In this episode of The 3rd Space with Naisi Chen, we sit down with Simon Bridges, former leader of New Zealand’s National Party and author of National Identity: Confessions of an Outsider. This conversation goes beyond politics to interrogate what it means to belong in Aotearoa, personally and culturally. Bridges uses his own story to challenge stereotypes, navigate the complexities of whakapapa and identity, and reflect on how national character is shaped by class, culture, language, and lived experience. From confronting perceptions of Māoriness to unpacking what it feels like to be seen as both insider and outsider, this episode explores identity as a layered landscape rather than a fixed label, a real-world “third space” where culture, history and self intersect.

Episode Credits

Host: Naisi Chen

Producer / Editing: Xian Zhang

Music: Kaishandao