Podcasts about North Island

Sarah and Simon squeeze in to discuss upcoming festivities. Sarah tightly shares about her time on the North Island of NZ, while Simon breathes in to talk about a unique parkrun experience for him. There are roving reports from Bowen, Wynuum and Parrs Park parkruns. This episode is filled with celebrations and we learn about the importance of double checking your own luggage before leaving home.              

As Cook and company begin to make their way down the west coast of the North Island they look for a place to stop and careen the ship. What they find is a place that Cook will return to again and again.Check out the website and shownotes!Become a Patron! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At this time of the year there's only one place I'd love to be: The North Island. These are the largest moths in Aotearoa. They are also very nicely coloured – lots of green and yellow as well as white and orange patches. Their wingspan is up to 150mm, and they're a noisy flyer at night. Females are often larger than males – they lay masses of eggs as they fly through the forest at night. The relatively small caterpillars hatch on the forest floor and commence eating dead wood, infected by fungal material. The funny thing is that these very young caterpillars only move around for 6 to 12 months, after which they move up tree trunks to find out what the wood tastes like… Once they've found a suitable tree with nice bark and yummy phloem and xylem, they will start to build a long-term tunnel system in which they can live 5, 6, or even 7 years. It's a 7-shaped tunnel that goes into the trunk and down (yes, the shape of a 7!), and it lives there for 7 years. The puriri moth “homes” are always protected by a patch of silk that protects the dwelling from enemies such as centipedes and even small birds. The silk is tough enough to keep the predators out. Caterpillars chew on the re-growth of the Cambium at night and bit by bit, which is why it takes so long for these larvae to become “mature”. Once they have reached their final “instar” (size) they turn into a chrysalis (a “Pupa”) that finally becomes that huge green ghost moth that we see flying at this time of the year. The adult moths (which grew to that size in 7 years!) have just 24 hours (and at most to 48 hours), to do all their loving, living, and shopping. They look spectacular and full of protein and eggs…. Which is why Ruru are keen on hunting these insects LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tohu Pinot Gris 2025, Awatere Valley, Marlborough RRP from $18.99 The Awatere is located on the eastern site of Marlborough with many of the vineyards at the north-eastern reaches. On a clear day, the North Island is easy to see. This location means many of the vineyards are exposed to the easterly and southerly breezes, but there are significant sunshine hours to ripen the grapes. The wine styles are nearly always fresh and taut, often with a saline quality to the acidity. Lots of citrus and pomaceous fruit flavours are common in the wines. Founded in 1998, Tohu Wines is the world's first Māori-owned wine company. They produce excellent wines including sparkling and Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, and this Pinot Gris. This wine has some delicacy about it, it is bright, taut, fresh, salivating. The varietal flavours of green and red apple, white peach, pear and some honeysuckle deliver the core mid-palate flavours and weight. Salivating and just dry on the palate with textures from lees and acidity creating a vibrant mouthfeel. Well-made, balanced and ready to drink from late 2025 through 2028. The season: rather excellent Warm spring. Near-perfect flowering. Above-average yields. The diurnal shift from warm days to cool night ensured both flavour development and acidity were preserved. Food match: New season sweet corn with lots of butter and sea-salt with this wine is a near perfect match. You can also dip the corn cob into a sour-cream sprinkled with nutmeg for some extra matching. Alternatively, a sweetcorn fritter topped with sour-cream and a slice of smoke salmon works just as well with the Tohu Pinot Gris. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Major resurfacing work on one of Wellington's most crucial transport links begins today, three years after the road was completed. NZTA's Regional Manager for the lower North Island and upper South Island's Mark Owen spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

