Jehan Casinader is one of New Zealand's leading journalists.

He was named Broadcast Reporter of the Year at the Voyager Media Awards in 2020, and Reporter of the Year at the New Zealand Television Awards in 2018.

From a young age, Jehan was determined to build a career in the media. He filed his first story for TVNZ's Holmes programme at just 13 years old.

During his teens, he contributed to newspapers and magazines. By 20, he was travelling overseas, reporting from red carpets, disaster zones - and everywhere in between.

Jehan has worked in the fast-paced world of primetime TV for a decade, including long stints on Sunday, Seven Sharp and Close Up.

Specialising in social issues reporting, he has covered tough stories, like the Christchurch terror attack, the under-reporting of sexual trauma in men, New Zealand's plastic crisis, the ethics of killing zoo animals, and the rise of medicinal cannabis.

Jehan has interviewed people from all walks of life, including murderers, athletes, cult leaders, celebrities and Prime Ministers - giving him a unique perspective on the qualities of the human spirit.

He also created and hosted TVNZ's first-ever mental health series, The Inside Word.

Verb Festival 2020 appearances:
8.30pm, Nov 7: This is not how it ends (LitCrawl)