Podcasts about Aotearoa

Emily and I first met over email and via one of my Phone A Friend chats back in late 2023. Like me, she loves regional Aotearoa and everything it has to offer. She's happily ensconced in the Taumarunui community, and she has exactly the right attitude to thrive in a small town. She gets stuck in, makes things happen, and helps out whenever needed. She owns a tiny house on rented land and works a variety of jobs. From a young age, Emily decided that financial independence was essential to her. Since the age of 19, she has stood on her own two feet financially, and she told me that doing so is essential to her well-being. She has never been a high earner, but she has paid her own way regardless. More recently, she has invested time in her financial education, and that has led to her investing her money too. She's focused on living a vibrant life today, while also planning for a secure future. By sharing her own journey today, she hopes to be the catalyst that inspires others to take control of their money and build a life they absolutely love, as she has.

WHO'S IN CHARGE? PART TWO. We asked Dr. Christa L. McKirland who is Dean of Faculty and Lecturer in Systematic Theology at Carey Baptist College. Her books include "A Theology of Authority: Rethinking Leadership in the Church" (2025) and "God's Provision, Humanity's Need: The Gift of our Dependence" (2022). Born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, she currently lives in Aotearoa, New Zealand with her husband, Matthew, and their two children.  The Tru316 Foundation (www.Tru316.com) is the home of The Eden Podcast with Bruce C. E. Fleming where we “true” the verse of Genesis 3:16. The Tru316 Message is that “God didn't curse Eve (or Adam) or limit woman in any way.” Once Genesis 3:16 is made clear the other passages on women and men become clear too. You are encouraged to access the episodes of Seasons 1-11 of The Eden Podcast for teaching on the seven key passages on women and men. Are you a reader? We invite you to get from Amazon the four books by Bruce C. E. Fleming in The Eden Book Series (Tru316.com/trubooks). Would you like to support the work of the Tru316 Foundation? You can become a Tru Partner here: www.Tru316.com/partner

The Underground Festival brings rural folk from across the motu together to learn about regenerative agriculture, and share kai from the land. Anisha Satya toured around the event. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.You can learn more about the Underground Festival, here.With thanks to:Fran BaileyGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Country Life visits the Duff family's permaculture farm in the Hawke's Bay, a farming festival in North Canterbury, chats to young Kiwi pilot Henry Phelps, who's fighting Australia's bushfires, and Gary Lancaster of the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:1:05 - Weird, wacky wild food8:51 - Conditions Wrap16:48 - Permaculture power in Poukawa30:45 - Young kiwi pilot helps map and fight Victoria's devastating bushfires37:47 - A walk through Aotearoa's farming festivalGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Waihi Beach is about to become Aotearoa's most accessible beach with a new purpose-built high-needs accessible changing facility.

Questions to Ministers NANCY LU to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on the economic impact of conflict in the Middle East? Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS to the Minister for Energy: What specific gas price sensitivity analysis did MBIE and Concept Consulting carry out for the LNG terminal decision, if any? KAHURANGI CARTER to the Minister for Children: Was she aware of the reported increase in kids in State care with complex needs and disabilities being housed in motels, sometimes with untrained staff, before the Aroturuki Tamariki Experiences of Care in Aotearoa 2024/25 report; if not, why not? REUBEN DAVIDSON to the Minister for Media and Communications: On what dates has he, or any person acting on his behalf, discussed TVNZ news coverage with any member of the TVNZ Board (including the Chair of TVNZ, Andrew Barclay) or the chief executive of TVNZ? JOSEPH MOONEY to the Minister for Tourism and Hospitality: What recent reports has she seen on tourism's contribution to the economy? SCOTT WILLIS to the Minister for Energy: Did he model how the exposure to global liquefied natural gas markets would affect electricity prices for households as part of his proposal to build a liquefied natural gas import facility; if so, what did the modelling show? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL to the Minister of Health: How many people have had a GP consult through the Government's 24/7 online GP service since it was launched in July 2025? RAWIRI WAITITI to the Minister of Defence: Will she rule out sending any military support to the USA and Israel for their military strikes on Iran, which have led to the reported deaths of 1,097 civilians, including 181 children under the age of 10; if not, why not? CAMERON LUXTON to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all of the Government's statements and actions? RIMA NAKHLE to the Minister of Defence: What recent announcements has she made about the New Zealand Defence Force providing assistance to New Zealanders in the Middle East? Hon KIERAN McANULTY to the Minister of Housing: Does he stand by his statement that "there are 7,000 more social houses in the country"; if so, how many of these additional houses were funded in Budgets 2024 and 2025? Dr HAMISH CAMPBELL to the Minister for ACC: What recent announcements has he made regarding the Accident Compensation Corporation?

