At just 35, Olivia Tennet is already a veteran on our screens. As a child she appeared on Xena: Warrior Princess, in her twenties on Shortland Street and Power Rangers, and now Tennet is the voice of feisty little dinosaur Kiri in the movie adaptation of award-winning children's series Kiri and Lou. Today, we subject Tennet to questions ranging from serious to trivial in our weekly 1News Grill.
Which book (or books) did you love as a child?
Anything and everything by Margaret Mahy. I remember being particularly enamoured by the Witch in the Cherry Tree. I also loved all the Milly, Molly, Mandy books and forced my mum to make me baked potatoes for dinner for about two weeks as ‘lid-potatoes’ were Milly’s favourite food. At intermediate, it was all about Jacqueline Wilson books.
Who is the most underrated person in New Zealand?
The Front Lawn (Harry Sinclair and Don McGlashan – that’s two, I know). What they were doing in the 1980s with their art was so ahead of its time, and they really were (and still are) in a league of their own. No wonder the music in Kiri and Lou (created by Sinclair and McGlashan) is incredible. Working with them is an absolute joy and a privilege.
What will be the biggest issue on your mind when you vote this November?
I vote in the interests of the most vulnerable person in my community and people are really struggling right now. There’s been a literal shift in energy in my neighbourhood in Glen Eden and it really feels like most people are just in survival mode. Everyone deserves to live a life of dignity, safety and freedom and when people feel like they have agency in their own life, we all win. There’s so many ‘big’ issues to be honest, but for me, I’ll be looking at policies around housing, healthcare, the cost of living crisis and Palestine. But a party that actually has an inspiring, well-thought-out, arts policy wouldn’t hurt either.
What's your worst character trait?
I’m a planner and I find it incredibly hard to do something last minute or spontaneous, and I sometimes wonder what fun, interesting things I miss out on.
What's an enduring memory of being on Xena: Warrior Princess as an eight year old?
It was a dream job for an eight year old because I played a runaway princess. I remember the costume fittings being particularly exciting (I had MULTIPLE dresses!) and I still have these amazing, baby pink, satin slippers that I wore for part of the episode. It was also my first time doing an American accent and it was probably atrocious.
Who do you envy?
Anyone with a regular work schedule. Both my partner and work in the arts so no day, week or month is the same for us which makes juggling family life and creating a predictable routine for our son an everyday challenge.
What's one vice you'd like to quit or reduce?
Sugar. Don’t ask.
By nature, are you more of a Kiri or a Lou?
Oohhh I’m a mixture of both, but I think as I get older I’m probably becoming more of a Lou! I’m quite an anxious person who gets in their head a lot and as per question three, I sometimes struggle to say yes to new experiences in the moment. In saying that, my parents said they can definitely see a ‘little Liv” in Kiri’s temperament and personality so I must bring a bit of myself to the role. I think that’s one of the reasons I love playing Kiri so much - she has traits that I wish I possessed more of and she always reminds of what I can do better in my own life.
Which role are you most recognised for when out in public?
Right now, it’s actually from a few commercials that all happened to be released at the same time. But Tuesday Warner (Shortland Street) will never leave me I don’t think. However, it’s been so long since she was on the show (18 years!) I now just get “I recognise you from somewhere…” and my answer is something along the lines of “Huh. Yeah I guess Auckland is pretty small!”
Which three adjectives best describe you as a teenager?
Goody-two-shoes.
Would you rather be cast as the singing, dancing lead in a Broadway show, or as the brooding lead actress in an internationally renowned (but box office flopping) indie movie?
I’m going to go with Broadway show because I’d love to do a big-budget musical once in my life. Dance is my first love, and I don’t get to do it a lot in my career, so I know I would just relish that opportunity. But it’d have to be an old-school musical like Singing in the Rain, Guys and Dolls, A Star is Born or something. I’m not a huge fan of the modern musicals.
Which five adjectives best describe the creative life?
Unpredictable, fulfilling, fickle, terrifying, profound.
Kiri and Lou go Raaa, suitable for ages 3 to 7, is currently screening at select cinemas around Aotearoa for a limited time. See flicks.co.nz for screenings. Or watch the TV show on TVNZ+.
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