Who are the young Kiwis set to shake things up this year in the worlds of entertainment, music, art, modelling, sport and politics? Ricardo Simich picks the ones to
watch.

Shorty’s new star

Evander Brown, 27, made his Shortland Street debut in the recent Christmas cliffhanger. His character Ihaia had a fiery New Year’s Eve fling with Monique (played by Courtenay Louise).

The proud New Zealand-Māori-Tongan actor used last year to consolidate and build on his experience after attending the Stella Adler Academy of Acting in Hollywood in 2022.

Brown says getting a role on Shorty has invigorated his commitment to his craft and his passion for acting will only continue to grow as he brings his character to life for viewers this year.

“I’m also excited to continue working to amplify diversity, collaborating with professionals who share a passion for storytelling and authenticity,” Brown says. “Currently, I have projects in the pipeline which have provided me the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our world of storytelling.”

Brown’s dream is to be a powerful advocate for diversity in the film industry, breaking barriers and inspiring future generations of Polynesian actors.

His advice to others this year is to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.

“Stay committed to your purpose with passion and build a supportive network around you,” he says. “Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who inspire and uplift you. Reflect on your achievements regularly, and don’t be afraid to take risks to propel your career forward.”

The model

Ruby Honore, 17, has just appeared in a stunning multi-page spread in fashion bible Fashion Quarterly and was on the December cover of Newmarket magazine.

Honore’s father Dean can be seen on billboards around Auckland, and she says his career as a distinguished model, primarily based in Paris during the vibrant era of the 90s, serves as the wellspring of her inspiration.

The pair modelled together in the recent Commercial Bay Solstice 2023: Fashion Show, and Ruby says among the multitude of experiences in her career, one stands out as a cherished memory – a collaborative endeavour with her father for a Woman’s Weekly issue when she was merely 10.

“Currently, I’m keeping busy as a young model in New Zealand, working with several amazing NZ designers, photographers and makeup artists,” she says. “I am so grateful for the frequent opportunities that come my way. I approach the future in the world of modelling with a genuine excitement for whatever unfolds.”

Honore is signed with top agency 62 Models and Talent and is hopeful about the prospect of taking her modelling career globally this year.

“As I near my 18th birthday, the dream is to venture into fashion capitals like Sydney, Milan, London, Paris and Tokyo, seizing every opportunity to propel my career to its fullest potential.”

“My advice to others is keep moving forward, step by step. And when opportunities show up, give it your all and put your best foot forward.”

The new MP

First-term National MP for Rangitata James Meager received a standing ovation for his maiden speech last month, prompting many to suggest the 36-year-old was a future leader.

Meager tells Spy the privilege of leading off the Address in Reply debate and being the first new MP to speak in the Parliament was a huge honour, and the feedback from it has been overwhelming.

Meager is to chair the Justice Committee, which he says is also a huge honour, and he anticipates a very large workload over the term.

“One of my goals is to lead a collegial and collaborative committee where members from both sides work together to improve legislation and provide scrutiny on the executive, which the legislature is here to do,” he says.

On an individual level, Meager would love for his member’s Bill to be drawn, debated and passed in Parliament.

“I have taken on Rt Hon Gerry Brownlee’s Autonomous Sanctions Bill and, having worked with the Ukrainian community in New Zealand, advocating strongly against Russia’s invasion, I would be so proud if we were able to pass a law which would mean New Zealand confirms its sovereign right to sanction countries who act unlawfully on the global stage.”

Meager intends to work hard, be diligent and demonstrate he is a safe pair of hands in the hope that at some stage down the track, the Prime Minister could consider him for a ministerial role.

This year, he is considering getting a new dog at home, as he thinks a new mate might be just the ticket.

“My advice is slow down and take your time when you need to, but act with haste, determination and decisiveness where it is warranted.”

The woman creating Big Fans

Aubrie Mitchell, 23, is a music producer, songwriter and audio engineer who works as a studio supervisor at Big Fan studios in Auckland’s Morningside. She is passionate about making an impact on the music scene.

