Siala

Can you juggle?

Like I can do 3 things for maybe 2 rotations.

Roatations? What are you juggling with?

Yeah 'rotations' is the word I've chosen to go with. No, manderins or other citrus fruits. Surely that's what everyone juggles with. My hoop teacher juggles.

What's a hoop teacher?

An aerial hoop teacher,ime something from the circus. You get in a big metal hoop that spins in the air.

You spin around in huge metal hoop?

Yeah, someone pointed out that spinning is a stim. It resets your nervous system which is something people seems to be really into at the moment. It makes so much sense for the group of 30+ women in that class. Hoop is probably the thing that's taught me the most discipline in my adult life. I've been doing it so long that I'm licensed to spin.

Will you miss the hoop community?

Massively, I'll miss the hoop troop. But I'm excited to be in London. There's so many people doing so many cool things to such a high standard that's more accessible. However big love to my Brighton community!

I suppose the flip side is true, lots of people doing things to a low standard?

Tell me more.

I'm not even digging anyone out.

Just digging yourself in.

Yup, I just mean there's a large range in this city.

Where's Coborn?

Somewhere in the middle. Just turning beans brown.

A job well done.

Do you miss New Zealand?

I miss my sister.

Older or younger?

Older. And I miss my godmother and the beaches.

Godmother, older or younger?

Older.

But you thought about it. So the beaches?

I grew up in West Auckland. In Muriwai there's black sand beaches and the surf is incredible. Not that I can surf though. We used to go to a beautiful beach called Cheltenham every Christmas with a chilly bin full of watermelon. The water would go so far out you could set up anywhere, but when it came back you'd inch the picnic basket further and further up the beach. But yeah I miss the beach.

So you're leaving the coastal town of Brighton for London. So do you think Lord of the Rings was an accurate depiction of New Zealand?

Yeah, we're all hobbits. Actually no because we're all pretty tall. The islanders are. I'm Pacifican and I'm pretty tall. Maybe the islanders would be the rangers.

What is your obsession with Mexico?

It's warm. What's not to be obsessed with? The culture is so ancient there and it's so valued by descendants of it. I wonder if it's a transplant of a disconnect with my indigenous roots. I studied Te Reo Māori so I'm drawn to the connection with cultures.

Does it fill a void you feel you're missing?

Yes, but it's actually beautiful. The pride of the people in Mexico is powerful. I'm seeing more of that pride in New Zealand. This musician Marlon Williams,his most recent album is in Te Reo. Such a powerful thing to do. Going from not being allowed to speak Māori back in colonial days to doing an album in Māori. The same colonial nonsense that still pervades coffee.

Side note, I think you're one of the few people I know that actually cares about coffee.

I can attribute that to my first boss, Jason Moore. He cared and he taught me. The businesses I really value and I hope to see succeed are small businesses that don't have these rapid growth mindsets. Unlike Coborn, which aims for global domination by 2027.

Yup, we're actually looking to acquire Costa.

I think coffee is really frustrating. We know so little about something we consume so much of. Just like when I go to the doctors, I know so little about this body I inhabit. Oh and I can't cook so there's that. What do you care about

How do you stay positive?

What makes you think I'm positive? Therapy helps. I only started this year but it helps a lot. Alongside the deep darkness, I feel surrounded by some of the most wonderful and inspiring people in the world. I've got really good friends despite the fact that I'm awkward and bad at making friends.

Last question.

You need a quick fire round

How do you feel Trump's trade tarrifs are going to affect New Zealand?

Poorly?

If you were a bag of crisps, what crisps would you be?

Monster Munch.

What's your favourite dessert?

Tiramisu.

Favourite album of all time?

I live Alex G and Diiv.

Who's the most influential person in your life? Apart from me.

My sister. I do anything she's already done. If she'd already done, I would feel as though I could do it. Whether it's music, studying away from home or moving to England. I have very low self esteem accompanied by unbelievable arrogance. I always turn to her for advice. Obviously it wasn't going to be you.