In 2007, journalist Steve Braunias embarked on a series of 27 interviews, one a week, profiling New Zealanders famous and infamous, both publicity-seekers and those rather keener to hide from the spotlight. All 27 interviews, many of which stirred controversy, hilarity, and even animosity, appear in Roosters I Have Known.
'The work was claustrophobic, ' Braunias writes, 'week after week of the same rigid discipline. First, catch your rooster. Then, sometimes, roast them alive. Now and again I suppose I was ruthless.'
His startling survey of the national psyche, published in the
Sunday Star-Times, ranged from the all-out brainy (neuroscientist Richard Faull) to the disturbingly naïve (rape survivor Louise Nicholas), from the vainglorious (
Shortland Street actor Adam Rickitt) to the gloriously vain (TV1
Breakfast host Paul Henry), from the food writer in her home (
Cuisine's Julie Dalzell) to the war correspondent in someone else's (Fox Television's Anita McNaught 'embedded' in Iraq).
And as election year was approaching, Braunias also took us to our leaders - Labour's Helen Clark, National's John Key, the Maori Party's Pita Sharples - and to some very weird mayoral wannabes. You may never vote again.
Known for his cutting wit, Braunias surprised readers last year with his book
How to Watch a Bird. An account of his experiences on the path to becoming a bird-watcher and a father, the book was described by reviewers as surprisingly tender. It hit the best-seller list.
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