Mitchell completed a Bachelor of Music at the University of Auckland, majoring in classical theory and music production. Since 2017, the multi-instrumentalist has worked with multiple bands and artists ranging in style from R&B to pop and reggae. Since she began working at Big Fan, Mitchell has worked in the studio with international artists such as alayna, Stan Walker and Rita Ora.

Mitchell says last year she was lucky enough to be featured and sing in Spark NZ’s “Hello Tomorrow” campaign in August.

“It was an absolutely wild experience seeing my face everywhere for a couple of months, but I’m truly grateful to have been a part of that project, as it let me express myself not only as a music producer, but also as an artist,” she says.

Mitchell also travelled to Los Angeles for an all-female, non-binary writing camp organised by SamXSam Productions and hosted by Page 1 Management. Back in NZ in November, she produced in a few writing camps at Big Fan and Roundhead Studios. She followed that up last month by signing with Page 1 Management as a producer, writer and artist and has also signed with Dryden Music Publishing.

This year, her big goal is to release her own music and continue to work with artists – especially emerging ones – in NZ, as well as internationally shape talent.

“Work hard and opportunities will follow. However, the advice I would have given myself last year is don’t overwork yourself, so you can make the most of the opportunities that do come.”

The art entrepreneur

Astin Parore, 20, the son of former Black Cap Adam Parore and Sally Ridge, embraced his mother’s love of art and turned it into a business, making the traditional art gallery an online experience.

Parore says his online art business essentialsnz.com, which he founded in 2020 during the pandemic, turned over six figures in revenue last year.

“My goal was to make art more accessible to everyone – a simple website rather than a gallery in another city,” he says.

The business has found customers in Australia and NZ. In Auckland, Parore has started doing home viewings to help clients see what art works best.

This yea, Parore will be in his third year of studies for his Bachelor of Commerce and Property. He has big plans for the future, and not necessarily in the art industry.

“My top goal is to helm a large-scale business with a robust supply chain here in New Zealand,” he says. “I really want to lead a big team and have a positive impact on New Zealand society [on] a much larger scale. This would be in an entrepreneurial and business sense.”

Parore is still trying to figure things out himself and is wary of giving out advice at a young age.

“I think people should maximise their aspirations relentlessly this year, and if you’ve been contemplating starting a business, seize the moment and launch it. Even though it might seem daunting, every small step counts.”

The producer

Morgan Waru, 31, is one to watch in the local film industry. She has been making waves behind the scenes in the screen industry for more than a decade, working at Taika Waititi and Carthew Neal’s production house Piki Films. Her recent producer credits include the Kiwi box office hits Baby Done and Red White & Brass.

Waru was on the production team for two films last year, and she tells Spy it felt extra-rewarding as she’d also juggled life as a new mum with a 1-year-old.

Early this year, Waru’s latest project The Mountain, directed by Rachel House, will be released, and she says it’s a gorgeous film they hope is going to do big things.

Waru says the cinema landscape is full of changes at the moment.

“I love film, but I’d also love to dig my teeth into television – there are so many groundbreaking stories and phenomenal storytellers in this space with more narrative room to play.”

This year, Waru would love to see more Kiwis going to see movies at the cinema.

“I’ll be working hard to encourage audiences to get their tickets and popcorn and have a shared experience in the theatre. It’s a luxurious expense, but it’s an incomparable feeling, going to a packed movie.”

“Stories can be either a mirror or a window, and we all need more of both; some time to reflect on what makes us all human and some time to escape that human experience for a hot minute.”

The future All Black

Pundits say 20-year-old Caleb Tangitau is destined to join the All Blacks within two years. In 2022, he competed for New Zealand at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town, and last year, Tangitau had his first year in Super Rugby for the Blues.

“I got to learn and grow from the likes of Beauden Barrett, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Patrick Tuipulotu,” he says.

“Now I’m excited with the knowledge I’ve learned from them going into this year for the Blues.”