This time of the year a wonderful Pohutukawa “shrub” is flowering its little heads off: Metrosideros carminia known as the crimson rata; a Native in the North Island all the way down to Taranaki and Hawkes Bay. It comes as a shrub when you get them from cuttings, but they'll move up like tree climbers when they emerge from seeds. Pollinators love them – and so do I. Favourite food of tui and bellbirds, as well as silvereyes and wood pigeons (kereru). Kowhai come in many different species and heights; there are fabulous, gnarled forms which, in themselves, are beautifully sculptured. Divaricating shrubs!! Muehlenbeckia astonii. A Native plant that could be your new hedge, or your sculpted shrub, or even a suitable nesting site for native birds. It's all about elegant little leaves, hanging from a zig-zagging system of branches that you will only find in Aotearoa. In winter the whole shrub will change colours to a Dark-Orange that will stand out, no matter what the weather is like. White flowers – and all this is endemic. May I introduce you to the Corokia - another yellow Native of our country. It's full of flowers at this time of the year; also with zig-zag twigs and Endemic distribution – we know how to grow weird and wonderful natives! Often on these flowering shrubs you will find native bees sucking nectar for their off-spring, pollinating the flowers and creating large amounts of seeds for our landscapes Horopito (Pseudowintera colorata) is another one of those shrubs that stands out in its colour – It's native to New Zealand, and our local “garden fiddlers” have managed to breed a range of varieties in all sorts of colours. If you want to see them spectacularly bunched together in our native habitat, go to the Catlins: you'll fall in love with them! Oh – and the leaves are edible… lovely and hot. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Power is still out for about 2000 properties in the lower and central North Island after Thursday's severe storm. While locals are surveying the damage there - a State of emergency has been declared in Southland, where severe weather has also hit power and water sources. In the Tararua town of Eketahuna, the sun is shining after two days of destructive winds ripped up trees, flipped caravans, and tore down sheds. Reporter Mary Argue was there.

In a competition inspired by the famous Foxton forger, dozens of artists have submitted their best imitations in the hope of earning a coveted central North Island counterfeiting crown. The biennial Mangaweka Fakes and Forgeries exhibition opens tomorrow and the judges are right now finalising the top forger or faker. The event is nearly 20 years old and is inspired by New Zealand's only convicted art fraudster, Karl Sim, who was born in Managweka. Jimmy Ellingham reports

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by Ed McKnight and Niki Bezzant First up, a whip around on the extreme weather affecting the lower North Island and South island, including Helen who had her yurt destroyed by a falling tree. Then, over 100,000 public servants including nurses, teachers and others have walked off the job as part of the "megastrike". The Panel talks to the union for counsellors about why their members that work in schools have joined the strike. Finally the Panel talks to Autism New Zealand chief executive Dane Dougan about the extraordinary case in the UK where the family of an autistic man in England is appalled that the supermarket he volunteers for refused to pay him when it was requested. Could it happen here?

In late August a group of Australian vegetable growers spent a week in New Zealand as part of the vegetable and onion study tour program, funded by Hort Innovation.‘These industry study tours provide opportunities for Australian vegetable and onion growers and supply chain businesses to increase their awareness and knowledge of the research and innovations in the global horticulture industry through the delivery of tours to strategic vegetable and onion growing regions, conferences, facilities, and innovation centres around the globe.Over five days the group visited farming operations across the country's North Island, retail operations, the biosecurity operations at Wellington's international airport and were delegates at the annual New Zealand horticulture conference.The tour group included Warrick Purden, the General Manager of Farm Operations with Hussey and Co in Victoria's Gippsland, and Jimmy Fox and Calvin Parker, who are from near Manjimup in Western Australia, and both part of their family's farming operations, primarily growing potatoes, but also other vegetable crops.Campbell Cooney spoke with them about what they learnt on the tour and why they wanted to be part of it. VG23002 is funded by Hort Innovation using the vegetable and onion research and development levies and contributions from the Australian Government.Vegalogue is the podcast from AUSVEG, the peak body for Australia's vegetable, potato, and onion industries, where we examine the pressing issues and latest developments in our sector. Thanks for listening! You can find out more about AUSVEG and the Australian vegetable industry at ausveg.com.au. Subscribe to our newsletter, or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, or Tik Tok.

