What's in Your Kete?

This episode of What’s in Your Kete? brings together three artists from Brisbane’s Relentless Records label — rapper, producer and co-founder of Relentless Records JJ4K, R&B artist and award-winning barber Jvyden, and the hype man and DJ for Relentless Records, Gio.We talk music, the grind, and keeping your head straight when everything’s moving fast.

From Aotearoa to Fiji, Brazil to India and everywhere in between Anjelica Tova has seen and done it all! This episode of What's In Your Kete features our guest Anjelica who tells her story of living in Brazil during Carnival / 2015 FIFA World Cup, growing up Fijian and Chinese in West Auckland, exploring her creative side thorough dance and acting, and heaps more. Our talanoa is filled with plenty of laughter and thoughtful conversation so we're excited to share this with you.

We're back with part two of our catch up with Winnie Dunn. From taking a look behind the scenes at the story, themes and characters of Winnie's novel Dirt Poor Islanders, to discussing Winnie's work helping Pasifika writers in the Sydney area become published writers, we're going deeper into Winnie's journey in the Australian literacy world.

In this special two part episode we're joined by award winning Tongan Australian author and creative Winnie Dunn. Based in Western Sydney, Winnie shares about her early years growing up in Mt Druit, how the women in her family shaped her as a storyteller and her involvement as a poet, editor and creative at the Sweatshop Literacy Movement. From Australia to Aotearoa and across the moana, Winnie's story inspires us all to celebrate our own stories in every way that matters.

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.

Alex Hawley is a Navajo textile artist and proud aunty whose academic journey brought her to Aotearoa on a Fulbright Fellowship. Hit play to hear about the cross-cultural exchanges, creative inspirations, and the treasures Alex now carries in her kete!

In this powerful talanoa, Alana Tukuniu shares how Niue called her home and continues to shape her mahani  (way of being), healing practice, and sense of self.Her journey is a reminder to trust your gut, honour your ancestors, and carry the gifts of the motu in your kete. 🧺💫

Melodie Turori shares her story about returning to the Cook Islands with her family for the first time; connecting to the land, feeling her tupuna and reflecting on her time in Aotearoa New Zealand. She also shares highlights from her Pasifika Transmissions documentary project 'The Future Behind Us' and explains the importance of the Pacific festivals like Pacific Islands Festival Association (PIFA) and Festival of Pacifica Arts and Culture (festPAC) for the US diaspora.

🌺 Meet Leilani Faaiuaso – Proud Samoan and passionate advocate.From her roots in Manurewa to her home in Palmy, Leilani’s journey is all about embracing culture, overcoming doubts, and inspiring her people.

🌺 Aloha kākou! In this special podcast episode, we share our kōrero with Thomas Koʻikūokalani Lum Jnr, who shares his interesting story of traveling to Ngāruawāhia, Aotearoa as a young man and meeting the Māori queen, Te Atairangikaahu. 🎙️ Join us as he reflects on the life-changing cultural exchanges at Tūrangawaewae Marae, and how those experiences shaped his deep appreciation for storytelling and the unbreakable bonds connecting us across Moana Nui a Kiwa. This inspiring kōrero is a reminder of the rich heritage we all carry and the importance of preserving it for future generations. 

Join us for our first episode as we kōrero with Candice Davis, of Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Porou ki Harataunga, and Cook Islands descent. This television presenter, event boss, and world traveller shares a few tales about growing up in Tokomaru Bay, playing the drums on a Native American reservation as a child, becoming social media famous during the days of Bebo and so much more!She’s got stories for days, and we’re spilling the tea on how she’s making moves in the world while repping her Māori culture in Australia.