Interviews – Create Happy Media

Behind the Pen: An Interview With Kyle Mewbern

Kyle is the award-winning author of children’s books like Old Huhu and Dragon Knight, as well as her recent historical fiction novel, Sewing Moonlight. She is based in Central Otago. Ella: Who are you? Kyle: I’m Kyle Mewbern, and I’m…

Interview with Megg Alexander

Shortland Street, one of New Zealand’s long-running and favourite soap operas has featured famous faces. However, not a lot of people talk about the children and teenagers of Shortland Street, so I had a chat with Megg Alexander about her…

Art is Play: Lessons in Creativity from Young Filmmakers

New Zealand Youth Film Festival (NZYFF) marks the first red carpet for many of tonight’s young nominees, but not the last. Out of over 426 entries from those between the ages of 15-24, only the cream of the creative crop…

Power of Passion: An Interview with Monique van der Westhuizen

Most Kiwi kids are no strangers to small towns and all the bittersweet feelings that come from living in them. It’s tricky to find something to be passionate about, but once you do, beautiful things happen. Monique van der Westhuizen…

School Strike 4 Climate: An Interview

It would be fair to say that the ‘ideas team’ of School Strike 4 Climate Aotearoa is pushing for bigger. 2023 began with a nationwide strike for climate justice (no small feat), followed only a few months later by a…

An Interview with Mental Health Matters Initiative

The Mental Health Matters Initiative, run by Amy Skipper and Kayla, is a youth activism organisation advocating for a series of systemic fixes to address the mental health crisis in Aotearoa. I sat down with Amy and Kayla to discuss…

From Passion to Action, Sophie Weenink’s journey as a climate activist

Sophie Weenink has been a social justice and environmental activist since 2019. Passionate about the environment since a young age, her first official event at age 13 was a beach clean-up that she posted on Facebook. Organising free food and…

Meet Aotea Taylor, the 19-Year-Old Breeding New Zealand’s Most Sought After Horses

Aotea Taylor is a 19-year-old horse breeder from King Country. From being a Muay Thai National Champion to establishing a Pedigree Stud Farm and working alongside her dad to help struggling youth get back on their feet, Aotea’s story, of…