Serious weather warnings are in place for the lower North Island and South Island. MetService head of weather news Heather Keats spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

In the North Island, Red Wind Warnings are in place for Wellington and southern Wairarapa. There are extensive public transport and flight cancellations. Air New Zealand says it's already cancelled almost 100 flights today. CEO Nikhil Ravishankar says told Mike Hosking that it will only operate flights if it's safe to do so. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dorothy is a Clairvoyant Energy Therapist helping others solve personal dilemmas and gain spiritual development. She has over 23 years experience as a full time professional services in person and online. Based in the Far North of New Zealand's North Island she educates professionals in the healing arts and trains group leaders in meditative practices and programs. She has been committed to mind over matter concepts encouraging her clients to develop great habits while allowing that healing is a short term process if the future is considered in relation to growth and development and not a past focus. Self Actualization is a tool of reaching ones full potential, Dorothy firmly believes that faster is better and has trained in a variety of methods to combine as therapies to accomodate exactly that.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-x-zone-radio-tv-show--1078348/support.Please note that all XZBN radio and/or television shows are Copyright © REL-MAR McConnell Meda Company, Niagara, Ontario, Canada – www.rel-mar.com. For more Episodes of this show and all shows produced, broadcasted and syndicated from REL-MAR McConell Media Company and The 'X' Zone Broadcast Network and the 'X' Zone TV Channell, visit www.xzbn.net. For programming, distribution, and syndication inquiries, email programming@xzbn.net.We are proud to announce the we have launched TWATNews.com, launched in August 2025.TWATNews.com is an independent online news platform dedicated to uncovering the truth about Donald Trump and his ongoing influence in politics, business, and society. Unlike mainstream outlets that often sanitize, soften, or ignore stories that challenge Trump and his allies, TWATNews digs deeper to deliver hard-hitting articles, investigative features, and sharp commentary that mainstream media won't touch.These are stories and articles that you will not read anywhere else.Our mission is simple: to expose corruption, lies, and authoritarian tendencies while giving voice to the perspectives and evidence that are often marginalized or buried by corporate-controlled media

The Minister for the South Island is ducking for cover. I probably would be too, if I was him. Because he knows it's going to be very difficult to defend the pitiful share the South Island is getting from the Government's latest $1.2billion funding round for new roads and roading upgrades. The south island has been virtually shut out, with just 6 percent of the money going to projects here. The Hope Bypass, near Nelson, is the only one south of Cook Strait. With no mention of making State Highway 1 north and south of Christchurch four lanes, which regional leaders say is needed. Leann Watson from Business Canterbury is saying that, considering the South Island's contribution to New Zealand's economy, it doesn't sound fair. And she's spot on. In fact, I think she's being generous. It's a rip-off. Tell that to Transport Minister Chris Bishop, though, who says the Government can't do everything at once and needs to prioritise roading projects. But there's at least one road in the South Island that needs to be given much higher priority - which everyone seems to have been banging-on about for ages. State Highway 1 between Christchurch and Ashburton is an absolute shocker. It's a stretch that South Island Minister James Meagher will know only too well. How many times do you reckon he's driven on that road since becoming an MP and since becoming the minister who's supposed to be in Wellington advocating for us? The guy who seems to have gone to ground and who hasn't been available to respond to media inquiries about this South Island road funding debacle. No wonder he hasn't been available. Because it is indefensible. At least the transport minister is fronting. Not only saying that the Government can't do everything at once but also saying that the roads that have got funding - 94 percent of them in the North Island - are getting the green light because they are what he calls “top priority corridors”. He says they're top priority because they will boost freight movement, increase safety and lead to economic growth. But let's just test that. Would a 4-lane highway between Christchurch and Ashburton already boost freight movement? Of course, it would. What about safety? Would a 4-lane highway be safer, compared to the 2-lane goat track we've got at the moment? That's a no-brainer. And what about economic growth? Would a 4-lane highway between Christchurch and Ashburton do good things for the economy? Do I even need to answer that one? The Government's argument for 94 percent of this new road funding going to the North Island doesn't stack up. LISTEN ABOVE Note: Minister Meager did issue a statement - however it was not initially reported. See below the Minister's full statement: “I'm very pleased with yesterday's confirmation of a near $1.2 billion for the next stage of our Roads of National Significance (RoNS) programme. “The Hope Bypass project is significant for the South Island. SH6 is a vital connection for our people and goods to get around, and this bypass will help boost economic growth in Nelson Tasman. It will also bring wider economic benefits for the region; through the jobs the project will create. “It's important to note yesterday's update is just one part of the Government's ongoing infrastructure work programme. “Developments continue on the Belfast to Pegasus and Woodend Bypass (a RoNS), with a FTAA application being worked through currently. “The South Island is also well-represented with six projects in the Roads of Regional Significance (RoRS) work programme, with the Queenstown upgrade package and five Canterbury RoRs: SH76 Brougham Street Upgrades S75 Halswell Road Improvements SH1 Rolleston Access Improvements The second Ashburton Bridge “We've also committed to important South Island roading infrastructure outside of the RoNs and RoRs programmes, like a replacement bridge for Christchurch's Pages Road, which I announced $38.5 million of Government funding for in August.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Extreme winds are battering Wellington, Wairapa and the South Island. Winds of up to 150km/h are expected today as red strong wind warnings are in place for much of the South Island's eastern regions and southern parts of the North Island. More than 100 flights have been cancelled, along with some of the planned strikes in tehe affected areas. Transpower Executive General Manager of Grid Delivery Mark Ryall told Kerre Woodham that three the Canterbury to Nelson power lines 'trip out' due to the extreme weather. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There have been calls for a review of the warnings issued ahead of last week's weather event which brought down hundreds of slips, closed dozens of central North Island roads, inundated farms and flooded homes. An orange warning was issued, but the Mayor of the Waitomo District and the Minister for Rural Communities are questioning whether that should have been uprgaded. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin was in Waitomo.