Michael Gray joins the show live in the George FM studio for his first visit to Aotearoa. For exclusive content and the full show including music features, visit: https://www.rova.nz/podcasts/george-fm-breakfast Join the Whānau on Instagram, Facebook & Tik Tok.

Milly sat down for a kōrero with Robert from The Bats ahead of their Corner Coming Up Aotearoa tour - including their show this Saturday at The Hollywood Avondale as part of Strange Universe! Whakarongo mai nei. 

Questions to Ministers Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? CAMERON BREWER to the Minister of Finance: Are events in the Middle East impacting the New Zealand economy? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by all her statements and actions? MARIAMENO KAPA-KINGI to the Minister for Child Poverty Reduction: What immediate actions is she taking to stop the escalation of the near-170,000 tamariki experiencing child poverty and hardship, particularly for Maori, who make up a quarter of this number across Aotearoa? CHLÖE SWARBRICK to the Prime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL to the Minister of Health: Does he agree with Health New Zealand that "New Zealanders expect that companies involved in healthcare have secure systems and platforms that safeguard their private information"; if so, what steps has he taken to get assurance that all companies involved in healthcare have cyber-secure systems? MIKE BUTTERICK to the Minister of Finance: What recent announcements has she made regarding KiwiSaver? RICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Will the Social Security (Accident Compensation and Calculation of Weekly Income) Amendment Bill impact ACC claimants who have survived sexual violence, survived abuse in care, and survived traumatic head injuries; if so, how many? CARL BATES to the Minister of Justice: What action is the Government taking to address disorderly behaviour in our communities? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN to the Minister of Police: Are there more or fewer individuals on the National Gang List since he took office? Dr VANESSA WEENINK to the Minister of Health: What recent announcements has he made about the use of AI scribes in our emergency departments? ANDY FOSTER to the Associate Minister of Health: What announcements has she made regarding tobacco and vape sale compliance?

Despite being at the backbone of our health system, primary care in Aotearoa is facing unprecedented struggles.That's according to a recent study looking at six wealthy countries healthcare systems, including New Zealand's. An Increasing shortage of GP's, with the marjority of the workforce planning to retire in the next 10 years, an ageing population of patients, along with outdated and disconnected degital systems hampering the streamline transfer of patients between health organisations is putting unprecedented strain on the system, increasing wait times, and worsining outcomes. To discuss their study and dig into their solutions I spoke to one of the study's researchers, Professor Felicity Goodyear-Smith from the Department of General Practice and Primary Healthcare.

