Nathan Rarere, right, interviews weightlifter David Liti at the Olympics in Paris. Photo: RNZ / Barry Guy
It's been tiring but inspirational to be working in Paris during the Olympic Games, Nathan Rarere (Rongomaiwahine) says.
First Up, the RNZ programme he hosts on week days, has been broadcasting from New Zealand House, taking over a corner of the restaurant of the Paris Marriott Champs Elysees.
"This has been the place where medallists have come back to have a powhiri and a welcome."
New Zealand House is in the Paris Marriott Champs Elysees. Photo: Nathan Rarere/RNZ
After a quick breakfast each day with the other RNZ journalists, Barry Guy, Dana Johannsen and Felicity Reid, then "it's boom they're off. They are just going for it all the time," Rarere said of keeping up with the Games whirlwind schedule.
"We've put in some miles, heaps of miles, it has been go go go every minute you're awake but I have loved it.
"And I know for First Up, my crew back at home they've shifted their lives around to be able to help to get this going cos we're in this weird time zone … we're all going to sleep really well at the end of this but it's like the duck on the water, the little legs splashing away underneath trying to do it."
While it was a busy timetable, Rarere has had some unforgettable experiences most sports fans can only dream of.
As "a swimming kid" a huge thrill was watching US multi-gold medal winner Katie Ledecky because "she's got the perfect stroke" in the La Defense Arena pool where the atmosphere threatened to lift the roof.
"I did a little laugh to myself cos I couldn't believe I was there."
The noise and passion on show at the Stade de France also made for a spine-tingling experience, especially when the French were cheering their own athletes, such as for their men's gold medal winning rugby sevens team.
"[The French] as a crowd are amazing and I now think: wouldn't it be cool to save up and come up for one of those end-of-year All Blacks tours, just for the game a bit, but more for the fans. It has been awesome."
Going along to new Olympic sports such as sport climbing and the kayak cross also got his tick of approval.
Nathan Rarere interviews Luuka Jones who was one of two Kiwis in the kayak cross. Photo: RNZ / Barry Guy
While there were other 'pinch me' moments such as a press conference featuring USA basketball superstars Kevin Durant and Steph Curry there were times it all threatened to unravel.
One day his credit card wouldn't work for a taxi driver and when she delivered him to a bank machine it swallowed his card, wrecking his plans to get to venues for interviews for a rapidly looming First Up edition.
"I was in such a big panic … That was the bit where I just wanted a big helicopter to fly in and pluck me out and fly me home but then, as radio works, it ended up being good content so there you go," he said dissolving into laughter.
A press conference featuring Steph Curry, left, and Kevin Durant. Photo: RNZ / Barry Guy
Back at NZ House he not only sat across the table or took calls from around 30 Kiwi athletes he has witnessed some of the moving powhiri, haka and waiata led by artist, carver and kapa haka performer Tā Derek Lardelli for the New Zealand team.
"The songs have been beautiful and it's really cool when you get people here from other countries and they say 'what is that?' because obviously te reo is so unique and the harmonies … The amount of camera phones that come out when the Olympic haka breaks out is fantastic.
"A moment like that as well makes you quite proud that we've got something that's so unique and also that other people enjoyed."
The women's rugby sevens team at NZ House after winning gold. Photo: Felicity Reid/RNZ
Out on the streets of Paris there has been the contrast of heavy security and machine guns near all the prominent buildings and monuments, capped off with the Olympic torch / balloon floating skywards at dusk.
He was impressed that it aligns with the likes of the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe.
"There's been a beautiful artistic and architectural eye that has sorted out that thing."
As for his home away from home, New Zealand House, he has seen many people depart with smiles on their faces after enjoying some Kiwi hospitality.
"Everyone can be pretty proud back home of the effort they've put in here," he said.
