In this bonus episode of The Third Space, we sit down with Kai, a newly elected member of the Howick Local Board, to talk about his journey into local politics. Recorded while he was still on the campaign trail, we explore what drives him — from growing up between New Zealand and China to studying in the U.S. and finding his place in community service.
We talk about identity, belonging, and breaking the “bamboo ceiling,” as well as what authentic representation really means in Aotearoa New Zealand. It’s an open, honest conversation about stepping up, staying grounded, and why diverse voices matter in shaping our shared future.
In this episode of The Third Space, we sit down with Venice — a musician whose new album Moon Landing marks a major moment in her creative journey. We talk about individuality, belonging, and how she weaves together Western and Eastern influences to tell her story through music.
Venice opens up about the inspiration behind her songs, including her powerful track Home Country, and shares her experiences confronting anti-Asian racism. We explore what authenticity means to her as an artist, how she’s grown creatively, and her hopes for stronger Asian representation in the music industry.
It’s a conversation about community, courage, and staying true to yourself — and a reminder of the power we have when we uplift each other to create a more diverse and inclusive arts landscape in Aotearoa.
In this episode of The Third Space, we sit down with Bobby Shen — architect and former Mt Roskill local board member — to talk about what it means to serve the community while navigating life as a Kiwi Asian. From speaking Cantonese on the playground to shaping Auckland’s urban landscape, Bobby shares how learning te reo Māori and embracing tikanga have deepened his understanding of identity and belonging.
We talk about the surprising connections between Māori values like mana and whanaungatanga and Chinese cultural roots, and how those shared principles can guide the way we lead and live. It’s a conversation about building bridges, leading with authenticity, and finding a place where our cultures meet in Aotearoa.
Welcome to the very first episode! This week we welcome Andrew Mei to the couch— now a Red Influencer with over 50K followers — shares his journey of navigating identity, ambition, and family expectations as an Asian New Zealander. He reflects on how diversity shaped his career in law, strategy consulting and corporate. A conversation about walking into the unknown, how to survive corporate and finding your own light in the tunnel.
We present to you: The 3rd Space with Naisi Chen.
This is a podcast made by Kiwi Asians, for all people creating their 3rd culture to support our personal and professional journeys in Aotearoa.
It’s for anyone learning to embrace both sides of their cultural identity, wanting to connect with community, and seeking to feel empowered to influence the world around them.
Every week, we talk with inspiring guests who’ve been there, doing that: sharing honest career stories, workplace reflections, and experiences from across our communities and society.
A special thanks to Kaishandao-Kristen Ng for the music, and Sam Collins for the guidance.