Tourism continues to be a major force in the economy. Stats NZ says it shows tourism spending in New Zealand has hit $46.6 billion, up 3.3% on last year. International visitors spent $18.1 billion – a 7% jump. Tourism Industry Aotearoa CEO Rebecca Ingram told Mike Hosking this set of data runs until March 2025, and there's been a tremendous amount of effort invested since then. She says they're anticipating that the data they get next year will be even better. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James Fuller is the Co-Founder and CEO of Hnry, one of New Zealand's fastest growing fintech companies (nearly a billion dollar business), now processing income for hundreds of thousands of sole traders across Aotearoa and beyond. In this conversation, James shares the real story behind building Hnry, from spotting the opportunity early with his wife, to navigating the uncertainty, pressure and setbacks that come with scaling a company responsible for handling a growing share of New Zealand's tax system. We also unpack one of Hnry's boldest moves yet, securing the naming rights to Sky Stadium, now Hnry Stadium, why they did it, what the process looked like behind the scenes, and whether it was a calculated strategic play or a massive risk. Beyond the business headlines, we talk about the highs and lows of founding a company, the hardest decisions James has had to make as CEO, moments of self doubt, and what genuinely keeps him up at night while leading a company trusted by hundreds of thousands of people. Moana Road – https://moanaroad.co.nz/ Hnry – https://hnry.co.nz/  Beyond the Surface – https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_surfacenz/ Noa Woolloff Insta – https://www.instagram.com/noawoolloff/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@beyondthesurfacenz

INTERVIEW: RENÉE on new track 'BEEN A MINUTE' by Zac Hoffman on Radio One 91FM Dunedin

INTERVIEW: Zach Harrison on bike scavenger hunt around Ōtepoti by Zac Hoffman on Radio One 91FM Dunedin

WHO'S IN CHARGE? PART ONE. We asked Dr. Christa L. McKirland who is Dean of Faculty and Lecturer in Systematic Theology at Carey Baptist College. Her books include "A Theology of Authority: Rethinking Leadership in the Church" (2025) and "God's Provision, Humanity's Need: The Gift of our Dependence" (2022). Born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, she currently lives in Aotearoa, New Zealand with her husband, Matthew, and their two children. The Tru316 Foundation (www.Tru316.com) is the home of The Eden Podcast with Bruce C. E. Fleming where we “true” the verse of Genesis 3:16. The Tru316 Message is that “God didn't curse Eve (or Adam) or limit woman in any way.” Once Genesis 3:16 is made clear the other passages on women and men become clear too. You are encouraged to access the episodes of Seasons 1-11 of The Eden Podcast for teaching on the seven key passages on women and men. Are you a reader? We invite you to get from Amazon the four books by Bruce C. E. Fleming in The Eden Book Series (Tru316.com/trubooks). Would you like to support the work of the Tru316 Foundation? You can become a Tru Partner here: www.Tru316.com/partner

INTERVIEW: Harry Almey on new double-act theatre show The Dreaded Battered Pudding Hurler of Bexhill-on-Sea / Ye Bandit of Sherwood Forrest by Zac Hoffman on Radio One 91FM Dunedin

INTERVIEW: Dianne Swann on Taite Prize 2026 finalists by Zac Hoffman on Radio One 91FM Dunedin

What do you do when someone hurts you deeply? In this message, Paid in Full, we explore one of the most challenging commands of Jesus: “Love your enemies.” Through the powerful words of Luke 6:27–28 and the true story of Tārore from Aotearoa's history, we see what forgiveness looks like in real life. When a grieving father chose grace over revenge, it didn't just change his future—it helped transform a nation. Discover how the cross settles our debt, breaks the cycle of bitterness, and gives us the freedom to forgive. The price has already been paid—paid in full.

Time for our weekly showcase of Aotearoa's best musical talent, that's right, it's NZ Live. Today we're joined by a band that have been playing together since 2019 - when they formed with the lofty goal of creating the country's best bluegrass band. They went on to be a finalist for Best Folk band at the Aotearoa music awards just three years later. Their third album Midnight was released a few weeks ago, and today they're with us to play some songs from it. Here is You, Me, Everybody with their NZ Live debut.

