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Did you used to watch Power Rangers as a child? Or maybe you’re still a fan of the series? Tessa is a Kiwi actress who starred as Izzy Garcia, the Green Ranger on Netflix’s “Power Rangers: Dino Fury,” which has been renewed for its 3rd season, “Cosmic Fury.” She is also a multi-disciplinary writer, singer/songwriter, and musician who trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and has worked in film and theatre in both the US and NZ. Tessa joins Leo and Christine on ALTBAYS Table Talk for a good korero. Watch it here now!
Show 265 - Tessa Rao (Kiwi Actress)
Welcome to the ALTBAYS Table Talk (featuring Christine Threadgold and Leo Magri)
Tessa is a Kiwi actress of European and Indian descent. She starred as Izzy Garcia, the Green Ranger on Netflix’s “Power Rangers: Dino Fury”, renewed for its 3rd season, “Cosmic Fury”. 
She also performed in Indian Ink Theatre Company’s “Dirty Work: An Ode to Joy”, which will begin its 2nd national tour in May. 
A multi-disciplinary writer, singer/songwriter and musician, Tessa trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and has worked in film and theatre within both the US and NZ since.
ALTBAYS Table Talk invites awesome people from Aotearoa to have an honest, laid-back conversation. Our platform focuses on bringing communities together to grow and thrive.

Do you love video games? Ever wondered how they're made? Meet Amber Taylor, an influential entrepreneur, CEO, and Co-Founder of ARA Journeys. She advocates for diversity in the tech industry and has led her company in creating innovative and transformative platforms that combine immersive technologies and artificial intelligence with the knowledge of the natural world and Māori culture. Join Blair Murray and Leo Magri for this insightful chat, and send us your questions for Amber. Watch it here now!
Show 264- Amber Taylor (ARA Journeys CEO/Tech Pioneer)
Welcome to the ALTBAYS Table Talk (featuring Blair Murray and Leo Magri)
Amber Taylor (Ngāti Whātua, Te Rarawa, Ngapuhi, Ngāti Mutunga, Te Āti Awa)  is an influential entrepreneur, tech pioneer, and advocate for diversity in the tech industry. As the CEO and Co-Founder of ARA Journeys, she has led the company in creating innovative and transformative platforms that combine immersive technologies and artificial intelligence with the knowledge of the natural world and Māori culture. Under her leadership, ARA Journeys has been recognised as a leading digital tech innovator, with award-winning platforms that are changing the way we approach education, health, and tourism. Amber's work emphasises meaningful connections, improved learning experiences, and exploration while amplifying underrepresented indigenous voices in the immersive games industry.
Beyond her role at ARA Journeys, Amber's commitment to diversity in the tech sector takes centre stage. She actively mentors aspiring women founders through her involvement with NZ Business Mentors and co-founded the Women Tech Founders NZ network, where she empowers and guides women, bridging gender gaps and fostering future leaders. Serving as a seasoned board director and business mentor, Amber passionately advocates for Māori and Pasifika talent, tirelessly working towards greater representation and inclusion of underrepresented communities in the tech space.
ALTBAYS Table Talk invites awesome people from Aotearoa to have an honest, laid-back conversation. Our platform focuses on bringing communities together to grow and thrive.

Do you know what the Fast Track Bill that the NZ government is seeking to approve in three days is, and how it can affect you? Denis Tegg, a lawyer and former Regional Councillor who’s been advocating for the environment for many years, comes to the ALTBAYS Table Talk to chat with Roimata Taimana and Leo Magri about the Fast Track Bill, coastal hazards in Aotearoa, water quality, the threat to .the New Zealand dairy industry and our economy from precision fermentation, and much more! Watch it here now and send us a question!
Show 263- Denis Tegg (Former Regional Councillor/Lawyer)
Welcome to the ALTBAYS Table Talk (featuring Roimata Taimana and Leo Magri)
Denis Tegg is a resident of Thames with an impressive 50-year career as a lawyer. Denis brings a wealth of experience, having served on the Waikato Regional Council and actively advocated for public transport in Thames-Coromandel. His environmental activism, including his involvement with Coromandel Watchdog since 1980, has led to notable legal victories and a focus on coastal hazards and climate change.
In this episode, Denis delves into pressing topics such as the Fast Track Bill, coastal hazards nationwide, and electric and autonomous vehicles. He also sheds light on water quality and the looming threat to New Zealand's dairy industry from precision fermentation and the convergence of several disruptive technologies, renewable energy, AI, robotics and others how they will transform our economy and might – just might prevent the worst of climate change.
ALTBAYS Table Talk invites awesome people from Aotearoa to have an honest, laid-back conversation. Our platform focuses on bringing communities together to grow and thrive.

