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In this episode of Takatāpui Talk, Donald Hollingsworth sits down with dancer, choreographer and breathwork facilitator Taane Mete.

Taane shares the story of a life shaped by movement — from childhood imagination and the freedom he found in dance, to performing with some of Aotearoa’s most respected companies, exploring drag, and eventually guiding others through breathwork, yoga and healing.

This is a warm and deeply personal conversation about identity, grief, creativity, embodiment and what it means to live fully as takatāpui.

Listen as Taane reflects on the people who believed in him, the experiences that shaped him, and the importance of love, movement and connection.

Thank you for listening to Takatāpui Talk with Donald Hollingsworth.

If this kōrero resonated with you, please follow, share, and leave a review on your favourite podcast platform. Your support helps these stories reach more people across Aotearoa and beyond.

Follow Takatāpui Talk on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for episode updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and upcoming interviews.

Our conversations.
Our stories.
Our voices.

Arohanui.

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For the first time on Takatāpui Talk, the host becomes the guest.

In this deeply personal episode, award-winning journalist and broadcaster Claudette Hauiti turns the microphone on Donald Hollingsworth — internationally recognised hair and makeup artist, salon owner, and creator of Takatāpui Talk.

Together they explore Donald's childhood in Rotorua, growing up Takatāpui, the unconditional love of his father and whānau, and the experiences that shaped a remarkable life and career.

From dressing up in his aunties' clothes as a little boy, to opening his first salon in Sydney, working with international celebrities, navigating grief, loss, heartbreak, and ultimately returning home to create a space where our stories can be shared, this is a conversation about resilience, identity, and belonging.

This episode is filled with laughter, tears, and the memories of the people who helped shape the man Donald is today.

At its heart, this is a story about family, courage, and the power of living an authentic life.

These are the conversations that remind us we have always been here, our stories matter, and our voices deserve to be heard.

Ngā mihi nui to Claudette Hauiti for her generosity, friendship, and thoughtful interviewing.

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Important Conversations • Our Voices • Our Stories

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Thank you for listening to Takatāpui Talk with Donald Hollingsworth.

If this kōrero resonated with you, please follow, share, and leave a review on your favourite podcast platform. Your support helps these stories reach more people across Aotearoa and beyond.

Follow Takatāpui Talk on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for episode updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and upcoming interviews.

Our conversations.
Our stories.
Our voices.

Arohanui.

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Claudette Hauiti — Media, Politics, Identity & Belonging

In this episode of Takatāpui Talk, Donald Hollingsworth sits down with broadcaster, political journalist, media leader, sports enthusiast, and proud mother Claudette Hauiti.

From her upbringing in Aotearoa to her years in the media spotlight and the halls of Parliament, Claudette shares a deeply personal journey of identity, courage, and finding her place in the world. Together, Donald and Claudette explore what it was like growing up as Takatāpui, the importance of remaining connected to whenua, whānau and te ao Māori, and the changing visibility of rainbow communities in Aotearoa.

They reflect on the groundbreaking Māori Television series Takatāpui, discuss Claudette's experiences in the Press Gallery holding political leaders to account, and revisit the moments that shaped her understanding of who she was and who she could become.

This is a conversation filled with humour, honesty, insight and reflection — a reminder that our stories matter, our voices matter, and that being seen can change lives.

Topics include:
• Growing up Takatāpui in Aotearoa
• Whānau, identity and belonging
• The impact of Māori Television's Takatāpui series
• Women in sport and leadership
• Journalism, politics and speaking truth to power
• Visibility, representation and resilience

Real conversations. Real voices. Our stories.

Hosted by Donald Hollingsworth.

Thank you for listening to Takatāpui Talk with Donald Hollingsworth.

If this kōrero resonated with you, please follow, share, and leave a review on your favourite podcast platform. Your support helps these stories reach more people across Aotearoa and beyond.

Follow Takatāpui Talk on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for episode updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and upcoming interviews.

Our conversations.
Our stories.
Our voices.

Arohanui.