Luke Willis Thompson is a Fijian New Zealand artist, currently based in Tāmaki. His politically geared practice circulates various mediums that are often conceptually driven; working amongst moving image, photography, performance, installation, and sculpture, as modes of exploration. His current solo exhibition at Ngutu Kākā gallery, B42040A1A1A presents Two major moving image works, Whakamoemoeā (2024), and Soro (2025). Each work utilizes this visual language of political theatre to imagine a decolonial future for Aotearoa.  This exhibition includes the first presentation of Whakamoemoeā in Aotearoa since its first viewing at the Shajah Biennial. The work set in 2040 centres a powerful address in te reo Māori on the Waitgani grounds by recognised broadcaster, journalist, and politician, Oriini Kaipara. The Second work shown within this exhibition Soro, envisions a re-enactment of the 2021 Dawn Raids Apology. Set 10 years on from former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's apology, Where an unnamed Prime Minister delivers the speech out of frame, the camera Instead focused on recognised NZSL interpreter Alan Wendt.  Maya caught up with Luke about the show, and overall practice. 

INTERVIEW: Sanoi on new album 'Augenblick Side: B' by Hunter Jolly and Felix Borrowdale on Radio One 91FM Dunedin

INTERVIEW: Finn Bellingham from Toroa on new three-part waiata 'Te Tīmatanga' by Zac Hoffman on Radio One 91FM Dunedin

Two brutal attacks across the motu have returned public attention to the issue of dog maulings that stubbornly refuses to be resolved. Since 2020, we've seen a 20% increase in injuries to people from dogs, coming to nearly THIRTY THOUSAND dog-related injuries reported per year (half of which are bites), and these are the numbers collected without mandatory reporting in Aotearoa. In the wake of these dog attacks, which saw one woman in Northland lose her life and a father and son in Christchurch severely injured, many people are looking for the government to act to address this issue that frequently flies under that radar until tragedies like this strike.  But how to respond, and what changes should be focused on, remain open questions. To get his opinion on how we should approach the issue, Wire Host Manny spoke with Associate Professor at Auckland Law School Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere on the issue of animal control legislative reform.

LIVE TO AIR & INTERVIEW: Prosa (Acoustic) by Cass Harrop on Radio One 91FM Dunedin

INTERVIEW: Shotgun Wedding new single "Bat Bombs" by Cass Harrop on Radio One 91FM Dunedin

INTERVIEW: Ben Botham and Sam Charlesworth on 'The Plan' new physical Ōtepoti Gig Guide by Fi Jaxx on Radio One 91FM Dunedin

INTERVIEW: THIRST 4 KNOWLEDGE: Hanna Ravn on resurgence of pakake/NZ sea lions chat @Ombrellos by Fi Jaxx on Radio One 91FM Dunedin

This week on the Tuesday Wire...  For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director Castor spoke to MP Simon Court about making English an official language of Aotearoa and reducing the minimum proposed homes for Auckland down to 1.6 million.  They also spoke to Dr. Mohsen Mohammadzadeh from the University of Auckland's school of architecture and planning about PC 120 and how to best develop Auckland as a city for the future.  And producer Alex spoke with Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Planning, Timothy Welch, about the Infrastructure Commission's suggestion of a $9 toll on the harbour bridge, whether it's the right move, and what it means for Auckland's Infrastructure planning.

On today's episode, we're hearing how Australian farmers are keeping their grapes sun safe.Plus, we're meeting a man named Bruce who stumbled upon a fossil!Quiz Questions1. What are grape growers putting on their grapes to protect them from the sun?2. What country did the school kids travel to?3. What type of dinosaur did the fossilised footprint belong to?4. How many animals did Ingrid and her children save from Daly River?5. What is the name of the micronation?Answers1. Sunscreen2. Aotearoa or New Zealand3. A Sauropodomorph4. 10 dogs and 1 cat5. Verdis

Today Jesse continues through the A-Z of Aotearoa. Today it's the letter P for Pies.

