding of her mother.

Author Wendyl Nissen discusses her latest book 'My Mother and Other Secrets' with John Cowan on Real Life

John Cowan interviews The Casketeers funeral director Kaiora Tipene.

2021-06-03 Interview: Kaiora Tipene

John Cowan interviews MP for Kaipara Ki Mahurangi Chris Penk.

2021-06-30 Interview: Chris Penk

John Cowan chats with political commentator Shane te Pou.

Political commentator Shane te Pou joined John Cowan in studio

John Cowan interviews retired Judge and author Rosemary Riddell.

2021-05-18 Interview: Rosemary Riddell

New Zealand netballer Sulu Fitzpatrick joined John Cowan for Real Life.

Sulu Fitzpatrick's remarkable journey back to the Silver Ferns

John Cowan chats with founding member of the band America, Gerry Beckley.

2021-05-02 Interview: Gerry Beckley

John Cowan interviews former Governor-General of New Zealand Sir Jerry Mateparae.

2021-04-25 Interview: Sir Jerry Mateparae

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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Real Life with John Cowan

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