Sean is a physicist, decathlete, political advisor and TED fellow. He is originally from New Zealand where he ran for national elected office and helped start New Zealand’s first nanotech company. Sean studied at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar where he received a PhD for his research on the mathematical patterns that underlie modern war. This research has taken him all over the world from the Pentagon, to the United Nations and Iraq. Previously, Sean worked at NASA on self-repairing nano-circuits and is a two-time New Zealand track and field champion. Sean is now based in San Francisco where he splits his time between mathematical research and his venture capital backed startup Quid.
Latest Video
Paris 2024: What is trampolining?
Third-time Olympian Dylan Schmidt breaks down trampolining. Video / Alyse Wright
Kamala Harris from VP to presidential nominee
Joe Biden's endorsement has boosted Kamala Harris' chances of becoming the Democrats' leader when a replacement is chosen in August.
Olympic Games fever, high security, heatwaves and Parisian chic
Michael Burgess arrives in Paris ahead of the Olympics. Video / Michael Burgess
Biden ends presidential race and public transport fare caps | Focus Morning Bulletin July 22, 2024
Joe Biden drops out of the US presidential race and calls to roll out caps on what people pay for public transport across the country in today's New Zealand Herald headlines.
Focus: Joe Biden pulls out of the presidential race
Joe Biden has officially withdrawn from the 2024 US presidential race.
Kea Kids: Ngāpuhi sisters star in their very own show
Ngātaitangirua and Ngāwhakamoemiti are two sisters starring in the very first Ngāpuhi-dialect show, Te NGz! Reporter Hunter interviews the tamariki and their animal co-stars.
“They thought it was normal” Gang leaders reveal impact of state abuse
Michael Morrah sits down with "Puks", the President of Black Power Auckland and Feke Taito, former King Cobra member. Video / Ben Dickens / Michael Morrah
Man, child dead after pram falls on to train tracks
A man and child are dead after a pram carrying two children rolled on to train tracks in Sydney’s south, NSW Premier Chris Minns provides an update. Video / Chris Minns
Mahé Drysdale set to be Tauranga's mayor
Mahé Drysdale says his mayoralty will be about positivity and collaboration. Video / Alisha Evans
Focus: Kiwis get on board with the hybrid working style
Discover how hybrid workspaces are revolutionising Kiwi work culture with IWG's expansion plans and benefits. Video / Carson Bluck / Chereè Kinnear
'Largest IT outage in history', more calls for Biden to quit | Focus Morning Bulletin July 20, 2024
Yesterday experienced what is being labelled as the 'Largest IT outage in history' Meanwhile one in ten Democrats call for action from US President Joe Biden.
Air New Zealand’s Kiri Hannifin: ‘I live in my own skin - it’s pretty much all I’ve got’
Air NZ chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer talks about her role. Video / Dean Purcell
NZ Government's New Plan to Fix Potholes on State Highways
Transport Minister Simeon Brown on NZ Government's new strategy for pothole repair, ensuring safer and faster roads for everyone. Video / Michael Craig
All Blacks Captains Run in San Diego
Scott Barrett speaks in sunny San Diego ahead of their test against Fiji. Video / Bonnie Jansen
Olympics fever hits Paris
The sporting action begins in just a few days, ahead of the opening ceremony on Saturday morning. Video / NZ Herald
Mood lighting on a Qantas A350
How Qantas is getting the lighting right for future Project Sunrise flights. Video / Qantas
MetService National Weather: 18th - 22nd July
MetService National Weather: 18th - 22nd July.
Focus: New study reveals effects of excessive nitrous oxide use
The study looks at the effect excessive nitrous oxide usage had on 12 patients, aged 16 to 50. Video / NZ Herald
Focus: One year on from Yanfei Bao's disappearance
The real estate agent’s body is still missing as her murder trial proceeds. Video / NZ Herald
Yanfei Bao one year on and SkyCity closure | Focus Morning Bulletin July 19, 2024
In today’s headlines with Chereè Kinnear, it’s one year since Yanfei Bao’s disappearance, SkyCity casino to close for five days and tough news for those on the job hunt.
Roadside drug testing could impact innocent people
The Government's plans to introduce random roadside drug testing could harm Māori and mentally ill drivers according to The Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis party. Video / Whakaata Māori
Currency control?
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is considering launching a central bank digital currency (CBDC). This episode explores why and how it could work.
Farming for the future
Hawke's Bay's Thomsen family rise from the mud after Cyclone Gabrielle
Casey Brady is determined to walk again after paralysing 2017 accident
Bay of Plenty woman Casey Brady's story of resilience and determination to walk again after a motocross accident left her paralysed.
Mike Lane was diagnosed with prostate cancer eight years ago
The Tauranga man participates in weekly Prost-FIT classes - organised and funded by the Prostate Cancer Foundation of NZ. Video / Megan Wilson
Dricus du Plessis on upcoming bout against Israel Adesanya
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis discusses his upcoming title defence against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in Perth. Video / NZ Herald / Supplied
Buses crash after hittting ice on SH8
Two buses crashed after hittting ice on SH8 Tekapo Twizel Road. Video / James Allen
SkyCity boss on five-day closure
Callum Mallett, chief operating officer, on what went wrong and what the company is doing to fix it. Video / Michael Craig
2024 Bay of Plenty Young Grower competition highlights
The day-long competition at Mount Maunganui College and Mercury Baypark saw eight contestants complete nine practical and theoretical tasks. Video / Supplied
Focus: Schools refuse to enrol excluded students
Three NZ high schools are defying Ministry of Education orders to enrol expelled students. Video / NZ Herald
Expelled students turned away and elopement on the rise | Focus Morning Bulletin July 18, 2024
In today’s headlines with Chereè Kinnear high schools defy ministry orders, Darlene Tana’s future in Parliament and why more Kiwi couples are opting to elope.
Māori game developers and storytellers explore China's digital sector
A group of Māori game developers are heading to China to foster business relationships. Video / Whakaata Māori
Frank Film 2024 ep 10: Tusiata Avia
Racist slurs and a tin of corned beef – how award-winning poet and performer Tusiata Avia came to be the voice of New Zealand Pasifika. Video / Frank Film
Calum Haslop unveils Australasia's largest all-electric bus depot in New Lynn
Calum Haslop, the New Zealand head of bus operator Kinetic, unveils the largest all-electric bus depot in New Zealand and Australia, located in New Lynn, West Auckland.
Inside the Rovers: The Captain
Napier City Rovers captain Jim Hoyle opens up on leadership, juggling friendships with captaincy, and being back on the same team as his brother. Video / Neil Reid
Kea Kids: South Auckland is alive with the sound of sirens! But it’s not what you think
Reporter Malakai is hanging out with the Steady Bassin Crew, who are wiring up their bikes to go head to head in a battle that will rattle the neighbourhood! Video / Kea Kids
Watch: Those About To Die official trailer
A sword-and-sandals epic starring Sir Anthony Hopkins, and directed by Roland Emmerich and Marco Kreuzpaintner, the series debuts on Prime Video on Friday, July 19, 2024.
Kea Kids News: 9-year-old wakeboarding prodigy is headed to the World Champs
Waikato kid Harper is only nine, but she’s already making waves on the wakeboarding scene! Reporter Anne hits Lake Karapiro ahead of Harper’s big trip to the Gold Coast.
Former Olympian falls through ice
Andrew Nicholson says he's lucky to be alive after skating at a frozen Otago dam and falling through the ice. Video / Andrew Nicholson