James Green from Hidden Honey is driving across the North Island on a mission to raise awareness about pollination. He talks to Jesse.

Joker, a North Island brown kiwi has made a dramatic entrance to the world in Napier. Bev Wilkinson, husbandry manager at Napier Kiwi Creche spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The government has no plans to back down on its proposed card surcharge ban - despite pleas from businesses to pause the move; Parliament's Speaker is planning to bring some higher standards to the House, particularly looking at attendance and dress code.; The company behind Pita Pit says the demand from young people looking for jobs has grown exponentially in the last year; Joker, a North Island brown kiwi has made a dramatic entrance to the world in Napie.

Policies enacted by seven nations and one international agreement have been recognized by the World Future Council for “top policy solutions for [humans], nature and generations to come.” On this edition of Mongabay's podcast, the council's CEO, Neshan Gunasekera, shares key highlights of the eight World Future Policy Award laureates. Under the theme of “Living in Harmony with Nature and Future Generations,” the winners for 2025 “bring to light the future orientation of the way we take decisions at [a] time that there are multiple crises facing ourselves as a species, but also the planet,” he says. The winning legal and legislative initiatives span seven nations, from South Africa to Uganda, Panama, Spain, Aotearoa New Zealand, Bhutan and Austria. The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement (BBNJ), which establishes a binding U.N. treaty on the use of ocean resources beyond national borders, was among the initiatives awarded. The movement that granted legal personhood to the Whanganui River in Aotearoa New Zealand was also recognized. Both of these cases were previously the focus of Mongabay Newscast episodes hosted by Rachel Donald. “Nature doesn't need us, we need nature,” Gunasekera says. “And I think that's the realization we are coming to quite slowly, because any act that we have has a positive impact on the planet. But also, if you're not careful, every act could have a negative impact. Impact on nature has no national boundaries or borders. It has a global impact.” Find the Mongabay Newscast wherever you listen to podcasts, from Apple to Spotify. All past episodes are also listed here at the Mongabay website. Image Credit: The wide, steep-cliffed Whanganui River ferries spring water and snowmelt from Mount Tongariro to the west coast of Aotearoa New Zealand's North Island. Image by Jason Pratt via Flickr (CC BY 2.0) ------- Timecodes (00:00) The World Future Policy Awards (10:48) The global impact of ‘Rights of Nature' laws (14:15) Addressing the criticisms of ‘Rights of Nature' (27:17) Human rights and global enforcement (36:16) The global impact award

