Actor and producer Aroha Rawson is known for starring in comedy series Mean Mums and is currently working with indigenous playwrights to present new works in the Kōanga Festival 2022, presented by Te Pou Theatre at Basement Theatre and Corban Estate, September 23-October 8. Here she talks about self-parenting, living with chronic pain, and naked sea swimming.
To say morning is not my strong suit would be very generous! Maybe because of this, and with early morning starts on set, I do have a bag of tools: Go to bed before 10pm. No phone. Magnesium. I have an alarm with a gentle sound, so I don't wake up grumpy. I set it early…enough time for two or three snoozes, a gentle rise from the depths.
My routine consists of a shower first, it's vital to get my whole system cranked and refreshed for the day. If there is a river or beach outside, a swim first is the best. Rooibos tea and gluten-free toast with marmalade or my homemade cereal with stewed or fresh fruit. Check emails.
I can't start my day without water, coffee and a glimpse of the Waitematā to settle my flow.
Conveying the truth of who I am and my mood through my visual presentation is a large part of how I communicate with the world and simultaneously how I feel most comfortable. That applies to choices for a full-blown film premiere outfit, as much as it does to when I am working at home in the comfiest tracksuit, my favourite ring and my Red Band gumboots for a dash to the mailbox, or naked in the sea.
