Podcasts about Northland

As regular listeners will know, we like a cold call here on Afternoons, we've ticked off all the iSite centres around the country, and now we're embarking on other places that help turn towns and cities into communities. When Jesse was driving in Northland recently, he really enjoyed listening to the iwi radio station Ngati Hine, so he decided to give morning host Phoenix a call.

Kennedy joins Nine to Noon from the windswept Northland coast. He's been exploring the Whananaki Track, which runs between Whananaki (a coastal settlement opposite the Poor Knights Islands) and Sandy Bay, part of the Tutukaka Coast.

In this episode of The ROCC Pod, we sit down with Matt Traitses, General Manager, and Chris Downs, HVAC Manager at Cregger Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, and Electrical. With summer in full swing, we focus on home comfort, efficiency, and cost savings through HVAC upgrades and maintenance. Chris breaks down how federal tax credits and utility rebates can save homeowners over $2,000 when replacing outdated systems, thanks to incentives like $600 tax credits for furnaces and air conditioners, and rebates from gas and electric companies. These savings are immediate and impactful, especially for those living in older homes with lower efficiency units.We dive into safety as a top priority, particularly the risks of carbon monoxide from improperly maintained furnaces. Chris emphasizes regular maintenance—including annual tune-ups and filter changes—to protect both the system's longevity and the home's air quality. He also discusses add-ons like UV lights and air purifiers that actively kill bacteria and viruses in the air.The conversation shifts to the importance of proper system installation. While many homeowners obsess over brands, Chris reminds us that installation quality matters more than the brand name. An incorrectly sized or poorly installed unit leads to inefficiency, noise, and higher long-term costs. Sizing the unit correctly through load calculations ensures better performance and comfort.We also hear about Chris's unique journey from owning a cattle and crop farm to managing HVAC sales and system design. His career transition led him to a leadership role at Cregger, where he now mentors technicians and helps expand their HVAC services. Matt notes that Chris is the company's first-ever HVAC Manager, brought in during a period of strategic growth.Cregger's recent involvement with the Royal Oak Chamber is also discussed. They've joined community events like the Summer Concert Series and Halloween festivities, with plans to donate an HVAC system to a local veteran in need. Community service remains a cornerstone of their mission, from food banks to supporting animal shelters.As the episode wraps, we ask our signature “fishbowl” questions. Chris shares his one regret—wishing he'd entered the trades earlier—and Matt reflects on reviving a Greek family tradition involving a New Year's dish and a lucky coin.  Learn more about the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce: https://www.royaloakchamber.com/Connect with our hosts:Jon Gay from JAG in Detroit Podcasts - http://www.jagindetroit.com/Lisa Bibbee from Century 21 Northland - http://soldbylisab.com/

Northland business leaders say the region's economy can grow six-fold by 2050, boosting incomes and the wider economy. 

A charity in Northland has bought a 16 metre catamaran which it is refitting to make it fully accessible for people with disabilities.

A huge jump in the number of people sleeping rough and living without shelter has the Government conceding "it's clear we have a real problem". The report shows that in the eight months to May this year, Auckland has seen a 90% in people sleeping rough on the streets, in their cars or in parks. There have been significant inreases in other regions too, notably Christchurch, Wellington, Northland and Taranaki. Auckland City Missioner Helen Robinson spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

In this episode of Talking Dairy, we're talking about pasture – the foundation of New Zealand farming.Farmers in the upper North Island have been noticing changes for a while now: pastures that don't last as long, more pests, and weather that's harder to predict. These challenges are backed up by DairyNZ data that shows pasture growth in Northland and Waikato has dropped by up to one tonne of dry matter per hectare each decade.To help solve this problem, a new sector-wide research initiative led by DairyNZ was launched in June 2025 - called Resilient Pastures. The goal? Work with farmers to find tools and practical solutions for pasture species, seed mixes, and management practices that can stand up to these changes now and into the future. And for these solutions to be able to be adopted on all types of farms around the country.Host Jac McGowan talks to Senior Scientist Dr Elena Minnee from DairyNZ and Jim Inglis from research partner Beef + Lamb NZ Strategy and Operations about:Why this programme exists and why it's starting in the NorthThe challenges farmers are facingHow research, farmer experience and government funding are working togetherWhat the programme will do for farmers over the next seven yearsHow the results will save costs and add value wherever you farm in New ZealandThe discussion highlights the significance of pasture in New Zealand's farming systems and the collaborative efforts to ensure sustainable and profitable farming practices.To learn more about the Resilient Pastures research programme, visit Resilient Pastures Programme | DairyNZ Funding partnersMinistry for Primary Industries, through the Primary Sector Growth FundDairyNZBeef+Lamb New ZealandTR Ellet Agricultural Research TrustBarenbrugFonterraHine Rangi TrustNorthland Dairy Development TrustHave feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Follow DairyNZ on socials for the latest updates: FacebookInstagramLinkedIn

Dara from Northland shares her story of a missing puzzle piece and some divine intervention.