Heavy rain has smashed parts of the central north island, causing flooding and closing highways. In the northern Ruaphehu region, the three townships of Ohura, Matiere and Tokorima were cut off because of slips and flooding. Ruapehu Civil Defence Controller Clive Manley spoke to Lisa Owen.

Lauren Crimp reports on council election results from across the North Island.

This week on Inspire Change...Gunter dives into a conversation: From the Self to the Common Good and How Personal Tranformation Protects our Universities, Hospitals and Schools. #InspireChange #Philosophy #Science #Reflection #Contemplation #SelfDevelopment #Masculinity #MakingGoodMenGreat #stoicism Our gratitude this week goes out to our listeners in both the USA and around the globe.  For the US we would like to express our gratitude to those of you listening in New York City, and give you a great big CONGRATULATIONS!!!! for bringing New York all the way to #2 on the USA's Top 10 listeners List, thank you to all of you for inspiring positive social change.  Next we Take a look at the "Top 10 Global Listener's List" and we want to thank our listeners in both Dunedin (Dun-EE-din) on New Zealand's South Island and on the North Island in the city of Turanga (Toe-rung-gah) for making New Zealand #5.  CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!   Thank you to not only all our New Zealand listeners, but all our listeners for tuning in & supporting Positive Global Social Change.   This makes you a part of Gunter's efforts in transforming not only men's lives but lives in general and we are grateful you have joined us.  I, DeVonna Prinzi the Co-Exec Producer and our Showrunner Miranda Spigener-Sapon sincerely thank you and ask that you please take the time to like, follow, subscribe, and share as your efforts make a difference to everyone here at Inspire Change with Gunter.   Please remember If you want to share your story of social change, feel free to reach out  to the show directly. Please see the show-notes for our contact information, but most importantly keep Inspiring positive social change.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspire-change-with-gunter--3633478/support.Gunter Swoboda and Lorin Josephson's neo-noir/supernatural thriller novel Amulets of Power, Book I A Brian Poole Mystery is officially ON SALE EVERYWHERE you like to get book, but if you want a discount please consider ording direct. ANY LISTENER who order's direct will get a surprise gift. https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=3RoOA6kVQ7ZgmqSK9LdnvNyDAZZFsg9IMaLUaprPgXKMake sure you LIKE SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW our new Official YouTube Channel of Video Shorts series: https://www.youtube.com/@InspireChangewithGunterSwoboda/videos where we will be adding new videos and content every week from Gunter and our guests.  https://www.youtube.com/@InspireChangewithGunterSwoboda/videos

