James Griffin is not a fan of Filthy Rich and Dirty Laundry, two major TVNZ shows that launched last year.

Kiwi opera star Madeleine Pierard was studying to be a doctor when composer Jack Body inspired her to sing instead.

Auckland Arts Festival chief executive David Inns sees up to 150 shows a year around the world and does the deals to bring them to New Zealand.

Scott Newman manages a stable of elite athletes, including Olympic bronze medalists Eliza McCartney and Tom Walsh.

Design writer Douglas Lloyd Jenkins has been a Herald, Listener and Home magazine contributor and hosted The Big Art Trip on television.

1 When were you last embarrassed? I'm embarrassed all the time. I've thought about it quite often and wonder if it's a form of depression

12 Questions: Shortland Street star JJ Fong has made a steamy impression on the long-running Kiwi soap - but there's much more to her talents than just acting.

Byron Coll, best known as All Blacks super-fan Tim in thoseMastercard ads, helped Dan Carter pull an epic stunt on the entire team.

South African-born comedian Urzila Carlson tells of her childhood escape from her abusive father, the reasons she became a Kiwi.

Damon Stapleton is one of the world's most awarded advertising creatives. The South African migrant now helms DDB New Zealand.

America's Cup and Olympic sailor Kevin Hall says losing two testicles to cancer was 'the easy part' compared to living with bipolar disorder.

Kelleigh Burkett is living with secondary breast cancer. She says the charity Sweet Louise is a huge help for those diagnosed with the incurable illness.

Actor Emmett Skilton shot to fame playing the skinny Viking god Axl in The Almighty Johnsons. Now he is directing the hit comedy web series Auckward Love.

Dancer Rodney Bell spent 3 years homeless in San Fran; his show Meremere reflects this.

Glen Innes art gallery director Gary Silipa led a double life as a computer network engineer during the day and illegal graffiti artist at night until his addictions got the better of him.

Former Burmese refugee Yamin Tun talks to Jennifer Dann about the inspiration for her films.

Building the $35 million ASB Waterfront Theatre has been the biggest challenge yet for Auckland's 'Mr Theatre' Alun Larsen.

Mercy Brewer is a finalist in the World of Wearable Art awards for her Baroque period costume of an ape carrying a woman's severed head in a cage.

Auckland Council planning manager John Duguid led the Unitary Plan process. He was relieved was see the 'massive beast' come into force.

Property developer Helen O'Sullivan says Unitary Plan will greatly help solve Auckland's housing crisis by enabling developers to build mid-priced housing.

In his new book Things That Matter, Middlemore Hospital intensive care specialist Dr David Galler discusses stories of life and death including his mother.

As New Zealand Police's top crisis negotiator, Lance Burdett reveals how he talked 'the mad, the bad and the sad' back from the brink.

Reporter Rebecca Wright has revealed her most embarrassing moment, saying she froze during a live Anzac Day cross and didn't want to go back to work.

Award-winning director Sara Brodie drew on her experience of brain injury to depict the inner world of an autistic teenager in her new play.

Artist Bob Kerr illustrated the seminal Kiwi comic Terry Teo which was made into a popular 1980s TV series.

Tearepa Kahi's documentary Poi E: The Story of Our Song debuts at the NZ International Film Festival this month in time for Matariki, the Maori New Year.

Apollo Taito is a sergeant in the NZ Army, an ambassador for animal rights organisation Safe and one of an estimated five Samoan vegans in the country.

Former police detective Cushla Watson worked on some of the highest profile cases of the 1980s. She recalls what it was like being female in the force.

Todd Emerson goes back to 1980s NZ in three of his current roles in TV3 series Westside, the popular play Hudson and Halls and Kiwi rock musical Daffodils.

"Some shifts I'll count up to 80 per cent of cases involving alcohol or drugs."