Introducing our 2025 ambassadors!
Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival has today announced the five new ambassadors for the 2025 festival! The talented group include Journalist Jessica Tyson, Red, White & Brass star JP Foliaki, The Hits host and former Breakfast presenter Matty Mclean, and comedians Janaye Henry, and Kura Turuwhenua.
Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival celebrates the city of Tāmaki Makaurau through a series of curious, energetic, world-leading and groundbreaking arts experiences across March. The eighteen day festival, running from Thursday 6 - Sunday 23 March 2025, invites audiences from across the motu to fall in love with Tāmaki Makaurau through the arts. Find the full programme at AAF.co.nz.
Jess Tyson became a household name after winning Miss World New Zealand in 2018 after representing Aotearoa at multiple international beauty competitions. She went on to found her charity Brave which works to educate and support young people affected by sexual harm - a cause close to her heart after experiencing abuse as a child. A passionate storyteller, Jess currently works as a journalist for award winning current affairs show Te Ao with Moana where she embraces her journey of learning te reo Māori while raising awareness of important issues. Jess was born in Whanganui but has lived in Tāmaki Makaurau for the past 12 years. Her favourite part about being in Auckland is the opportunities and exciting events to attend, especially performing arts and fashion events - basically, any events she can go along with friends to and get dressed up for!
John-Paul "JP" Foliaki is a New Zealand-born Tongan actor, musician, and reality TV star from South Auckland. His acting career took off with the lead role of Maka in the 2023 feature film Red, White & Brass, a comedy celebrating Tongan culture. He also played Mose in the hit CoconetTV film Inky Pinky Ponky. Foliaki appeared in the television series Far North, acting alongside acclaimed actors Temuera Morrison and Robyn Malcolm. Beyond acting, Foliaki is a versatile artist engaged in music and other art forms. He was one of the final 12 contestants on TVNZ’s reality talent show Popstars, has self-funded R&B and Pop music which is influenced by his island roots, and even opened for international artist Sean Kingston. In 2024, Foliaki competed on the reality series Celebrity Treasure Island and emerged victorious after 18 grueling days. He won the final challenge—a record-breaking three-hour test against former All Black Christian Cullen and actor James Rolleston—and secured the $100,000 prize for ChildFund, supporting fresh water access in Pacific communities. His time on the show highlighted his resilience and strategic acumen, qualities that inspired both his family and the broader Tongan community. Foliaki’s commitment to empowering his community is evident in his frequent school visits, where he encourages pride in Tongan heritage and shares his creative journey. His victory on Celebrity Treasure Island and his artistic achievements continue to inspire others, demonstrating the power of authenticity, dedication, and cultural pride.
Matty McLean first appeared on TVNZ’s Breakfast show as an eager 21 year old. It was there he quickly became a firm viewer favourite, with audiences falling in love with his heart and his humour, as well as his willingness to do whatever Paul Henry told him to do. He became a reporter for One News - his time at our national broadcaster taking him from the Chatham Islands to Malaysia, and has seen him reporting on some of the biggest national stories of our generation. Following a stint in London working at international organisation Al Jazeera, he returned home after TVNZ came calling, offering him the role of Breakfast weather presenter - bringing his TVNZ career full circle. Despite the daily 3.45am alarm, Matty was so excited to share his mornings with the Kiwi public. After a fantastic 7 year stint at Breakfast, Matty has taken his charisma to a new platform - radio! Kicking off in 2024, Matty is now co-host of The Hits Drive with PJ Harding. Both on air and online, Matty is bringing smiles to all who interact with him. Matty lives in Auckland with his partner Ryan and their dog Otis. He’s a fiercely competitive board gamer, keen runner, a loyal Hufflepuff, and will never stop watching re-runs of Friends. Matty is known for his relatability, his wit, and his charm.
Janaye Henry (Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa) is a comedian, writer and actress from Auckland. Most might recognise her from the latest season of Celebrity Treasure Island where she competed to raise money for her chosen charity, The Aunties, an organisation that provides material and emotional support for people who are healing from abusive relationships. Janaye also has a rich improv background beginning in Wellington and then eventually becoming a regular to Auckland stages. She self-defines as a clown by nature but a comedian by nurture. She has completed three theatre in education tours in schools and is obsessed with using humour to talk about all kinds of kaupapa. She has written for The Spinoff, Only in Aotearoa and Ahikāroa. She was a nominee for the coveted Billy T Award at the 2023 NZ International Comedy Festival. Janaye has worked in multiple local and international productions including: Time Bandits alongside Taika Waititi for Apple+, Far North starring Temuera Morrison and Robyn Malcolm, and My Favourite Dead Person. Despite being nominated for a Billy T Award, appearing regularly on comedy panel shows, and scoring roles in series like Far North and Time Bandits, Janaye still feels equally giddy and in disbelief for every new opportunity that comes her way. Her highlights include curating the first wāhine Māori line up comedy show and co-writing, co-directing and acting in the 2023 Basement Christmas Show, The Jingle Bellethon Telethon.
Kura Turuwhenua (Ngāti Porou, Kāi Tahu, Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa, Moriori) has been performing and writing comedy ever since she used Facebook to sign up to a random open mic gig at 19 years old. In the past 5 years she’s sold out shows, won Best Newcomer - NZ International Comedy Festival 2023, written internationally viral sketches - Only in Aotearoa, was awarded Toi Whakaari Best Actor at the Show Me Shorts Film Festival 2024 for her performance in Honey Kaha, and has built a dedicated online following of 40K+ after going viral multiple times (29.4M+ views). Her mates say this means she’s “online famous”. Currently, she is co-creating her podcast, Kaputī with the Cousins (with her cousin), working as a writer, content creator and performer, and studying animation so that - in her words - “I won’t have to twiddle my thumbs waiting for other people to make the stuff I want… respectfully”. Most importantly, she’s remained humble the whole time.
The festival team are stoked to have these six influential Kiwi on on-board as ambassadors and looks forward to seeing them share their love of the arts.
