Janssen told Cowan his own humble background has given him an appreciation for the less flashy parts of Aotearoa. “My parents were Dutch and my mother and three brothers came, and it was a really big thing for them. They said they were really good to us when we came here, and that Huntly was good to my parents and they were very loyal to it. And there was always an ice cream!”Now well into his 70s, Janssen reckons he’s seen most of the country. Real Life is a weekly interview show where John Cowan speaks with prominent guests about their life, upbringing, and the way they see the world.

Source: New Zealand Herald December 24, 2025 18:41 UTC