HOST
Leah Panapa

The gorgeous and multi-talented Leah Panapa is a woman of many skills. Her infectious personality and sultry tone have seen her rise the ranks throughout her three decades in broadcasting – holding many impressive posts during this time.

Leah’s exceptional broadcasting ability led her to win a whopping 10 radio awards for Best Breakfast Show. For over 10 years she was a cornerstone of The Morning Rumble breakfast show on The Rock. From there she moved to The Sound, hosting the nationwide breakfast show for over three years with Mark Richardson. Leah moved to the rarefied air that is ‘talk radio’ in 2019, initially solo host of her own show Magic Nights, then moved to the coveted afternoon slot with co-host Danny Watson.

In March 2022 newly branded talk radio station Today FM was launched by Mediaworks and Leah was reunited with her friend and former The Sound co-host Mark Richardson in the afternoon show 12pm – 4pm weekdays, to unpack the important topics and laugh about the absurd.

As comfortable behind the microphone as on stage, Leah is an excellent MC and host. Leah is renowned for her fantastic sense of humour, warm nature and ability to woo any crowd. She has a real affinity with engaging the audience, encompassing the perfect balance between professionalism and downright hilarity. She has a knack for reading a room – and her years of live radio experience have enabled her to effortlessly think and react on the fly.

Leah has hosted a wide array of events over the years; from hospitality and charity bashes, to the NZ Law Awards and most recently the 2022 ACT Party Conference. She has also held her own in debates against the likes of comedians Jeremy Corbett and Gary McCormick, and tackled live stand-up performances on Comedy Central TV & TV3 to rave reviews.

ENTERTAINMENT
Jarni Blair

Meet Jarni Blair, a highly skilled and passionate guitarist from New Zealand with over 18 years of experience in the music industry. Jarni’s love for music was inspired by his father, who has played in bands since the late 60s. At the young age of ten, Jarni began performing and continued playing in various bands throughout his school years. He transitioned to solo performance and song writing in his final year of high school, which he pursued for quite some time before returning to collaborate with other bands and artists. Jarni’s music is a fusion of pop singer-songwriter, jazz, and blues, which he describes as “Geek Pop.” He is heavily influenced by legends such as The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Clapton. He also puts his own spin on cover songs, keeping the essence of the originals while adding his own unique flavours. Jarni’s successful career includes playing and writing music alongside big names such as Kings, Jason Kerrison, The Jordan Luck Band, and his single ‘Higher Than The Sky’ was on the NZ Music charts for a couple of weeks in 2020. Currently, he plays with one of NZ’s household names, ‘Summer Thieves’, who have amassed a significant following over the past decade. They are currently touring and playing with L.A.B. on their Australian Tour. With plenty of opportunities on the horizon, Jarni’s future in music looks promising. He continues to showcase his talent and passion for music, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who has the pleasure of experiencing his performances.