He'll Be Right

In this six-part podcast, former professional rugby player John Daniell and journalist Glenn McConnell travel New Zealand trying to find the rulebook for how to be a man in 2021. Their journey sees them meeting all sorts: an All Black, experts in tikanga, fathers of more than one gender – and the men fighting to curb the country's mental health and domestic violence epidemics.

In this six-part podcast, former professional rugby player John Daniell and journalist Glenn McConnell travel New Zealand trying to find the rulebook for how to be a man in 2021. Their journey sees them meeting all sorts: an All Black, experts in tikanga, fathers of more than one gender – and the men fighting to curb the country's mental health and domestic violence epidemics.

All Black prop Karl Tu'inukuafe weighs in at over 130kg – and he feels the expectations that come with his size. Model Rob Tennent is a lot smaller, and says women's clothes fit him better than men's. But both make a living by looking after and using their bodies. So, in 2021, is there a perfect men's style or body? He'll Be Right presenters John Daniell and Glenn McConnell investigate.

All Black prop Karl Tu'inukuafe weighs in at over 130kg – and he feels the expectations that come with his size. Model Rob Tennent is a lot smaller, and says women's clothes fit him better than men's. But both make a living by looking after and using their bodies. So, in 2021, is there a perfect men's style or body? He'll Be Right presenters John Daniell and Glenn McConnell investigate.

When the word most associated with 'masculinity' is 'toxic', it's clear we have some problems. Domestic abuse has been called New Zealand's shame, and the Me Too movement has highlighted how powerful men have used their power to abuse women. In this episode, John and Glenn meet a man who has gone from abusing to helping to reform other abusive men. They also speak to Stuff's Me Too editor Alison Mau. This show contains explicit refrences to domesic abuse.

When the word most associated with 'masculinity' is 'toxic', it's clear we have some problems. Domestic abuse has been called New Zealand's shame, and the Me Too movement has highlighted how powerful men have used their power to abuse women. In this episode, John and Glenn meet a man who has gone from abusing to helping to reform other abusive men. They also speak to Stuff's Me Too editor Alison Mau. This show contains explicit refrences to domesic abuse.

John and Glenn look at the science of gender, asking Otago Uni's Dr Erik Wibowo about the biological background to our ideas of masculinity and femininity. And while they're in Dunedin, they also catch up with Scout Barbour Evans, a parent who identifies as neither male or female, and who is a vocal advocate for trans rights in New Zealand.

John and Glenn look at the science of gender, asking Otago Uni's Dr Erik Wibowo about the biological background to our ideas of masculinity and femininity. And while they're in Dunedin, they also catch up with Scout Barbour Evans, a parent who identifies as neither male or female, and who is a vocal advocate for trans rights in New Zealand.

New Zealand's suicide rates paint a stark picture of men's mental health. Last year, 654 people died by suicide – 471 of those were men. Suicide is an issue which affects everyone – and it has hit close to home for John, and the schoolboy rugby team he coaches. We also meet Ezekiel Raui, who put together a mental health program as a teenager after a spate of suicides in 2012.

New Zealand's suicide rates paint a stark picture of men's mental health. Last year, 654 people died by suicide – 471 of those were men. Suicide is an issue which affects everyone – and it has hit close to home for John, and the schoolboy rugby team he coaches. We also meet Ezekiel Raui, who put together a mental health program as a teenager after a spate of suicides in 2012.

Pou Temara grew up, literally, in the bush. He was sent to live with his grandparents in Te Urewera, to learn from them. He's now a professor of tikanga. Glenn meets him to learn about Māori masculinity, and shares notes on his own childhood, growing up as an urban Māori. He also talks to musician Troy Kingi about fatherhood, music and his culture.

Pou Temara grew up, literally, in the bush. He was sent to live with his grandparents in Te Urewera, to learn from them. He's now a professor of tikanga. Glenn meets him to learn about Māori masculinity, and shares notes on his own childhood, growing up as an urban Māori. He also talks to musician Troy Kingi about fatherhood, music and his culture.

We've made it to the end, so the last question is: Are you a modern man? Do we fit the bill? John visits Glenn in Auckland to learn more about his misspent youth. The pair also meet Sean Mallon, an anthropologist at Te Papa, who says modern masculinity is still full of ritual and tradition.

We've made it to the end, so the last question is: Are you a modern man? Do we fit the bill? John visits Glenn in Auckland to learn more about his misspent youth. The pair also meet Sean Mallon, an anthropologist at Te Papa, who says modern masculinity is still full of ritual and tradition.