 | Matai Smith -Television
Variety is delighted that longtime Variety supporter and television personality Matai Smith has agreed to act as a mentor for Akayshia Williams, who also hails from Gisborne.After a very positive and successful Mäori Language Week in 2007, Matai stayed on as Good Morning's resident Monday morning kaiako/teacher on TV1. He is well-known for his television role on Pukana, and was also involved with producing the programme. |
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coming soon | Dean Kent - Swimming
Dean Kent brings a wealth of international swimming experience to his mentoring role with Holden Stirling. At the 2004 Olympics, he set the New Zealand record for the 200m and 400. He represented New Zealand at both the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympics and won the silver medal for the 200m individual medley. at the 2006 Commonwealth Games |
 | Bridget Douglas - Flute
Bridget Douglas holds the position of Principal
Flute with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
Bridget performs regularly with leading musicians
in solo and chamber music concerts throughout Australasia. She plays with harpist Carolyn Mills in
the duo Flight. They have
recently released a CD of music for flute and harp. She also plays in the
wind quintet Zephyr with fellow
NZSO principals.
Bridget is actively involved in the performance of
new music and is a co-founder of the contemporary ensemble Stroma. She has released two CD’s
with pianist Rachel Thomson: Syrinx; French music for flute and
piano which was released in 2003 and Taurangi; a double CD of NZ flute
and piano music which was released in 2006.
After completing undergraduate work in NZ, Bridget
did graduate study in the USA with the assistance of a
Fulbright Scholarship. While in the
USA, Bridget won several
competitions including the Artists International Award, resulting in a
debut recital at Carnegie Hall.
Bridget's experience will be invaluable for Aine Kelly-Costello . |
 | Shane Bond - Cricket Shane Bond's international cricket experience will assist him as he mentors fellow Cantabrian Breandon Malone .He is among the fastest bowlers in the world, and with his arrival the potency of the attack has increased. The quickest New Zealander to reach 50 one-day international wickets, including a national best of 6 for 22 against Australia in the 2003 World Cup. He has recently returned to playing international cricket for New Zealand. Shane was an ambassador for the 2008 Variety Annual Appeal. |
 | Jayne Keily - Athletics and television
Former international athlete and now television host Jayne Keily has a a wealth of experience as she acts as a mentor for Chelsea Seagar Jayne represented New Zealand in track and field on a number of occasions including the 1986 and 1990 Commonwealth Games. She has turned her talents to television where she now hosts Mitre10 Dream Home. |
 | Helen Norfolk - Swimming
Helen was the first New Zealand swimmer to compete in three Olympic Game and was a bronze medallist at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. She currently holds a number of New Zealand records in freestyle and the individual medley. Her wealth of international experience will be of great benefit as she acts as a mentor to Daniel Holt. |
| Liz Coster - Swimming Liz Coster has been a mentor for Rebecca Dubber for 3 years - she brings the experience of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and of numerous other international swimming achievements to the relationship. |
 | Paul Henare - Basketball
Paul Henare plays for the New Zealand Breakers in the Australian National Basketball League and has represented New Zealand as a member of the Tall Blacks on a number of occasions. His record at the Breakers is unparalleled - he is the only player to be on the elite roster for the club's first five seasons and has also been the club's captain on a number of occasions. His leadership skills and talent will assist Brittney and Charlie Vermunt as they strive to emulate his success. . |
 | Tony Christiansen - Motivator, Author, Businessman, Life-guard, Mountain Climber...
...the list goes on - in fact there is not much Tony hasn't done and done successfully! He is living proof that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.
It is that attitude and special determination that Tony will bring to his relationship with Blake Leitch - a young man determined that nothing will stop him doing whatever he chooses to do. |
