Best Summer Ever

Notable Kiwis take us back to their best summer ever.

Produced by Evie Ashton

White bubbly title says "Best summer ever", colourful stripes fill the background.

RNZ exclusive

This podcast is only available on the RNZ website and apps, ad‑free and uninterrupted.

Mai Chen

Mai Chen

Public law expert, Mai Chen, weaves together summers past picking cherries, hiking the Hump Ridge Track and a beautiful dog called Socrates.
Mai standing on a boardwalk in the wilderness with a mountain in the background

Hamish Kerr

When gold medal-winning high jumper Hamish Kerr finds himself under pressure in the field, he closes his eyes and remembers a place that features in this teenage summer, circa 2011.
Hamish Kerr of New Zealand celebrates winning the Men's High Jump final at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

Dame Denise L'Estrange Corbet

It’s 1976, and fashion designer Dame Denise L’Estrange Corbet is a teenager in a heatwave in South West London, feeling her freedom for the first time.
A candid selfie photo of Denise and Anita

Dave Letele

Buttabean motivator and social activist, Dave Letele, loves a simple summer - just him, his wife, his boys, and unfettered access to the remote control.
Dave Letele in studio with Guyon Espiner.

Dai Henwood

In 1988 comedian Dai Henwood was the tallest boy in the North Piha Campground. He remembers a special place in time, with special people.
A young Dai rides a bicycle in a camp ground, with a vintage car and caravan in the background

Justine Smith

Comedian Justine Smith treasures the memories of her family caravan holidays in the South Island, with her big sister, her calm-in-a crisis dad and her mum, who always had the perfect 70s holiday hair-set.
A black and white photograph of Justine as a child