Bowel cancer is New Zealand's second biggest cancer killer. Yesterday, the Health Minister confirmed changes to the free bowel screening criteria. From Monday, the starting age for screenings will be lowered from 60 to 58 in Northland, Auckland, and the South Island. The rest of the North Island will follow in March 2026. Health Minister Simeon Brown speaks to Tim Beveridge. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well if you thought 10,000 listeners was big, you haven't heard our 50th episode yet! Another bumper one this time.The Ausbowl State Championships! A meeting of all our Australsian provinces for a weekend of team based gaming with one team taking out the top spot. Running concurrently with the Greenstone Cup (which will be the subject of our 51st episode) a multitude of Aussies descended on Mission Bay to try and wrestle the silverware away from us and drag it back to the West Island.There were several outcomes but on key one was that the Powtearoa Studios have been invaded by Kangaroo Plushies, Cans of VB, Posters of 80s soap opera's and Down Underworld Denizens very own Babs!Babs has long been a Friend of the Show and he returns today as one of the members of the Queensland team who took part in the ASC. Toffer and Trickey are also joined by our own Claymore. Claymore was part of the North Island team at this massive event.So what happened? Well, lets find out as we bring you episode 50 or Powtearoa - The New Zealand Blood Bowl Podcast!!If you still have not seen the Baldwin Street Dice Predictor that we mentioned it can be found here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=746D6epkKcgBobsol's fantastic new AUS/NZ Blood Bowl webpage can be found here - https://www.bbanz.net/ Full details of the Greenstone Cup can be found on the Discord but please hold listener, we will get back to this tournament soon.If you are not already on discord, come and join us on the NZBB Discord server here - https://tinyurl.com/joinNZBBC and please visit the NZ Blood Bowl Community FB page here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/NZBBC/ If you are not already on discord, come and join us on the NZBB Discord server here - https://tinyurl.com/joinNZBBC and please visit the NZ Blood Bowl Community FB page here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/NZBBC/ Intro music adapted from Bensound.com. Cheers Bensound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Experts say better staffing numbers will be key to improving bowel-cancer screening. The screening age is set to lower to 58 for Northland, Auckland and the South Island today, with the rest of the North Island to follow in March. More than 120,000 people will qualify for screening in the first year of this change, and the Government aims to boost colonoscopy capacity to lower the age screening age further. But colorectal surgeon Frank Frizelle says there's plenty of capacity to expand it, but more resources are needed. "The Government is walking very cautiously in this line, because it's worried that its resources won't be able to deliver. To me, it doesn't seem to match up." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Sunday Panel, Chelsea Daniels from the Front Page podcast and TV producer, journalist and commentator, Irene Gardiner, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! From Monday, the starting age for bowel cancer screenings will be lowered from 60 to 58 in Northland, Auckland, and the South Island. The rest of the North Island will follow in March 2026. Do we think the Government could have done more with this? Do we need to loosen up royal traditions? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With two feature guests this week, this episode discusses into issues in New Zealand's food and fibre sector, including the proposed Dawn Meat deal by Alliance Group, the celebration of 100 years of Rural Women New Zealand, and the ongoing connectivity challenges faced by rural communities. Feature | Alliance's Next Move: Insights from Farmer Meetings1:39 – Alliance Group chair Mark Wynne joins Bryan to discuss how farmers are reacting to the proposed investment by Dawn Meats. He's been fronting a series of farmer meetings and says there have been some insightful questions asked.Feature | 100 Years of Empowering Rural Women13:53 – Rural Women NZ chief executive Sandra Matthews tells Bryan how the 100-year celebrations are going for the organisation. She says it's a year of both looking back with pride, while ensuring they're primed to take on the years ahead.Feds Focus | Rural Connectivity Shows No improvement27.24 – Federated Farmers telecommunications spokesperson Mark Hooper reveals the findings of the latest rural connectivity survey, which shows internet access hasn't improved in rural areas, and some are reporting that it is getting worse.The Final Word35:55 – Synlait's annual results show that the milk processor is back on track, with a proposed sale of its North Island operations imminent. But, like Fonterra, Synlait has slimmed down its strategy and discarded some projects. Have NZ processors realised they can't do everything and should stay out of some parts of the supply chain?

Horse riders in the lower North Island have raised concerns over safe road access. A shared path along the Ōtaki to North of Levin Expressway - a project currently under construction - prompted concern after horse riders were excluded from the path. NZ Equestrian Advocacy Network chairperson Shelly Warwick says the group's lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission, citing concerns over equity. "There are alternatives for every other user if you want to take them, but they've made a shared-use path to cater for vulnerable road users to get across this community, but excluded horse riders." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the earthquake-prone building system overhaul has been welcomed by many in the North Island, building owners in Dunedin are facing a different prospect. Dunedin Property Developer Russell Lund spoke to Corin Dann.

