The first time mainstage theatre director and actor shares their thoughts about the state of it all.

It’s a big month for Nī Dekkers-Reihana. Not only are they directing an indigenous Aotearoa version of Nick Payne’s award-winning play Constellations, but they’re also set to make their television debut as the lead of Head Girl, a screen adaptation of Freya Daly Sadgrove’s acclaimed poetry collection.

Here, they share some whakaaro about the unnecessary use of AI and smoking actually being cool (sort of).

What bothers you most about the world right now?

There’s a lot of horrific, violent injustice occurring in the world right now but “bothers” is not the word I’d use to describe how those affairs make me feel. Perhaps closer to bothersome for me – though I can think of a few expletives quite apt for this too – is unnecessary use of AI. There is huge benefit using AI medical technologies and other incredible inventions that help people in need. But if you’re using ChatGPT to do basic tasks for you, I am bothered by you, let alone the use of AI by the government to determine who has the right to social welfare.

What sort of people do you avoid?

Bigots and people who are rude to customer service reps (unless that rep is a bigot).

What makes you want to get up in the morning?

My dog, Te Ramaroa (Rama). Her name means beacon of light and she absolutely lives up to it. She’s only been in my life for a few months, but she is my whole world and I am grateful for her everyday.

How do you hold onto hope in these crazy times?

I don’t always – it’s hard to. The atrocities occurring both globally and locally are truly heartbreaking and it can be hard not to fall in to a place of apathy. But also, fuck that. There are people a lot worse off than me still holding onto hope and fighting the fight, so I have to keep going too. And I don’t think I have a fluffy answer for how to do it. I  just try to put on my own mask first: Get protein, drink water, keep as balanced as I can so I can still be a number in the march and a vote to change the government.

What is the single best quality a human can have?

The ability to infiltrate hierarchical structures with good jokes. Aka “The Fool”.

What’s over-rated?

Celebrities.

What’s under-rated?

Te tiriti.

If you could have a do-over, what would you change?

I’d keep learning te reo. I started kura at Raglan Area School, which was bilingual. But we moved away before it could get deeper and my schooling was never so rich again, so my reo mostly fell away. I’m grateful to be deepening my relationship with reo now but it’s so much harder than it could have been.

What brings you joy?

My dog. When reo rolls off my tongue. Laksa. Making art (most of the time).

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

Listen.

What advice do you wish you’d never followed?

Don’t cry.

Tell us about a controversial opinion you hold.

Smoking is cool. I also think it’s undeniably stupid and no one should do it because it kills you and like just out of principle, big tobacco is so evil. But I just think it looks cool, even if it fucking stinks. Also vaping is stupid too, and it is not cool and arguably more evil.

When you’re feeling low, what helps?

Crying and laughter. Both are ideal, in no particular order. Both at the same time is elite.

In what ways is public-facing Nī different to private Nī?

Not to be all astrology about it, but frankly my chart says it all: I’m a Gemini sun and rising, and I’m a Taurus moon. So my private is life home alone with my dog chilling, quiet, and usually crocheting. Public life is loud laughing, screaming at my friends being brilliant and general hectic energy – unless I’m a particular style of anxious, then private Nī spills into public.

Give us some life advice.

Go to live art experiences. Theatre. Music. Exhibition. Comedy. It might be bad, but it might just be fucking brilliant and if it is, it will change your neural pathways for real. Get off the internet, experience something real, be in the community, feeling.