Thalia Kehoe Rowden

Guest writer

Thalia Kehoe Rowden is a former Baptist minister and current mother and development worker. She writes about parenting, social justice and spirituality at Sacraparental.com. Thalia was born in Palmerston North in 1977.

Hazel and Pluto the dog, plus some recent local kids shows (Photo: Supplied, additional design by Archi Banal)

A seven year old (and her parent) review four new local shows for kids and tweens

Junior binge-watcher Hazel gives her verdict on some of Aotearoa's newest shows for kids.

By Thalia Kehoe Rowden | 17th March, 2022

Illustration: Getty Images

Tear it down and start again? Fixing our antiquated education system

Our current school system isn’t just underfunded, it’s outdated, by about a century.

By Thalia Kehoe Rowden | 20th July, 2021

A two-year-old Honduran asylum seeker cries as her mother is searched near the U.S.-Mexico border on June 12, 2018 in McAllen, Texas. The asylum seekers had rafted across the Rio Grande from Mexico and were detained by U.S. Border Patrol agents. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

What a horrified New Zealander can do about kids in cages

Practical steps to take right now if you’re appalled at the news coming out of the United States.

By Thalia Kehoe Rowden | 16th July, 2019

Hehei’s new TV show, Kiri and Lou.

Immerse yourself in kindness with new Kiwi kids show Kiri and Lou

The world needs more kindness, clearly. Thalia Kehoe Rowden reviews Kiri and Lou, a new musical comedy show about kindness and feelings, made for children, but a tonic for adults, too.

By Thalia Kehoe Rowden | 25th March, 2019

Nida and her mother

Nida’s story: Escaping from the Nauru detention camp and making a home in NZ

As a toddler, Nida Fiazi escaped Afghanistan with her mother in a quest for survival. Instead they ended up in a detention camp in Nauru. Thalia Kehoe Rowden tells their story.

By Thalia Kehoe Rowden | 17th August, 2018

THIRTEEN AFGHAN WOMEN WHO CAME TO PALMERSTON NORTH AS REFUGEES HAVE FORMED CATERING BUSINESS LA LA ZAR (PHOTO: RED CROSS/TASTE OF CULTURES)

How refugees are enriching Aotearoa’s food landscape

Whether making Somali sauces or Nepali dumplings, former refugees are providing income for their families and delicious food for the rest of us.

By Thalia Kehoe Rowden | 14th August, 2018

What’s on HEIHEI for older kids?

What’s on HEIHEI for older kids?

New kids’ media platform HEIHEI has some great stuff (and also some missable overseas imports). Thalia Kehoe Rowden, with the help of her six-year-old son, gives us the lowdown.

By Thalia Kehoe Rowden | 13th August, 2018

Photo of the two boys holding hands with an older brother. Supplied by Alison Battisson, their lawyer.

Family separation is happening closer to home than you think

We were all horrified to see children ripped from their parents’ arms at the US-Mexico border last month. Sadly, this kind of thing happens in Australia too.

By Thalia Kehoe Rowden | 16th July, 2018

An Amnesty International demonstration outside the Beehive, 2015

It’s time for Aotearoa to step up and welcome home more refugees

Now is the time to figure out if we want to be the good guys or the bad guys, here in Aotearoa.

By Thalia Kehoe Rowden | 7th July, 2018

Is there anything good on HEIHEI for pre-schoolers?

Is there anything good on HEIHEI for pre-schoolers?

HEIHEI says its programming is targeted at five to nine year olds, but Thalia Kehoe Rowden finds plenty that’s great for pre-schoolers. Here are the best shows for littlies – and a few to avoid.

By Thalia Kehoe Rowden | 5th July, 2018