INTERVIEW: Amamelia on new track 'Theme From Living' by Josie Noller and Hunter Jolly on Radio One 91FM Dunedin

INTERVIEW: Imani-J on new track 'something special' + playing Toga Party @Ori by Zac Hoffman on Radio One 91FM Dunedin

The Brooking Report w/ MP Rachel Brooking by Zac Hoffman on Radio One 91FM Dunedin

INTERVIEW: Hemi Hemingway on new album 'Wings of Desire' by Zac Hoffman on Radio One 91FM Dunedin

A fast-track consent is currently being sought for a major gold mine in Cromwell, Central Otago.  This follows the approval of a controversial $8 billion dollar mine that received fast-track approval for the Coromandel in December.  Local response has largely presented environmental concerns, and raise questions of alternative initiatives for mineral mining in Aotearoa.  Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to Sue Coutts, Director of External Affairs at Zero Waste Aotearoa, about the potential of e-waste and a circular economy for mining gold and other materials.

Flooding, landslides, wild winds, these extreme weather events can leave many of you feeling overwhelmed about the state of our climate and what we could be facing in the future. But help could be at hand. The Climatics is a new people-powered climate fund that says it'll offer a practical way to take action by pooling money from everyday Kiwis and directing those funds to the climate groups doing systems-change work in Aotearoa. The Climatics co-founders Pip Wheaton and MJ Bethell chat to Jesse.

Questions to Ministers SCOTT WILLIS to the Minister for Energy: Has he seen reports that the big four electricity gentailers are projected to make $1.86 billion in operating profits for the six months to December; if so, does he think it's fair that households will likely pay more on their power bills on average to fund a liquefied natural gas import terminal? LAURA McCLURE to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: What will the changes in the Employment Relations Amendment Bill mean for businesses and workers? NANCY LU to the Minister of Finance: What reports has she seen about the economy? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? Hon MELISSA LEE to the Minister responsible for RMA Reform: What recent announcements has he made about Eden Park? TAKUTA FERRIS to the Minister of Health: Does he agree with the former Minister of Health's statement that "I want to see IMPBs with the ability to have commissioning authority. I will empower local health decisions and Maori health providers with more autonomy than they have had for some years"; if so, why does the Healthy Futures (Pae Ora) Amendment Bill remove statutory functions from iwi-Maori partnership boards? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by all her statements and actions? PAULO GARCIA to the Minister of Immigration: What update can she provide on the Active Investor Plus visa? Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS to the Minister for Energy: What is the estimated life cycle cost of the LNG terminal compared to projected levy revenue over the 15- and 20-year life cycles described in the Cabinet paper? CARL BATES to the Minister for Tourism and Hospitality: What recent announcements has she made about supporting major events in New Zealand? TEANAU TUIONO to the Minister of Climate Change: Has he seen the Copernicus Climate Change Service's recent finding that 2025 ranked among one of the hottest years for the Western Pacific region; if so, what actions has he taken to ensure Aotearoa is committed to ambitious climate action? Hon KIERAN McANULTY to the Minister for Infrastructure: Does he stand by his statements following the release of the Infrastructure Commission's National Infrastructure Plan?

The Sidebars take a moment to recover from their harrowing encounter at the sky farm and use unconventional means to get more information out of the (mysterious? frustrating?) doctor and professor.  Featuring:Erika Jayne as Taryn GrimSeverin Gourley as Dexter ClementineKasia Wayfinder as Granny Sabinkaand Julz Burgisser as DMVisit www.fateofisen.com to learn more.Fate of Isen is one of the Feedspot top D&D podcasts in the world! Check out Feedspot here.If you like the show, please feel free to follow us on social media (@fateofisen) or support us on Patreon! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ Intro, outro, and recap music by freesound user, Tyops, and ambient sound by TabletopAudio.com

A Wellington plastic surgeon is patching up dog attack victims on a weekly basis with some injuries so severe they're life changing. She believes Aotearoa needs to review animal control laws and consider mandatory reporting of bites and dog related injuries requiring medical treatment. Doctor Emily Yassaie spoke to Lisa Owen.

