Neighbourhood - Thorndon (with Grant Robertson)

I guess, like a lot of people, I came to Thorndon in Wellington to make a fresh start. It wasn't that I had a bad time growing up in Dunedin, I just struggled a bit with the fact that I was gay. So I came here to start again. 

– Presenter Grant Robertson discussing his move to Wellington as a young man

One of the hardest things to talk about is how we write music, why we write music, even. We just feel the need to express things that can only be expressed in sound. 

– Composer John Elmsly discussing the mysterious drive to write music

We spoke about this on his last day. When he knew he only had a few hours to live, this is what he talked about. 

– Klara Szentirmay on how much the Hungarian memorial meant to her father

Thorndon's always been a neighbourhood rich in history. First, it's the site of the Pipetea pā, now an urban marae, then as part of New Zealand's first planned settlement, and when Parliament opened here in 1865. But it's always had a bohemian fringe that's drawn creative types further up the valley.

– Presenter Grant Robertson introduces Thorndon

We realised that actually, there's a huge opportunity here for engagement, highlighting the issue. But also to create an empathy with the kids, with New Zealand kids connecting them to the situation of other kids in a completely different part of the world.

– Michelle Alkhouri on raising awareness for the Syrian war

You cook sometimes for three days to have the perfect canard à l'orange, and it disappears in less than 10 minutes. And for me, this is fantastic — this really gives something.

– Chef Véronique Sauzean, on the work and joy of French cuisine