Dame Kiri Te Kanawa has had an eventful life. 

One of New Zealand’s most prolific performers, the opera singer has performed in countries all over the world in several different languages, receiving a slew of honours over the years. 

She retired in September 2017, her last performance taking place in October of 2016. 

Since then, Te Kanawa committed herself to nurturing young artists, sitting as a judge in singing competitions and establishing the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation which supports young musicians and singers in realising their dreams. 

Te Kanawa recently moved back to New Zealand after living in the United Kingdom for over 55 years, and her connection to both countries saw her sent as one of NZ’s official delegates for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. 

Her 80th birthday is coming up this week, Te Kanawa telling Newstalk ZB’s Jack Tame that she can’t believe she got to this age. 

“I thought 70 was bad enough, now we’re at 80.” 

The celebrations might not be exactly what you’d expect for such a milestone, Te Kanawa revealing that she and her husband are going fishing. 

They plan to just get enough for the table, as being out on the water is what Te Kanawa really enjoys. 

“I’m, you know, a Pisces, my husband’s an Aquarius, so we’re water people.” 

Te Kanawa moved back to New Zealand in 2021, settling down in the Bay of Islands.  

While she does feel that it was the right choice, she does still feel homesick for England after having lived there for such a long time. 

“We did it and we’re pleased we’ve done it, but I’ve left an awful lot of my heart behind.” 

“But home is here, and I am thoroughly enjoying all the different things about New Zealand which I never knew about.” 

One such thing is kiwis' refusal to give way to others in traffic, a contrast to the politeness she’s used to in England. 

“There’s a whole lot of little things that people don’t do or do do that are nice.” 

Despite having such a long career, Te Kanawa revealed that she doesn’t look back on it all that much, the rapid pace of her life and career overwhelming. 

“It took me several years to calm down and about a year to sort of say that I’m not going to sing again.” 

“It’s best not to look back, it’s always best to look forward.” 

Since retiring from performing, Te Kanawa has instead put her efforts into supporting the next generation of artists with the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation. 

“We’ve had a lot of great successes,” Te Kanawa told Tame. 

Some of the people the Foundation has supported have gone on to get major roles at Covent Garden, some singing in Glen Bourne and Salzburg. 

“I’m so pleased that we’ve, we’ve helped them a lot, and it’s a lovely little group now that we’ve been sort of really mentoring.” 

Mentoring is what she’ll continue to do, Te Kanawa having no plans to perform in public again. 

“The past is in the past,” she said. 

Te Kanawa told Tame that while her voice was very beautiful in the past, she hasn't trained it in years. 

She said that even if she tried to start training it again, it would take months to get it anywhere near what she would like it to be. 

“It’s just best to leave it, go to sleep, and let’s enjoy the youth of today.” 

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