Oriini Kaipara

The Native Affairs presenter has vivid memories of childhood meals, including collecting pipi and cockles in Tutukaka as a six-year-old with her grandparents and enjoying family meals of boil-up pork bones in West Auckland.

Do the Maori Television team share meals? Ae.

Kai is an important part of Maori culture and it’s that way with us at Maori TV. We love our kai, but given the nature of our mahi/work, we don’t always get time to sit down together and share a meal. We eat on the fly. But on special broadcasts, we’re treated to catering. The Hangi Shop is a regular – its steamed pudding is superb.

When you’re filming, do you eat certain meals or at particular times? I try not to eat big meals an hour before we film Native Affairs because I get fatigued. One time last year, I ate four large pieces of pizza right before the show. I hadn’t eaten all day. The pizza was okay, but I felt really gross and struggled through my read. I learnt my lesson and haven’t done that again. But a must either before or after the show is chocolate.

How would you describe your diet and lifestyle? Terrible. On a good day I’ll eat lunch and dinner.

I have a late breakfast because my appetite doesn’t wake up until mid-morning. I start the day with coffee.

Most days I eat when I’m hungry and whatever is in sight. Most days I’ll grab sushi or sandwiches from across the road. On days when I’m snowed under, I forget to eat. I’ll realise at the end of the day when I’m tired and feel like crap that I

haven’t eaten.

What’s your favourite evening meal? Boil-up – pork bones with watercress and kumara.

Do you snack, and if so, what on? Not often enough. I’ll have a couple of pieces of fruit, a couple of muesli bars, chicken potato chips and, of course, a choco

late bar throughout the day.

What topics do you want to see on New Zealand’s political agenda? Suicide is our nation’s biggest shame. The statistics are alarming, disturbing and appalling – just like our mental health system, which needs serious work. Whanau are in desperate need of help and support yet our political priorities are out of touch with reality.

Election Aotearoa, Maori Television, Tuesdays, 8.00pm.