Times Interview


Tony King: local legend
Monday, 10 August 2009
He's a local legend but we don’t know too much about Tony King.

The Times Interview - Tina Cross, Explain Yourself to PJ Taylor
Monday, 26 January 2009
Thirty years ago, a singer from Otara had nothing but dreams on her quest to make it in showbiz. Tina Cross’ big break came in the 1979 Pacific Song Contest. She was chosen by composer Carl Doy to sing his winning tune Nothing But Dreams.

The Times Interview - Criminologist John Buttle, Explain Yourself to Cameron Broadhurst
Monday, 18 August 2008
Criminologist Dr John Buttle is a senior lecturer at Auckland’s first and the country’s second criminology course, taught for the first time this year at Auckland University of Technology.

The Times Interview - Peter Stichbury, Explain Yourself to Cameron Broadhurst
Thursday, 31 July 2008
Peter Stichbury is one of New Zealand’s most unique portrait artists. Living and working in Auckland he has developed a reputation over the past decade for works inspired by social types taken from the media.

The Times Interview - Wade Jackson, Explain Yourself to PJ Taylor
Monday, 21 July 2008
As a bloke said to him the other day, ‘aren’t you Mr Improv?’ That’s Wade Jackson, king of the improvisational comedy scene. He’s the geezer who has worked harder than anyone to promote the art of on-the-spot joke making and getting it fully recognised on the Auckland entertainment scene.

The Times Interview - Helen Medlyn, Explain Yourself to PJ Taylor
Wednesday, 02 July 2008
There are two outstanding qualities, amongst many, that stand out when Helen Medlyn comes to mind. She’s a class act, a highly versatile showbiz principal in the classic music performance arena, who retains a great level of humility and passion for her craft.

The Times Interview - West Papuan activist Septer Manufandu, Explain Yourself to Cameron Broadhurst
Monday, 09 June 2008
Septer Manufandu was born into the Biak tribe on a small island in the north of West Papua, a territory under the control of Indonesia but with a significant native population. They moved to Jayapura, and he grew up in the high mountain areas of central Papua.

The Times Interview - TM Bishop, Explain Yourself to PJ Taylor
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
She's a little bit country and now she’s a little bit rock and roll, Auckland style. TM Bishop is a woman generating laughter across the nation and the world in her distinctively down-to-earth Kiwi style, which regularly links back to her days growing up in the lush Northland countryside.

The Times Interview - Ruban Nielson from The Mint Chicks, Explain Yourself to PJ Taylor
Wednesday, 23 April 2008
The Mint Chicks is one of the big names dominating the New Zealand music scene, after collecting five Tui awards last year for their Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No! album, including for best album and rock group.

The Times Interview - David Shand, Explain Yourself to Cameron Broadhurst
Monday, 14 April 2008
East Manukau resident David Shand must be one of New Zealand’s most experienced and well-travelled consultants, specialising in public sector finances. He was involved in the 1970s in politics, running twice unsuccessfully as a Labour candidate for Wellington Central - “the first one was a narrow loss” and spending time as a Wellington City councillor from 1971-77.

Peter Charles Leitch, QSM. Times photo Bruce Nicholson. The Times Interview - Peter Leitch, Explain Yourself to Dean Wedlake
Thursday, 12 July 2007
Peter Charles Leitch, QSM - The Mad Butcher - is passion personified. There was no prouder man than the 63-year-old Bucklands Beach resident when appointed manager of the New Zealand rugby league side before their 2005 Tri-Nations campaign.

Doug Walters. Times photo Dean Wedlake. The Times Interview - Doug Walters, Explain Yourself to Dean Wedlake
Wednesday, 23 May 2007
To interview Doug Walters is to understand how much cricket has changed in the modern era. You wouldn’t catch members of the Australian squad speaking to the media nowadays with a cigarette hanging out the mouth while nursing a tall pint of lager, but you wouldn’t get the same honesty that Walters delivers either.

Mike Loder with his winner's prize that spells l-a-u-g-h, collected at the recent 2007 Business to Business Humour in Business Awards. Times photo PJ Taylor. The Times Interview - Mike Loder, Explain Yourself to PJ Taylor
Thursday, 17 May 2007
Everyone's a comedian at this time of year, as some of the funniest people on the planet join Kiwi laugh generators at the annual International Comedy Festival.

A drummer for all seasons, NZ's finest beat master, Frank Gibson. Times photo PJ Taylor. The Times Interview - Frank Gibson, Explain Yourself to PJ Taylor
Thursday, 10 May 2007
Frank Gibson has been an ever-present name in Auckland’s gig and band listings since popular music got people singing and dancing back in the late 1940s. First to keep the gig-going punters right in time was Frank Gibson senior, the beat king of Auckland’s post World War Two dance hall craze and early rock’n’roll years.

More Headlines »