Award-winning journalist and broadcaster Moana Maniapoto says tonight’s episode of Te Ao with Moana will feature one of the most personal and challenging interviews of the programme’s current season, as former Labour Cabinet Minister Kiritapu Allan speaks publicly about her departure from Parliament, mental wellbeing and rebuilding her life after a highly publicised drink-driving incident.
Speaking with Radio Waatea’s Dale Husband, Maniapoto previewed the interview, describing it as an honest conversation about leadership, vulnerability and the pressures that can accompany public life.
The full interview will air Monday at 8pm on Whakaata Māori and MĀORI+.
Warning: The programme discusses mental wellbeing and experiences that some viewers may find distressing.
Allan’s appearance marks one of her most in-depth interviews since resigning from Parliament following the 2023 incident that brought an abrupt end to her ministerial career.
Rather than focusing solely on the political events surrounding her resignation, Maniapoto said the discussion explores the human experience behind the headlines.
The interview examines the pressures of holding senior political office, the expectation that leaders must always appear strong, and what happens when those expectations collide with personal struggles.
Te Ao with Moana has developed a reputation for tackling complex issues affecting Māori and Aotearoa through thoughtful, in-depth conversations that place people and their lived experiences at the centre of the discussion.
From politics and social justice to culture, health and identity, the programme continues to provide a platform for conversations that often extend beyond the daily news cycle.
Maniapoto said tonight’s interview continues that tradition by exploring an issue that affects people across every community: the challenge of navigating adversity while maintaining hope for the future.
As New Zealand continues to confront growing conversations around mental health and wellbeing, the interview offers viewers an opportunity to reflect on how society responds to people experiencing difficult moments in their lives.
For many, it will be a reminder that public figures are also human beings who can experience hardship, make mistakes and seek a path forward.
The full interview with Kiritapu Allan airs tonight at 8pm on Whakaata Māori and MĀORI+.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental wellbeing, support is available through your GP, local health services or by calling or texting 1737 to speak with a trained counsellor at any time.
#Tags
#TeAoWithMoana #MoanaManiapoto #KiritapuAllan #WhakaataMāori #MentalHealth #Wellbeing #Leadership #Recovery #Resilience #TeAoMāori #Politics #Journalism #MāoriMedia #Aotearoa #1737 #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews
