Podcasts about North Island

South Island wildlife tourism businesses say they're not panicking, but they are prepared for bird flu to spread. A second case of the deadly H5N1 strain has been confirmed in the North Island. One Dunedin operator is worried bird flu could wipe out one of the country's taonga species that is already on the brink. Tourism reporter Tess Brunton has more.

Yet again, the South Island is taking a back seat to the North Island. With Transport Minister Chris Bishop announcing that the Government had done a re-think on all the new roads it promised before the last election. And for us here in the South Island, that means none of the ones we were promised going ahead anytime soon - including the much-anticipated Woodend Bypass. More than 20,000 vehicles go through Woodend every day and local residents, the council and MP Matt Doocey have been fighting for years for a bypass to divert traffic away from the township. This has been going on for 20-odd years, or so. But the Government says there's no more money for the project. Other than what's already been approved for design work, land purchases and some early works. But there's no money for actual construction of the road and, therefore, no start date. And I wouldn't put money on it happening anytime soon. Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon isn't taking no for an answer. And he's demanding answers from Wellington. But good luck Dan. Because what you're fighting here is bigger than just the Woodend Bypass. What Dan Gordon and the rest of us are fighting is the fact that the South Island has always and will always take a back seat to the North Island. And, despite what any politician from any political party says, the South Island will always play second fiddle. And that's exactly what we're seeing here. The Woodend Bypass is effectively on ice. The same with the only other major South Island road promised at the last election - the Hope Bypass, in the Nelson-Tasman area. As someone was pointing out over the weekend, the Roads of National Significance have become the Roads of North Island Significance. And it's not just a Woodend thing. Just look south of Christchurch for another roading example of the South Island playing second fiddle. Someone was telling me this morning that it took them two hours to get from just south of Ashburton to Christchurch last night. Another traveller heading home after the long weekend told me they had similar issues on that stretch of road last night. With the average speed between Ashburton and Christchurch about 60 kilometres per hour. There may have been a crash somewhere. But it just reinforces how hopeless that stretch of road is. And is another example of how happy Wellington is to dish out the lip service to the South Island, but that's all.I've never been a “cut the cable” kind of guy. Because that sort of stuff is way too parochial for me. But, at the same time, I can't ignore the fact that our political parties - when they're in government and when they're out of government - don't care as much about the South Island as they do about the North Island. And this announcement about the Woodend Bypass going nowhere anytime soon is just another example. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Mills is joined for the business panel this week by two owners of successful businesses, Helen Turnbull, head chef and owner at Michelin recognised 50/50 and Deanne Milldove, co-founder and owner of Orizen Tyres, which has 8 branches across the lower North Island. Both owners are Paraparaumu based, they share how doing business out on the Kāpiti Coast differs from the CBD. What makes the Kāpiti community better to do business in? With more expansion on the way for Milldove and global recognition and award success for Turnbull, Nick finds out their secret to success and what it takes to build a growing business in this economy. Milldove and Turnbull also discuss the biggest challenges in business right now including the cost of living - prompting Turnbull to make her own butter. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The wild weather has jumped the Cook Strait with a large swathe of the North Island in for a drenching. Orange heavy rain warnings are in place for Wairarapa and the eastern hills of Wellington, as well as a number of other eastern areas of the North Island. Reporter Mary Argue spoke to Lisa Owen from Martinborough.

Torrential rain and galeforce winds continues to lash the lower North Island. A heavy rain warning remains in place further north in the Tararua District and parts of the central North Island. It has been lifted for Wairarapa but rivers rose again last night and all bridges into into Martinborough in South Wairarapa are closed for the second time in 24 hours. Reporter Mary Argue spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Residents of a lower North Island retirement village lost their first battle to stop the speed limit on the highway outside their gate returning to 100km/h. But Speldhurst Country Estate near Levin has now won the war with transport officials confirming a drop back to 80km/h. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

An outbreak of a highly contagious horse disease is spreading among thoroughbreds in the North Island , raising concerns about exports. Strangles is a serious bacterial infection for horses, ponies and donkeys that causes a fever and painful abscesses in the throat. The disease has been confirmed on a dozen stud farms - all but one are in Waikato and the horses have been isolated to prevent it spreading further. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing general manager of welfare Sam Fursdon joins Lisa Owen on Checkpoint.

NZTR General Manager of Racing Mitch Lamb joins the show to talk about the outbreak of strangles in the North Island, what the disease does, how it effects the racing, what can be done about it & more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A newly formed group is aiming to look after the future of New Zealand's organic industry. Young Organic Growers Aotearoa is targeting organic growers aged 40 and under, and already it has seventy members including market gardeners, viticulturists, orchard growers, and dairy farmers. The group's first event sold out, with people travelling from all over the North Island to be part of it. Chair of the group, Alex Morrisey chats to Emile. [picture id="4JM2K2K_IMG_4703_jpeg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

Thinking of buying a business? Speak with Phil first: https://nextadvisory.nz/buying-a-business/Today we break down the stark economic divide between the buzzing South Island and sluggish North Island.If you're a business owner wondering why everything feels harder up north, this episode will either confirm your suspicions or challenge you to stop making excuses and go find the money.If you're interested in working together:Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nzLet's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/

Grounded flights, ferocious winds, trees down, slips and flooding. Wellington and Taranaki are being hit with terrible weather this evening. Severe weather warnings have been issued across the North Island, and thousands of homes are without power. Anya Fielding reports.

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Sixty percent of the respondents to a recent Angus Reid poll said the province is on the wrong track. If there were an election today, they gave the Conservatives an 11-point lead. This is similar to what 338Canada's projections have been showing for the past month. Yet nearly 90% of the poll's respondents also said they know little or nothing about the new BC Conservative leader, Kerry-Lynne Findlay. In this morning's interview, we discuss these matters with Anna Kindy—MLA for North Island—and also play a clip from Kerry-Lynne Findlay's Twitter feed. Cortes Currents: Firstly, what do you think of the BC Conservative Party's recent surge in the polls?  Anna Kindy: "Well, it doesn't surprise me, to be honest, because we've been going in the wrong direction for a long time. When you're looking at the fiscal mess that we're in as a province right now, Premier Eby came in with a surplus, when he became premier, and here we are with $13.3 billion of deficit this year." Cortes Currents: She is referring to the province's operating deficits. According to the Vancouver Sun, “When Premier David Eby took over in 2022, B.C. was on track to post a $5.7 billion surplus for the 2022–23 fiscal year.” Instead, the government spent that money trying to address problems like the housing crisis, homelessness, and the opioid crisis. Since then, Eby's government has consistently prioritized issues like these over the budget. Aside from the two COVID years, B.C.'s previous premier, John Horgan, generally posted balanced budgets. Personally, I'm more concerned about total provincial debt, which is roughly five times larger today than it was in 2001. Under the BC Liberals, it almost doubled—going from about $34 billion in 2001 to around $65 billion by 2017. It has almost tripled under the BC NDP, moving from about $65 billion in 2017 to an anticipated $183 billion this year. Kindy correctly stated that most of the growth under the NDP occurred while David Eby has been premier. This year, the government expects to spend on interest charges. Apologists for government spending point out that provincial revenues have also grown— from $28 billion in 2001 to an anticipated $88 billion this year. Thus, as long as the economy remains strong, BC is in a better position to service a large debt. Comparing the government's expenses to those of a typical homeowner: operating surpluses and deficits are like monthly cash flow, while debt servicing is like a mortgage payment—and total provincial debt is comparable to a mortgage. Anna Kindy: “We're doubling our total deficit, and our interest payment this year alone is over six billion—and that would build a lot of care homes and hospitals and fund a lot of services that we need. That's just the interest. The interest is the third biggest portfolio. “That fiscal mess translates to having to cut back on a lot of things. So I mentioned about care homes being canceled, Burnaby Hospital expansion being canceled. I'm seeing things in the healthcare domain getting worse. The affordability crisis is continuing—in terms of being able to afford your groceries, your rent, getting ahead—especially for young people and seniors. “Even with this budget, seniors were hard hit. Not only with the cancellation of long-term care homes, but you know how seniors can borrow against their home to survive or to live. Now if they borrow against their home, they'll be paying 2% above prime, compounded interest. So that's a lot for seniors. And there are going to be taxes now on landlines—which who has landlines? Seniors do, and you do, and me. We've got a landline too. Yeah, old school - but we're seniors!" “Things are not going in the right direction in a lot of ways, and that's what's being reflected in the polls. There's a healthcare crisis getting worse, an affordability crisis, fiscal mismanagement, and still safety issues.”

It's time for Mayoral minutes, where we speak with a local mayor about the challenges they're facing, how they're working to solve them and what makes their community special. Today we're heading to the Western Bay of Plenty in the North Island - where you'll find Waihi Beach, Katikati, and Te Puke and from where Western Bay of Plenty Mayor James Denyer joins Emile.

In part two, while NZ weighs up election year tax policies being proposed by political parties, Australia's changes to its Capital Gains Tax might have businesses looking across the ditch. Then, get your skates on for the high-speed spectacle sport: Roller Derby. North Island are heading to Rotorua soon for a tournament. Sulphur City Steam Rollers coach Layla Robinson has the details.

Allura Halliwell is not my typical podcast guest. Yes, she experienced a traumatic birth, and yes, she went on to have healing births with her next two children. But what is remarkably unique about Allura's story is the profound spiritual awakening she experienced a number of years after becoming a mother… something that completely altered everything.In this podcast episode Allura speaks about her difficult journey into motherhood. Her baby boy was whisked away to intensive care, and for the couple of hours that followed, she was unsure whether her boy had survived. After 10 days in NICU she was finally able to take her baby home, but isolation and depression ensued for Allura, and her son's unsettledness signalled his own trauma.Fast forward to when her children were 8, 6 and 4 years old, Allura went on a life changing meditation retreat. It was here that she experienced her transformational awakening - one where she left her body for over an hour, and re-entered this physical plane as an unrecognisable version of herself. Through this, Allura shifted from a stay-at-home mother of three, to a consciousness guide, supporting others to heal core wounds and free themselves from Self-limiting patterns. Tune in to learn more about Allura's remarkable story and how her work enables liberating transformation. She is touring the North Island of New Zealand in July and August, so if you're one of my Kiwi listeners and feel drawn to learn more from Allura, check the show notes for links and offerings.Also discussed in this episode:Choosing a medicalised birth as healingThe baby's experience of birth traumaThe primary need of babies in terms of their own trauma processingLearn more about Allura's work and offerings:The Pattern Shift NZ TourAuckland RetreatThe Consciousness Method™ podcastConnection CallNZ Free meditations

Taking the wool off the sheep's back and turning it into yarn within a few paces of the shearing shed has been a dream come true for a North Island sheep farmer. Patrizia Vieno has built a mini mill on her hill country station near Tinui. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Mel Kiernan and Patrizia VienoGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

After years of struggles, wool prices are reaching heights not seen for three decades. Wool auctions used to be held all over the country, but now most are in Christchurch. However, in Hawke's Bay one wool broker is refusing to leave - a move that's proving successful after fetching the highest price for North Island wool in over 30 years. Hawke's Bay Tairawhiti reporter Alexa Cook has more

"I have always been the big-mouth Māori that says things we're not supposed to say."Corina Shields — better known online as Aunty Heihei (@AuntyHeihei) — returns to Free to Speak to talk with host Dane Giroud about her move from social-media commentary into the producer's chair at Radio Aotearoa, where she now produces "Shubz Says So" with Shubz Live.ABOUT THIS EPISODECorina is a wāhine Māori who built a following by saying the things she believes mainstream and Māori media won't. In this wide-ranging conversation, she and Dane dig into why so many New Zealanders no longer trust the legacy press — and why a wave of citizen journalists and independent broadcasters has risen to fill the gap.They cover her conviction that Te Pāti Māori does not speak for all Māori, the gulf between iwi leadership and the ahikā keeping the home fires burning, and why she argues "racism" has become a lazy label used to shut conversations down rather than have them. Dane brings his own perspective as a Jewish New Zealander on how hate-speech laws can end up silencing the very minorities they claim to protect — by letting the government decide which voices within a community are legitimate.The conversation also turns to a three-week hīkoi across the North Island to communities that rarely get a microphone, the difference between funded and unfunded media, the role of academics versus the people doing the work on the ground, and why Corina decided her voice is more powerful outside Parliament than inside it.A frank conversation about media plurality, hard conversations, and the freedom to disagree.Support the showhttps://www.fsu.nz/https://x.com/NZFreeSpeechhttps://www.instagram.com/freespeechnz/https://www.tiktok.com/@freespeechunionnz

The annual muster of wild horses in the central North Island is underway but there's concern about how many can find new homes.The animals live on Defence Force land near Waiouru and the musters are an important part of keeping the population in check, to protect the alpine environment. Rehoming efforts are proving difficult this year too. Reporter Jimmy Ellingham has more.

Forecasters say bad weather blowing across the North Island is bringing with it a risk of thunderstorms and the possibility of tornadoes. Metservice forecaster and meteorologist John Law spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

One peninsula to the north of the Bay of Islands is home to an estimated three thousand Northland brown kiwi. The Pest Free Purerua-Mataroa project aims to reduce predators numbers on the peninsula and defend its narrow neck from re-invasion. Working across a patchwork of landuse and landowners, the team are using AI traps and technology to help catch the remaining pests. But one feral cat continues to elude them, and the ongoing threat to kiwi from pet dogs is proving tricky to solve. Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.Learn more:Northland kiwi are a genetically distinct subspecies of the North Island brown kiwi, whose numbers are doing pretty good in recent years, due in large part to Operation Nest Egg facilities like the National Kiwi Hatchery.Predator Free South Westland is also working across different land types and usages in their bid to remove pests from a huge area.Wellington is set to be New Zealand's first predator-free city, with an ambitious target of ten years.RNZ's Northland reporter Peter de Graaf has been following the situation of dog attacks on kiwi on the Purerua peninsula and kiwi deaths due to cars.Guests:Andy Mentor, Pest Free PureruaZane Wright, Pest Free PureruaMariao Hohaia, Ngāti Rēhia, Tapuaetahi IncorporationGrace Walsh, Onekura road trappersTiwai Rawiri, Ngāti Torehina, Pēwhairangi WhānuiGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

14-year-old Kirsa Jensen was passionate about animals, especially horses. Living in Napier on New Zealand's North Island, there were many beautiful places to go riding. On September 1st 1983, Kirsa set off on her horse, 'Commodore', for Awatoto beach, a journey of around thirty minutes. Kirsa always came home by 5 pm, but on this day she failed to return. A massive search was soon underway, with several witnesses putting Kirsa in the presence of a man at an old concrete gun emplacement close to the beach. Further sightings followed, and a prime suspect soon emerged. Despite this, over 40 years since she was last seen, Kirsa remains missing.Sources for the episode can be found hereSupport the showFollow  Persons Unknown:  Instagram and FacebookEmail: personsunknownpod@gmail.comWebsite with Transcripts:https://personsunknown.buzzsprout.com/

Chris discusses the businesses fearing for their survival after revaluations led to big commercial rates hikes, the restaurant turning off the lights and cooking with fire to mark World Environment Day, hundreds of cell towers get better back up batteries to protect 111 calls in emergencies and the North Island sheep dog trials kick off.

Cruises are being scaled back further next summer season, with ports already feeling the pinch. Preliminary data released to Newstalk ZB shows the North Island will lose 41 port calls, but they'll rise in the South - up 23. Last season, the number dropped by more than 250. Cruise Association CEO Jacqui Lloyd says there's growth in other parts of the world, but there's plans in place to make New Zealand more attractive to the right clients. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand saw a 6% spending increase in retail last quarter with the South Island overtaking the North, likely due to farming and tourism. Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young told Heather du Plessis-Allan that a jump in pharmaceutical spending can be attributed to the increasing popularity of GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy. "There's certainly high volume of those drugs now being sold, and they're really expensive on a monthly basis. So that just keeps going up and up and up," she said. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Public Service Commissioner on cuts, mergers and AI shift; Wellington Lions player on joining NZ Police force; AI consultancy chief on public sector overhaul and AI use; Sir Graeme Dingle on investing in young people's futures; Rotorua operators fear tourists may skip North Island

Three new non-stop Air New Zealand flights launching later this year will connect Christchurch directly to Perth, Singapore and Tokyo. But will the resurgence of Christchurch see tourists skipping over the North Island to get there? Debbie Robertson, is the general manager of Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa, an iwi-owned, luxury wellness spa on the Rotorua lakefront. Robertson spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

This week we're heading to the Waitomo District, located in the south-western part of the Waikato region in the North Island, from where Mayor John Robertson joins Jesse.

→ Need help sorting out the big picture of your upcoming New Zealand trip? Get my 1-on-1 support with my VACATION BLUEPRINT DESIGN service ← Throughout this New Zealand, Your Way series, the consistent advice has been to keep your itinerary simple and focus on one island. But if visiting both the North and South Island is truly what you want from your trip — this episode is your permission slip. It's your trip, and it's absolutely possible. On this episode, we're breaking down exactly how to get between the two islands, what each option actually looks and feels like on the ground, and what it's going to cost you — so you can weigh the decision clearly and make the right call for your trip. Because if both islands are on your itinerary, figuring out this crossing is one of the most important logistical anchors you'll need to sort out before anything else. Connect w/ Angela on Instagram   LISTEN BACK: Episode 201: My #1 Hack for Taking a Stress-Free Vacation Episode 230: The Perfect Pace for a Multi-Leg Trip Episode 286: Independent Travel Tips to Feel Confident Traveling Abroad

A legend of the sport previews the North Island and New Zealand Sheep Dog Championships coming up later this month (May 25-29) in Hawke’s Bay.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today kākāpō breed on three remote islands, each bird wears a transmitter and they are carefully monitored and minded. But the ultimate goal of the kākāpō recovery programme is to restore the mauri of the kākāpō – to have them back in our forests as wild, nameless birds. What are the steps to get there, and how can science help keep kākāpō safe through this transition? Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.Learn more:Kākāpō need new habitat, could fenced ecosanctuaries be an option? That's why kākāpō were released into Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari in July 2023, to start a trial of how they would do in this new, mainland, North Island habitat. A year later, there had already been a lot of lessons learned.One of the possible future habitats mentioned by Deirdre Vercoe is South Westland, where a massive effort is underway to clear stoats, possums and rats from a huge area.For all the details about this record-breaking breeding season, listen to the Kākāpō Files podcast.Guests:Deirdre Vercoe, Kākāpō and Takahē recovery programme operations manager, Department of ConservationDr Andrew Digby, Kākāpō and Takahē recovery programme science and technical advisor, Department of ConservationGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Just days after they were rounded up off the North Island's central plateau, Kaimanawa horses are in training for their new homes and are warming up to human contact. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

We're not going to lie, there was a lot on the docket this week, and boy did Ali, Andrew, and Matt rip through it. We, the aforementioned, declare that Tamaki is now the distance-running capital of Aotearoa. And also that it is “mad nice” (Friedland, 2026). We charge that big companies should stop doing things that make them look like dicks, and that the Boston thing was sort of okay, and also we wonder if that dude that Jurek helped across the line at Western States ever got a sympathy cougar. READ THE RULES, PEOPLE.Attending to point 1. We salute Messers McLean, Wadams, Steel, Steel, & Steel for their spectacular efforts at the Faultline Miler. Andrew McDowall formally and unreservedly apologizes to Shaun Collins for his complete disregard for Trail Nav events in the North Island. We also discussed the little race in London over the weekend and the Wanaka Ultra. Mad Nice indeed. Dirt Church Radio – Best Enjoyed Running.​--- --- --- Episode Links Sign up for the DCR AidStation newsletter.Dirt Church Radio on InstagramDirt Church Radio on FacebookFurther Faster New ZealandEnjoy!Music by Andrew McDowall, Digicake

An albatross injured in last week's lower North Island storm is due for release off the coast of Napier today and two others hurt in the same wild weather are on the road to recovery. They've rehabilitated at Palmerston North's Wildbase Hospital, where they're treated to a diet of salmon, and swim in an indoor pool. The hospital's manager said the increasing frequency of storms is keeping the service busy. Reporter Jimmy Ellingham paid a visit.

We're working our way through the alphabet to highlight people, places or events that make New Zealand, New Zealand. This week we're at T and have chosen T for Tangiwai - New Zealand's worst railway accident occurred at Tangiwai in the central North Island on 24 December 1953.

This interview is disseminated on behalf of Questcorp Mining. Last month, Questcorp Mining (CSE: QQQ | OTCQB: QQCMF | FSE: D910) announced the commencement of its 2026 induced polarization (IP) survey at its 1,168-hectare North Island Copper Project on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.Founding Director, President, and CEO Saf Dhillon discusses the 2026 IP survey, the importance of geophysical surveys and 3D modeling in mineral exploration, a private placement update, and drilling plans at the La Union Project in Sonora, Mexico.Learn more about Questcorp Mining: https://questcorpmining.ca/Watch the full YouTube interview here: https://youtu.be/pPFwhh3hzzoAnd follow us to stay updated: https://www.youtube.com/GlobalOneMedia 

Householders in many parts of the North Island are in the process of trying to put their homes back to together.

The lower North Island continues to take a battering today, with an orange weather warning still in place for Wellington. More than 150 weather events - things like landslips and flooding - have been reported so far. Flights are cancelled, and schools and council facilities are closed today. In the wake of all this, many are asking why more serious warnings were not issued. Jesse is joined by Dr James Renwick, Professor of Climate Science at Victoria University and former Principal Climate Scientist at NIWA.

In 2010 the Psa-V bacterial disease was found in a Bay of Plenty kiwifruit orchard. This was the beginning of a terrible ordeal for many kiwifruit growers. It devastated crops, resulting in the loss of hundreds of jobs, and hundreds of millions of dollars. But though it spread to some other areas in the North Island, it never made it across the Cook Strait. Claire Concannon learns about the science behind keeping this microbe out of Te Waipounamu. Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.Learn more:The Plant and Food Research (today the Bioeconomy Science Institute) team who worked on science to help with the kiwifruit Psa crisis won the Prime Minister's Science Prize in 2017.In 2012 Alison Ballance reported on the hunt for resistance genes so kiwifruit plants could be more resilient in the face of this bacteria.As In-Depth reporter Farah Hancock detailed earlier this year, 95% of the kiwifruit grown here are actually exported - an earner of $4.5 billion in 2025.Guests:Falk KalamorzRebecca Manners, Bioeconomy Science InstituteDr Ed Morgan, Bioeconomy Science InstituteLeanne Stewart, Kiwifruit Vine HealthGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

People have spent the night out of their homes as downpours continue to hit the lower North Island - with a red heavy rain warning in place. Hutt City Council teams were going door to door on some streets urging people to leave their homes as rain fell last night. A state of emergency has been declared for the Wellington Region. Lower Hutt mayor Fauono Ken Laban spoke to John Campbell

The North Island has been hammered again by a series of severe weather events over the weekend - some with little warning. Lucy Xia reports.

A training facility in the lower North Island could finally be revived and New Zealand's commercial coffee growing industry is also gaining momentum. The latest rural news with Gianina Schwanecke.

It was written by Dorothy Theomin for her cousin Allison Hallenstein - yes, those Hallensteins - during her North Island travels in 1910.  

→ Need help sorting out the big picture of your upcoming New Zealand trip? Get my 1-on-1 support with my VACATION BLUEPRINT DESIGN service ← Planning a trip to New Zealand can feel overwhelming at first—because New Zealand is bigger than it seems, you can't see it all, and you have to narrow it down. Before you can even start building an itinerary, you have to answer one major question: should you focus on the North Island or the South Island? In this episode of the New Zealand, Your Way series, we're talking all about the South Island. I'm walking you through what this island is known for, the types of landscapes and experiences you can expect, and which travel styles tend to love it the most. But even if you decide that the South Island wins over the North Island, the next step is deciding  which regions you should visit. So I'm also talking you through the regions on the South Island and what makes each one unique, helping you start to narrow down what your South Island trip could look like—and which areas might deserve a spot on your itinerary.   Connect w/ Angela on Instagram   LISTEN BACK: Episode 124: The 8 Travel Style Avatars // Which Are You? Episode 151: The Timeline to Your Next Vacation Episode 288: New Zealand, Your Way // 4 Things to Know Before Planning a Trip

"Where are the small fish?" This is a question that routinely comes up when fly fishing for trout in areas of New Zealand. Mike Dawes joins up with Ben Hall and Sean Andrews, two highly experienced New Zealand trout guides, to share some of the highlights of a recent trip to the Taupō region of NZ's North Island. These guys discuss some of the characteristics of South Island and North Island fly fishing, the necessity of team work and strong wading, and the thrill of observing Ben maneuver the helicopter into super narrow and super fishy areas! 

As the North Island braces for Cyclone Vaianu's impact, Chris Brandolino joins us with the latest of what to expect and how to prepare.

We talk to Brent Linn to get an overview of the Hawkes Bay wine region on the North Island of New Zealand.

Weather warnings or watches have been issued for the entire North Island, as Aotearoa braces for the arrival of Cyclone Vaianu. There's an orange heavy rain warning for parts of Northland that kicks in from 9pm Saturday. Some kumara growers are rushing to harvest before the weather hits. Further down the island, Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island currently have the highest level warning, a red strong wind warning from 5am til 6pm on Sunday. Damaging Wind gusts of up to 140km/h are expected Sunday afternoon. MetService Meteorologist John Law spoke to Lisa Owen.

The cyclone is expected to pass over Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty on Sunday before moving over the rest of the North Island. 

→ Need help sorting out the big picture of your upcoming New Zealand trip? Get my 1-on-1 support with my VACATION BLUEPRINT DESIGN service ← New Zealand is one of those destinations where it feels like every corner of the country looks incredible (spoiler: it is!). And that's exactly what makes planning a trip here a little tricky—because you can't explore every little corner. Before you can even start mapping out an itinerary, you need to answer one big question: should you focus on the North Island or the South Island? In this episode of the New Zealand, Your Way series, we're diving into the North Island. I'm walking you through what this island is known for, what kinds of experiences you can expect, and which travel styles tend to love it the most. I'm also introducing the key regions of the North Island and what makes each one unique, helping you start to narrow down the type of trip that might fit you best. Connect w/ Angela on Instagram LISTEN BACK: Episode 124: The 8 Travel Style Avatars // Which Are You? Episode 151: The Timeline to Your Next Vacation Episode 288: New Zealand, Your Way // 4 Things to Know Before Planning a Trip