Feedback pod today and we've got some cracking questions from wolfpackers to run through.Mick has a question about slow play at his club, particularly as they have some older members.Jack is looking forward to the Australian Open and, aside from Rory, wants to know has there been any other big names revealed as coming.Wayne asks for Nick and Marks thoughts on the best Australian Open finish they ever saw.Mike once saw New Zealand's Ryan Fox hit a policeman with a wayward drive, we find out if Nick and Mark ever hit anyone.....Nick did, and drew blood, Mark was playing with a celebrity when the celebrity hit someone - and that story ended hilariously (not for the person but for us).After the turn, we have a 59 to rate, is Mark feeling generous ?Ned is heading to New Zealand in January and is after some advice on courses that he should look to play on the North Island.Richard has a solution to the length issue in golf.Jeff has a suggestion for the best drive under pressure.And following on from Jeffs suggestion, Mark ends on a sad (for him) story (hilarious for us) about a drive on the same course Jeff raises.We're live from Titleist and FootJoy HQ thanks to our great partners:BMW, luxury and comfort for the 19th hole;Titleist, the #1 ball in golf;FootJoy, the #1 shoe and glove in golf;PING will help you play your best;Golf Clearance Outlet, they beat everyone's prices;Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia;And watchMynumbers and Southern Golf Club. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shelby and Andrew are back planning a trip to New Zealand's South Island and rounding out their plans for the North Island. Before that there's a Marriage Movie Minute and lots of dumb bits!

Rob Eckford, CEO of Rua Gold Inc. (TSXV: RUA) (OTCQB: NZAUF) (WKN: A40QYC), joins me to introduce the value proposition and current work programs at their 2 district-scale gold exploration projects in New Zealand.   Rob starts off by highlighting that their team, that has developed, constructed, and run mines in Burkina Faso and Colombia, but then decided to focus on New Zealand a handful of years ago; eventually leading to the company going from private to publicly listed in 2024.   They've consolidated the land over 2 large land packages prospective for high-grade gold on both the North Island and South Island.   The Company controls the Reefton Gold District as the dominant landholder in the Reefton Goldfield on New Zealand's South Island with over 120,000 hectares of tenements, in a district that historically produced over 2Moz of gold grading between 9 and 50g/t.  The exploration team currently has 3 drills turning across the project, and anticipates an update to the Resource Estimate by year end.   The Company's Glamorgan Project solidifies Rua Gold's position as a leading high-grade gold explorer on New Zealand's North Island. This highly prospective project is located within the North Islands' Hauraki district, a region that has produced an impressive 15Moz of gold and 60Moz of silver. Glamorgan is adjacent to OceanaGold Corporation's biggest gold mining project, Wharekirauponga; north of their Waihi gold mine. After obtaining a permit later this year, drilling will commence across the Glamorgan Project.   Rob shares his background and the pedigree and experience of the management team and board of directors, and wraps us up with the capital share structure, key strategic investors, and financial strength of the Company to execute on its next initiatives.   If you have any questions for Rob regarding Rua Gold, then please email them into me at Shad@kereport.com.   Click here to follow the latest news from Rua Gold

Voting papers are about to arrive for the local body elections, but for residents in two districts they won't include anything about a mayoral contest. The mayors of Manawatu, in the lower North Island, and Hurunui, in North Canterbury, will be elected unopposed. They see it as a sign of their districts seeking consistency, although one local government academic says it could actually signal apathy. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

Our largest-ever North Island tourism alliance is just getting started, as they work to win over Australian travellers this week. More than 70 tourism operators are attending events in Sydney today and Melbourne tomorrow under the partnership Kiwi North. It was formed in May, when 15 tourism North Island organisations joined forces to draw more attention from key markets. Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Destination Director Annie Dundas told Mike Hosking that the aim is to show that the North Island has just as much to offer as the South Island does. She says the South Island enjoyed a great lift in tourist numbers from Australia, and they're hoping to see a lift of 1-2% for the North Island from this work. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Populations of North Island brown kiwi, kaka and long-tailed bats are starting to swell as pest control efforts within Pukenui Forest near Whangarei ramp up. 

Break out the books, the first literary festival for the top of the North Island kicks off later this week. 

