Dame Rangimārie Naida Glavish: Prominent Māori community leader, cultural advisor, and lifelong indigenous rights advocate.
Best known to many as "The Kia Ora Lady", Dame Naida famously sparked a national movement in 1984 when she stood her ground to use the Māori greeting as a telephone toll operator. Her unyielding courage shifted the cultural landscape of New Zealand and paved the way for the revitalisation of te reo Māori.
Beyond that defining moment, Dame Naida’s life has been a masterclass in service and leadership. From her upbringing on the shores of the Kaipara Harbour to serving as the President of the Māori Party and her decades-long mahi transforming cultural safety and tikanga within our healthcare system, her story is deeply inspiring. Because Real Life is broadcast live, there's no script. Expect a raw, honest, and profound conversation covering her newly released memoir, her worldview, and what it truly means to lead from the heart.
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