Are you a kina fan? Did you know that the global kina industry is worth half a billion dollars a year? Dion is a commercial kina diver passionate about the moana. He was a part of the TV show ‘Spiky Gold Hunters’ and alongside his partner Reremoana, runs the successful Coasty Kidds, which is all about teaching the next generation how to look after our environment. Join Leo Magri and the surfer/teacher Sean Butler for this top chat at the ALTBAYS Table Talk. Watch it here now and send your questions!
Show 262- Dion Aupouri-Akuhata (Commercial Kina Diver/Coasty Kidds)
Welcome to the ALTBAYS Table Talk (featuring Sean Butler and Leo Magri)
Dion Aupouri-Akuhata isn't just a commercial kina diver; he's deeply connected to the ocean and its treasures. Raised on Aotearoa New Zealand's coastal waters, Dion's journey into commercial diving stemmed from a childhood fascination with the sea.
His passion for free-diving, spearfishing, and surfing led him to admire spearfishing champion Dwane Herbert, eventually inspiring him to take the plunge into commercial kina diving around 2018. However, Dion's path took an unexpected turn when he became a cast member of the real-life action series, "Spiky Gold Hunters."
Despite the risks and the spotlight, Dion remains committed to showcasing the challenges and rewards of commercial diving while advocating for water safety. With a family history deeply rooted in commercial diving, Dion faces the perils of his profession with unwavering resolve, from near-blackouts to encounters with Great White Sharks.
Beyond his exploits in the ocean, Dion is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and passion with others. Through free-diving safety sessions and educational programs like "Tamariki of the Tides," he empowers coastal communities with the skills to navigate the waters safely.
Dion also shares his adventures through his lifestyle blog, Coasty_Kidds, on Facebook and Instagram, as he explores the depths of the ocean, embraces the challenges of his profession, and champions water safety for all.
ALTBAYS Table Talk invites awesome people from Aotearoa to have an honest, laid-back conversation. Our platform focuses on bringing communities together to grow and thrive.

Are you brave enough to be your knife thrower partner’s assistant? What about daring to swallow a sword as a party trick? Rachel Atlas, an international circus performer and writer, has showcased her talents in over 18 countries across 4 continents. She was part of Ozzfest and, in 2022, debuted her autobiographical solo theatre show, 'Gag Reflex,' at NZ Fringe, winning the 'Best in Fringe' and 'Tour Ready-Adelaide' awards. Rachel joins the ALTBAYS Table Talk podcast to discuss her unique lifestyle with Elvisa Van Der Leden and Leo Magri. Watch the live episode now and send us your questions!
Show 261 - Rachel Atlas (Sword Swallower/Writer)
Welcome to the ALTBAYS Table Talk (featuring Elvisa Van Der Leden and Leo Magri)
Rachel Atlas is an international circus performer, event emcee and writer.  
Born in London and currently living in Aotearoa, she’s performed in over 18 different countries on 4 different continents.  She began her career touring the USA with the travelling vaudeville show The Pretty Things Peepshow, a highlight of which was touring with Motley Crue, Judas Priest and Ozzy Osbourne on Ozzfest 2010.  Subsequent to this she founded her own touring show The Death Do Us Part Danger Show and they performed all over the world, bringing the vaudevillian art of knife throwing kicking and screaming into the 21st century.  
More recently she produced the large-scale gothic cabaret show Cirque Du Mort in Glasgow, Scotland.  She has been a sword swallower for over a decade and is currently the only active sword-swallower in Aotearoa.   In 2022 she wrote and debuted her autobiographical solo theatre show, Gag Reflex, at NZ Fringe and  won the  “Best In Fringe” and “Tour Ready-Adelaide” awards.  
Subsequently she was awarded a residency at BATS Theatre where she devised and wrote her second play Tales From The Strypt which debuted at NZ Fringe 2023 and featured the combined words and stories of six Aotearoa sex workers.  Gag Reflex has also been performed at Tahi Festival in Wellington and the Right Royal Cabaret Festival in Taranaki. 
Rachel lives in Wellington and is currently working on a new circus show called the Dangerous Darlings with the reknowned nz circus performer Laura Oakley, as well as writing her next play and her first novel.
ALTBAYS Table Talk invites awesome people from Aotearoa to have an honest, laid-back conversation. Our platform focuses on bringing communities together to grow and thrive.

How close are you to your school friends? Benji, the lead singer of the band Flaxxies, has been playing music with his high school mates for a while, and now they’re climbing the ladder to become one of the most loved bands by the youth in Aotearoa NZ. Benji joins Leo Magri and singer Yazmin Todd 'FĒI LÍN' for a chat about playing at the most iconic festival in the country, recording with the legendary Tiki Tane, and much more!
Show 260 - Benji Humphries (Flaxxies Singer/Songwriter)
Welcome to the ALTBAYS Table Talk (featuring Yazmin Todd and Leo Magri)
Benji Humphries is the lead singer of the New Zealand Surf Rock band Flaxxies. He was a guest on our podcast a couple of years ago (episode #24), and a lot has happened to Benji and his groovy band since then. 
From playing at iconic festivals around Aotearoa to having an EP produced by the legendary Tiki Tane, Benji is having a blast consolidating his musical career while enjoying life and the sun in Coromandel whenever possible. 
Benji comes back to our show to chat with Leo Magri and the super talented singer/songwriter, Yazmin Todd 'FĒI LÍN'. 
ALTBAYS Table Talk invites awesome people from Aotearoa to have an honest, laid-back conversation. Our platform focuses on bringing communities together to grow and thrive.