In Wellington, failure at the Moa Point wastewater treatment plant has led to millions of liters of wastewater being sent into the Cook Strait.  The incident has shed light on what scientific experts have been saying for years — that water infrastructure in New Zealand is out of date and incapable of handling the growing effect of climate challenges without deeper investment. The Salvation Army released their State of the Nation report which has found an increase in issues across the justice system, child welfare, and poverty contributing to declining social equality in Aotearoa. As well, NZ First leader Winston Peters is campaigning on a referendum on Māori seats in New Zealand. Wire Host Sara spoke to National MP Ryan Hamilton about all of these topics, starting with Moa Point. 

Artificial Intelligence has become a part of our lives today and can do everything that humans once relied on their education and expertise for. However, in her latest article for Newsroom, the University of Auckland's Senior Lecturer of Marketing, Professor Shahper Richter, says humans get to decide AI's future.  She says the values programmed into AI softwares don't necessarily fit the culture in Aotearoa, and that humans can still take their autonomy back from AI. 

There are hopes Auckland's new International Convention Centre will be a huge drawcard for international delegates. A Business Events Industry Aotearoa report reveals the sector delivered $925 million for the economy last year. It shows international delegates here for conferences spent $645 daily on average – higher than holiday visitors. CEO Lisa Hopkins told Mike Hosking they're in growth mode with the new convention centre coming online. She says they now have a strong suite of convention centres across the country, which gives them a broader opportunity to take businesses of different sizes, different needs, and different requirements. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Clancy and Errol attempt to finally answer a question that has plagued Australians for generations: what’s the go with New Zealand? From their polite accents and suspiciously competent rugby teams to their intense loyalty to provincial towns nobody here has heard of, this episode unpacks our strange cousins across the ditch. Thankfully, Kiwi comedian and New Zealand Today creator Guy Williams drops in to explain the cultural quirks, small-town politics, tall poppy syndrome and national psyche of Aotearoa... and why Australians still somehow don’t quite get it. Get tickets to Guy Williams' Australia tour here! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fiji's only professional circus is set to have its Aotearoa debut in just a few days' time. An off shoot of renowned Fiji performance arts company VOU, the Fijian Flying Circus is a world-first fusion of indigenous storytelling and contemporary circus. Featuring aerial acts, acrobatics, dance and drama, it is a celebration of culture. The group is performing at Hannahs PlayHouse in Wellington from the 17th to the 22nd of February as part of this year's Fringe Festival. They're also headlining the Hamilton Arts Festival on the 27th and 28th of February. Susie's joined by Artistic Director Navi Fong and three members of the troupe who'll perform some live music from the show.

In the latest series of Origins, Scotty Morrison follows in the footsteps of the first explorers and settlers of Aotearoa. From time at sea on a voyaging waka under traditional navigation techniques to snow-capped peaks, he traces the first landings, accompanying archeologists as they link artifacts to those journeys. Scotty speaks with Mihingarangi about the process of filming such an epic journey and the responsibility he feels to share it.

Cashing up clutter is becoming a national obsession. But there's still billions of dollars' worth of pre-loved goods lying idle in homes around Aotearoa according to a new report on the so-called circular economy. The report commissioned by Trademe surveyed 4000 New Zealand based people in October and November last year. The results show about 75 percent of them currently have unused or unwanted items they could sell. Head of Trade Me Marketplace, Lisa Stewart spoke to Lisa Owen.

