17 Dec 2019

Best of 2019: the Kiwis you loved

12:50 pm on 24 December 2019

We spoke to some characters this year; a passionate farmer, an academic turned pole dancer, a barber making a real difference and a Wairarapa cricket farmer among them.

 

Tangaroa Walker: Dairy Farmer 4 Life

Southland contract milker and vlogger Tangaroa Walker is evangelical about the joys of rural life.

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Photo: RNZ/Cosmo Kentish-Barnes

Glynn Owens, retired professor and one of NZ's best pole dancers

 In 2018, Glynn – who's known as 'The Prince' by his fellow pole dancers –  was one of the top five male pole dancers in the country.

Glynn Owens  Poledancing

Photo: Supplied / Scott Marks

Megan Whelan: the art of taking selfies

RNZ's resident expert has tips on lighting, angles and facial expressions.

Megan Whelan the art of selfies

Megan Whelan the art of selfies Photo: Supplied \ Megan Whelan


John Hart: farming crickets in the Wairarapa

 Wairarapa farmer John Hart was considering crickets as a food source for chickens when he realised they were much too expensive and would be better food for humans.

John Hart

John Hart Photo: Twitter

Patrick Gower on cannabis and legalisation

 Newshub journalist Patrick Gower reckons he now knows more about marijuana than anyone else in New Zealand. 

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Photo: Mediaworks

Matt Brown: A haircut and a friendly ear

Matt Brown is a barber - but he does much more than cut hair. After the Christchurch earthquakes, he set up a barbershop - in a shed in his backyard.

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Photo: Supplied

David Downs: 'My favourite thing [about having cancer] was if a mosquito bit me, they would die'

Comedian and author David Downs was given an 80 percent chance of recovery after his cancer diagnosis. He’s now in remission and his weekly blog has become the book A Mild Touch of the Cancer.

David Downs

David Downs Photo: Supplied

Young woman tells her own story of sleeping rough in new book

Taylor Banks was just 17 when she ended up living on the street, after escaping family trouble. She's proud to be studying social work soon, but misses some of her 'streetie' friends.

Taylor Banks

Taylor Banks Photo: supplied by Street, an intiative of the Lifewise Trust

Graeme AtkinsRuatoria's guardian of NZ's rarest plants

"Future generations are not going to have the luxury of things that we probably take for granted now."

DOC botanist Graeme Atkins with native puha, Sonchus kirkii.

DOC botanist Graeme Atkins with native puha, Sonchus kirkii. Photo: RNZ / Alison Ballance

Kristine Crabb on closing down her fashion label Miss Crabb

Her designs have been worn by Lorde and Jacinda Ardern, but after 15 years in business, Kristine Crabb feels glad to be free of the fashion game.

Kristine Crabb

Kristine Crabb Photo: Supplied

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