Asian in Aotearo‪a‬ Jenna Wee

Recorded in front of a live audience at yölkfest (a cool, inspiring Pan-Asian creative event), I invited Amanda Grace Leo from episode 1 back to continue our uncensored conversation.

Amanda is Kiwi Singaporean, Peranakan-Chinese, an actor, jazz singer, face painter and friend - who is also writing New Zealand’s first Asian cabaret. We talk about: Body-stuff. Pleasure. Representation. Being visible. Friendships. Saying no. Big Ang Pow Energy!

Thank you Gwen & Alyssa from yölk for having us, and to the audience who made this recording extra special.



@amandagleo

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Sam is a Chinese-Kiwi who grew up literally in a noodle factory in Fiji. He’s one of the top coffee pros in the world, a Chinese gastronomy enthusiast and if you’re into food and coffee, you’re probably already following him on Instagram (or you should be anyway).

In this convo, we talk about Sam’s background and his passions, along with body image, tattoos, dating and more.

@_sam_low_ / @samlowcoffee

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Aiwa is a Thai-Chinese mother, writer, theatre-maker, performer and poet based in Auckland. With Gemishka Chetty (featured a few episodes back!), Aiwa co-created Creative Creatures, an arts collective featuring Asian women. We discuss Aiwa’s background, Tinder, poetry, family and life.

@creativecreature_s / @mama_aiwa

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Gwen is a Chinese-New Zealander, creative producer, director, and story-listener. A participant in Helen Yeung’s Asian Feminist Project, we met in person at an Asians Supporting Tino Rangatiratanga workshop. We talk about racism (⚠️ CW/TW), being unapologetic, finding your voice through storytelling, serendipitous connection and Gwen’s creative work including yölk.



Listen to Gwen & Alyssa’s podcast here

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Helen is a Hong Kong-Chinese researcher, community organiser, zine-maker, illustrator, plant auntie, lover of noodles and a bit of everything else.

We talk about Helen’s research work (including Asian Feminist Project Aotearoa), Migrant Zine Collective, Asian-New Zealand identity and “fitting in”, love, activism, academia and more.



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Gemishka Chetty is South African-Indian and a poet, artist, writer and performer – who, with her creative partner Aiwa Pooamorn, brought shows like Go Home Curry Muncha and Have you ever been with an Asian womxn? to life.

In Episode 4, Gemishka talks about cultural appropriation and decolonisation, along with sex, festishisation, representation and racism.

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