An old school roving vegetable truck packed full of garden fresh goodies has grown so popular it is heading to towns all around the North Island, and the couple behind it are hoping to expand further. The Raetihi couple behind it, Emma and Kim Young, expanded the business from an honesty box at the end of the drive way to a mobile vegetable truck. Emma Young from Young's Vegetable truck spoke to Lisa Owen.

This week for Our Changing World, we're doing things a little differently and we catch up with Claire Concannon in person! Claire has been out and about in the central North Island learning about a community conservation project.

With rural health care under the spotlight, our guest this week sheds some light on working in a small country hospital. Sophia Zohrab is among 12 med students on Auckland University's rural medicine immersion programme, sprinkled around North Island towns. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Sophia ZohrabGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

For many older people, moving out of the family home and downsizing - either to a smaller home or to a retirement village - is an overwhelming task. A lifetime of accumulated possessions - some precious, some not - but all needing sorting and most needing a new home. It can be a painful and emotional process, says Judy Thorpe, who founded Taskmasters in Wellington, and whose team around the North Island have helped thousands of older people downsize. She shares her advice.

All the rain hammering the North Island for the past months has filled Auckland's water supply dams to 100 percent, the first time since 2023. Watercare head of water Sharon Danks spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Weather watches and warnings are in place for much of the North Island and the top of the South Island, as a band of wild weather moves across the country. MetService's head of weather news Heather Keats spoke to Corin Dann.

The battle on the frontlines of conservation continues around the motu. This week we head to the central North Island to join some of the staff and volunteers of Project Tongariro. Ecologist Nick Singers is coordinating the fight against the invasive grey willow that's taking over a wetland area, while Shirley Potter is applying a ‘let's get it done' attitude to reforesting a patch of public conservation land near her home in Tauranga-Taupō. Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.Guests:Kiri Te Wano, CEO of Project TongariroShirley PotterNick SingersLearn more:Willow is an issue in many wetland areas where it binds up waterways and transforms the land. Just outside Dunedin, a team are using drone spraying to combat it near the Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau wetland complex.In the Rotopiko wetland complex, near Hamilton, the pest battle is a bit unusual: conservationists are concerned about the half a million sparrows and starlings that roost at night.The fight for the forest also continues on multiple pest fronts in the Catlins area in Otago.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Wild weather is lashing the tops of both the North and South Islands this afternoon. A heavy rain warning is in place for the water-logged top of the South Island where, the MetService says, there could be a threat to life. The Nelson-Tasman region is under a state of emergency, as residents there are warned of significant flooding and possible slips. The MetService has issued an orange rain warning for the top of the North Island, as well as Taranaki, Bay of Plenty and Tairawhiti. MetService meteorologist John Law spoke to Lisa Owen.

MetService has issued a slew of heavy rain and wind warnings affecting much of the North Island and the top of the South. MetService's head of weather news Heather Keats spoke to Corin Dann.

A 15 year old school boy is cycling his way down the North Island this school holidays to deliver a letter in support of keeping Māori wards to parliament. The Whakatane High School student is due to hit the capital on Wednesday but the PM has declined to meet him when he arrives. He has been on the road with his letter for eleven days now, but it is not his first time - delivering a petition in support of Māori wards to the steps parliament when he was 10. Jack Karetai Barret spoke to Lisa Owen.

An apparent typo could have cost a North Island council $20 million in lost revenue. At a meeting last month, the New Plymouth District Council passed a resolution saying rates figures in its annual plan were inclusive of GST, when they were in fact exclusive of it. Now it has had to quickly correct the error and apologise to ratepayers. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin reports.

The Commerce Commission has sent a warning to Foodstuffs North Island for 'uncooperative and unreasonable' behaviour towards a supplier.

Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp has been laid to rest today on the grounds of a small church at Opaea Marae among the rolling hills of Taihape, in the central North Island. The Tāmaki Makaurau MP died suddenly last week after battling kidney disease. Māori News Journalist Pokere Paewai reports.