ROBYN MALCOLM REBEL WITH A CAUSE

The Pike River star is furious at the patriarchy, grateful for HRT and proud of every line on her face - the beloved Kiwi actor tells it like it is.

- SOPHIE NEVILLE

If ever there was such a thing as a beautiful irony, Kiwi screen legend Robyn Malcolm is living it.

After years railing against sexism and ageism that have long underpinned the acting industry, she finds herself at 60 busier than ever and landing the kind of rich, complex, unapologetically female roles she once feared might never be written.

For a woman who's spent her career fighting for better stories and stronger voices, it feels like long-overdue validation. Robyn agrees she hasn't felt this good in years - but right now, she just needs a strong coffee and a pastry treat.

“Jetlag!” she exclaims, catching up with The Weekly at a café near her Grey Lynn, Auckland, home. She's just flown back from the UK, where she's been working on new projects and spending time with her Scottish partner Peter Mullan, who also happens to be an award-winning actor and director.

Though she's thrilled to be home and back in the same country as her sons Charlie, 21, and Pete, 19, not to mention her adored dogs Tara and Scooby, she admits she's still catching her breath. This year has been a constantly moving feast of travel, work, accolades and opportunities.

“I was thinking this morning about how I hate routine and realised it's because I'm just not used to it,” she reflects. “For 30 years, my life has been this perennial pivot. You think you're going in that direction, then you end up over there. Most people would panic, but I love it. I like not knowing what's next.”

And despite the jetlag, Robyn is her usual self - a delightful tornado of energy and ideas as she chats over her oat latte. After long stints away, she's back in Aotearoa for the release of