Storytelling with Integrity
Stories have the power to connect us. They help us understand ourselves, one another, and the communities we belong to. They preserve memory, challenge assumptions, and remind us of our shared humanity.
But not every story is told with care.
At Authenticity Studio, we believe storytelling is an act of responsibility. It isn't about creating heroes, chasing inspiration, or presenting polished versions of people's lives. It is about honouring lived experience with honesty, dignity, and context.
We don't tell stories that suggest success is linear or that people are defined by a single moment. Every life is shaped by struggle, uncertainty, resilience, joy, loss, and continual growth. We believe there is wisdom not only in where people arrive, but in how they find their way.
As Aotearoa continues to evolve, so too must the stories we preserve. They should reflect the richness and diversity of our communities—not only in who is represented, but in how their experiences are understood, respected, and remembered.
Through every conversation, reflection, and story we share, we hope to create greater understanding, strengthen a sense of belonging, and contribute to the living history of the people and communities that shape Aotearoa New Zealand.
Because storytelling, when practised with integrity, does more than inform.
It helps us remember.
It helps us understand.
It helps us belong.
The Soul of a Community: A Creative Journey Through Art with Clint Taniguchi
Clint Yukio Taniguchi’s journey across Hawai‘i, San Francisco, Tokyo and Aotearoa reveals how art can create connection, belonging and community. From spontaneous creative experiments to his work at Mairangi Arts Centre, Clint reflects on the power of creating spaces where people feel seen, heard and free to be themselves.
The Revival of Raranga: Dr Jo Diamond on Māori Art and Identity
Jo’s story is about receiving knowledge, finding the courage to embody it and accepting the responsibility to pass it forward. Her leadership is expressed through kaitiakitanga rather than status: caring for what came before, creating in the present and preparing a place for those still to come.
Mixed Heritage: Finding Wholeness Between Chinese and Kiwi Worlds | A Conversation with Rose Li
Rose Li reflects on growing up between Chinese and Kiwi worlds, the language that connected her to her father, and the journey of reclaiming her Chinese name. Her story reveals that mixed heritage is not about being divided into halves, but weaving every part of ourselves into a meaningful whole.
An Invitation to Live: Rethinking Suicide Prevention | Barry Taylor
After 38 years in suicide prevention, Barry Taylor believes the work is not simply about stopping death—it is about understanding distress and discovering what might invite someone to live. Drawing on his professional knowledge and lived experience of chronic depression and anxiety, Barry speaks about compassion, personhood, hope, purpose and the courage to remain present with another person’s pain.
The Courage to Dream and the Bravery to Follow It: Jai Jamali’s Journey in Dance
From saving his allowance for dance lessons in Singapore to performing in Disney’s The Lion King, Jai Jamali’s journey reflects courage, discipline and perseverance. His story reveals the unseen work behind a dream—and how he now uses everything he learned to help others discover confidence through movement.
Across Cultures and Continents: A Migrant GP’s Journey to New Zealand with Victoria Rey
Born in France with French and Mexican heritage, Victoria Rey grew up across Nigeria, Kenya, Belgium and Madagascar before moving to Aotearoa New Zealand as a GP. Her story explores migration, belonging, family legacy and the human side of medicine—reminding us that home can be carried through the people we love, and that good healthcare begins by seeing the person beyond the illness.
Language as a Gateway to People and Society: A 2nd-Generation Chinese Kiwi Story with Annemarie Wen
Growing up between Mandarin and English, Annemarie Wen discovered that language is more than words—it is a gateway to friendship, culture, identity and belonging. Her story offers a thoughtful glimpse into navigating two languages and finding connection across different worlds.
The Storytellers: Poetry, Migration and Social Justice with Jenny Janif MNZM & Esteban A Espinoza
What happens to the stories that are never written down? Jenny Janif MNZM and Esteban A. Espinoza explore how poetry and storytelling preserve cultural memory, carry migrant histories, challenge injustice and honour those who came before us.
It’s Their Future, Not Ours: Why Youth Voices Matter | A Conversation with Rachel Gu
Growing up across China, Vanuatu and New Zealand shaped Rachel Gu into a bridge between cultures, generations and communities. Her story reveals why young people must be genuinely heard, supported and included in decisions about the future they will inherit.
Coming Home to Ourselves: Because You Matter — A Conversation with Shelley Brunskill-Matson
After losing her father to suicide at 12, Dr Shelley Brunskill-Matson transformed her lived experience into a commitment to ensuring bereaved children are seen, heard and given a voice. Through her research and the creation of Tony’s Place, Shelley reveals how meaningful care begins with listening—and how knowing we matter can help all of us come home to ourselves.