Tangitau says his goals this year are getting a few more caps under his belt and continuing to improve as a player.

“My dream goal would be to take out the Super Rugby title in 2024 and make the All Blacks one day soon.”

His professional rugby career is mixed up with travelling for the Sevens and chipping away at his degree in sports with hopes of having his own business one day.

“My advice is to make sure you have the correct people around you, whether they are a mentor or, in my case, my agent Ben Boyle.”

The talent manager

It’s nearly seven years since Molly Littlejohn was on the season of the The Bachelor that featured Zac Franich. Since then, the 30-year-old has become a talent manager for the stars at People of Influence.

Her job is to understand the social mediums and pair her stars, such as Antonia Prebble or Teeks, with brands for social campaigns.

Two of her favourite campaigns last year were taking charge of Spark Arena’s TikTok account launch with musician Taylor Roche, and assisting with the talent management of what she calls the incredibly alluring Teeks x Nespresso Vertuo Pop campaign.

“These projects showcase just a glimpse of the impactful work we accomplished last year, and they taught us the importance of being flexible and rolling with whatever may come our way, which will help us set a good vibe [for] this year,” she says.

Littlejohn is super-excited to welcome New Zealand country music artist Kaylee Bell to the books and bring CGI and animation extraordinaire Blue-Monty Hamel on board as a user-generated content creator.

Littlejohn’s talent means the world to her, and she’s looking forward to continuing her work.

“[The stars] are always my top priority, and I feel like their best friend, big sister, and sometimes Kris Jenner ‘mom-ager’ all in one. I am there to make their lives easier, protect them and, of course, project them across all avenues.”

She says she is a typical anxious millennial who sometimes takes a project or an email a little too seriously, and an Aesha song taught her you have to break down to have a breakthrough

“I am still working on not sweating the small stuff, but I’ve realised that most problems have a reasonable solution, and asking for help is a game-changer.”

The inspirer

Loveable star Turia Schmidt-Peke, 30, says she made a big sacrifice competing on Celebrity Treasure Island (CTI) last year, which meant not being able to perform at Te Matatini festival. However, she can’t wait for the regionals this year.

Although Schmidt-Peke was nervous when CTI came out, she was so happy she did it and made the finals, showing Kiwis what a truly inspiring person she is. It taught her a lot and has helped her network.

“This year, I’m very excited to step into my first producer role on Pūkana, the long-running Māori-language children’s show,” she says.

As well as appearing for a sixth season of Ahikāroa as Geo this year, Schmidt-Peke also has a new, yet undisclosed show she is very excited about.

She is dreaming big this year, hoping for an international acting job, and she’d also love for her former Shortland Street character Steph to come back to Ferndale.

“Overall, I want to get out there more with auditions this year and do my best producing,” she says.

The best advice she has for others is to try something new.

“Try to push yourself out of your comfort zone. I did that a few times last year, and I’m really happy I did.”

The musical artist

Molly Payton, 22, tells Spy 2023 was a huge year for her.

“I came back to New Zealand from the UK, and then got dropped by my label and parted ways with my old manager, both in the space of a month,” she says.

Following the success of her 2021 mini-album Slack, which included her hit single Honey, Payton was tapped on the shoulder to join UK-based musician beabadoobee at her Australasian shows, as well as Tom Odell and Arlo Parks on their respective UK tours. An appearance at Barcelona’s Primavera Festival and a set of UK shows followed.

After her move back home, Payton got the push she needed to record her debut album, which she has self-funded and is releasing independently.

“I’ve really come into myself creatively last year, and have a new-found confidence in my music which I don’t think I could’ve found without starting from square one,” she says. “I now feel like I can handle whatever is thrown at me in the coming year and am excited to share what I’ve made with the world.”

Payton will start to share at Laneway in Auckland next month, after which she would love to do a full NZ tour.

“For anyone that’s going through it a bit, like I did at the start of last year, change is inevitable and so is your next good day. Accept things as they come and surround yourself with people who care about you, and things will look up.”