$1,000,000 is on the line. It's the biggest prize in Aotearoa radio history. There are 100 envelopes. 99 envelopes have $10,000, and ONE envelope hides a life changing $1,000,000. Our Finalist Tamara had her shot at scoring big, and this is how it all went down.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since 2018 there's been a massive effort underway to clear over 110,000 hectares of South Westland of possums, rats and stoats. As the pest numbers have dropped the native flora and fauna seem to have flourished. The eradication stage is now nearing completion, and the focus is switching to maintenance. What will it take to keep the pests out long-term? And what can be learned from this large-scale project that could be used elsewhere in Aotearoa? Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.Learn more:Read/Listen to the rest of the reports from Tess Brunton's reporting trip to the West Coast, about the eradication project, the work of species dogs, the feedback from tour operators and how rowi, New Zealand's rarest kiwi, has been helped come back from the brink.For more on the use of AI in pest management project, listen to how the Southern Lakes Sanctuary team have been making use of it at Wye Creek.Guests:Chad Cottle, Predator Free South WestlandEthan Perry, Predator Free South WestlandNate St Hill, Predator Free South WestlandPouri Rakete-Stones, Predator Free South WestlandDion Arnold, White Heron Sanctuary ToursGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

New Zealand wine stands at a fork in the road. One path leads towards corporate behemoths churning out industrial quantities of mass-market Sauvignon Blanc; the other features increasingly refined, site-specific wines across a range of styles that compete with the world's very best. Which will it be?In this New Zealand Wines of the Year feature, we take you behind the scenes after tasting hundreds of wines to get to grips with what's really going on in Kiwi wine.We highlight the best producers, what they're doing and why. And we throw more than a few big calls out there - for example, why New Zealand Chardonnay and Pinot Noir is currently getting our vote over Burgundy...and why fizz should be part of New Zealand's wine future.We're privileged to be joined by New Zealand wine royalty in the shape of Helen Masters (Ata Rangi), Matt Thomson (Blank Canvas), Matt Sutherland (Dog Point), Kevin Judd (Greywacke), Ed Donaldson (Pegasus Bay)...and part-time actor, full-time wine superstar Sam Neill (Two Paddocks).This episode is published in tandem with a full report on our website, which is free to download and comes with tons of information and opinion, from vintage summaries to planting stats, plus the odd map: New Zealand Wines of the Year 2026 ReportThanks to New Zealand Winegrowers for facilitating this Wines of the Year initiative, and to the wineries for supporting. This episode is dedicated to the memory of James Healy, who sadly died in early 2026. Thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode, including the full report, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E17 - New Zealand Wines of the Year 2026To support the show, enjoy subscriber-only bonus content as well as early access to all episodes plus full archive access, not to mention subscriber benefits and giveaways, subscribe to Wine Blast PLUS at wineblast.co.ukInstagram: @susieandpeter

Nicola Evans is a space holder and weaver of gentle pathways back to coherence. Born in Aotearoa and now residing at Evolve Sanctuary, a retreat centre in the ancient Wollumbin caldera, of the Bundjalung nation. She lives in deep relationship with land, breath, and the more than human world. Nicola is a Chajin in the Global Tea Hut lineage, a guide of breath and sound, and a steward of equine and elemental wisdom. Through regenerative farming, temple tending, and harmonic practices such as Biomancy, Biofield Tuning, and the Way of Tea, she offers a living field where people can remember the intelligence of their own bodies and the language of deep listening. At the heart of everything Nicola shares, is a devotion to connection: between humans and horses, breath and body, land and Spirt, stillness and movement.Instagram: @memoirs.of.a.wild.oneSend us a textSupport the showCan't get enough of the Journey On Podcast & it's guests? Here are two more ways to engage with them. Find exclusive educational content from previous podcast guests which include webinars, course and more: https://courses.warwickschiller.com If you want to meet your favorite podcast guest in person, you can attend our annual Journey On Podcast Summit either in person or via live stream: https://summit.warwickschiller.com Become a Patreon Member today! Get access to podcast bonus segments, ask questions to podcast guests, and even suggest future podcast guests while supporting Warwick: https://www.patreon.com/journeyonpodcastWarwick has over 900 Online Training Videos that are designed to create a relaxed, connected, and skilled equine partner. Start your horse training journey today!https://videos.warwickschiller.com/Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WarwickschillerfanpageWatch hundreds of free Youtube Videos: https://www.youtube.com/warwickschillerFollow us on Instagram: @warwickschiller