There's no doubt the news that the number of people on a benefit in New Zealand is up to the 400,000 mark will have some people tut-tutting. But before we start ripping into the so-called “benefit bludgers”, we need to be very careful. Because at the same time that we're finding out that benefit numbers are up —and the number of people on the dole in particular— 10% compared to last year, we're also hearing about people over-50 being knocked back time-and-time again when all they're doing is just trying to find work. So the number of people on the Jobseeker benefit is up right around the country. The biggest increase has been in Northland but overall, there are 216,000 people on the dole. Which is just over half the overall number of beneficiaries. That's with 81,000 people off a benefit and into work thanks to moves made by the Government, which had former WINZ boss Christine Rankin all excited when she was on Newstalk ZB this morning. Social Development Minister Louise Upston also said this morning that thousands of jobs are on the way with the big infrastructure projects in the pipeline. Which is all very well, but not everyone works in construction. And the prospect of these big projects coming online won't provide any reassurance to the over-50s who are over the hill in the eyes of many employers. Which is why we shouldn't make assumptions that everyone on the Jobseeker benefit is not in the least bit interested in working. Because there are plenty of people —thousands of people we're being told today— who desperately want to work but can't because of their age. Or, more to the point, they desperately want to work but can't because some employers are only interested in hiring younger people. The founder of a website for people over-50 seeking work has been saying this week that thousands of people have contacted them with stories of being sidelined just because of their age. Ian Fraser is the founder of the Seniors at Work website, and he says employers need to change their thinking about these so-called older workers. For example, he says not everyone over-50 struggles with technology. He says that excuse comes up all the time. Not that that's what comes through in the rejection letter – if you do get a rejection letter. Then there's the old line about being over-qualified. But we're not talking here about people all that long in the tooth, we're talking about people my age. I'm in quite a privileged position of having a job for the next two years. All going well, that is. Providing I don't completely blow it. I've got a contract that says, “we want you for the next two years”. But I'm as aware as the next person that, when contracts expire, that can be it. Which means in two years time I could very well be joining these thousands of people in their 50's who are finding it impossible to get work because employers aren't interested in them because of their age. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 New Zealand champion Toa Henderson from Northland and Te Kuiti's Jack Fagan are competing in a three-test shearing series this weekend. 

Of the 500 homes still without electricity, most are in the Kaipara Harbour Coastal settlement of Tinopai. Northpower chief operating officer Mike Gibbs spoke to Corin Dann.

Severe gales in Northland in the past 12 hours have downed trees and powerlines leaving hundreds of households without power. Local resident Brigid Roberts spoke to Corin Dann.

Severe gales caused havoc in Northland on Thursday night with downed trees taking out powerlines and leaving hundreds of homes without power. Reporter Natalie Akoorie spoke to Corin Dann.

In this episode from the DMM Connect gathering in Northland, NZ, Keith and Joy share their journey from serving as missionaries in Thailand to how God called them to continue living on mission back home in New Zealand. They unpack how they have been able to live missionally in their own context using simple, reproducible tools. Learning to have Spiritual Conversations (Four Quadrants) A key turning point was learning how to have spiritual conversations using the Four Quadrants (casual → meaningful → spiritual → discovery). This changed how they connected with people in their local community. Joy reflects on John 4—Jesus' conversation with the woman at the well—and how He took this Samaritan woman on a spiritual journey as a person of peace to her community. Likewise, Keith and Joy have seen everyday people (like 'Ruth', a young woman from a local market) discover Jesus and share Him with others. Jesus' strategy when sending out his disciples Keith emphasises how engaging in the harvest as key to transformation—shifting from theory to practice, from "come" to "go." We listen in as the room explores these 4 scriptures where Jesus sends His disciples out: Mark 6:7–13 Luke 9:1–6 Matthew 9:36–10:16 Luke 10:1–11 These passages show that Jesus had compassion on the lost and taught His followers to beseech (or beg) God for workers—not for the harvest itself (which is already plentiful), but for more harvesters. It's a key strategy of prayer that Jesus gave twice in the gospels. We know the Lords Prayer but this is another prayer Jesus commanded his disciples to pray. Keith reflects on Matthew 9:35-38... “We've all prayed for the harvest. But in a way, this is the wrong way to pray. Jesus is telling us the harvest is already great. What we're imploring Him for is the workers. It's like Jesus is healing the sick and then steps back and looks at the large crowd and realises that a different approach is needed… Even Jesus realised that it couldn't be a one-man show. He needed a team to do what He did.” In the group discussion, we hear reflections on how traditional models often extract people from their communities to come to church. But Jesus modeled something different: staying with those who welcome you. Like the woman at the well, insiders can reach their whole communities more effectively than outsiders can. A final challenge "In a culture of ‘come,' we've made the lost person into the missionary (they have to leave their comfort zone to come to church). But ‘come' is the enemy of ‘go,' and addition is the enemy of multiplication.” – Raj (quoting those like Jim Britts)

Alarming figures show most Tai Tokerau/Northland and South Auckland teenagers who sat NCEA literacy and numeracy tests in May failed. Education correspondent John Gerritsen spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Just how well served or poorly served are we by the engineering and the design of our roads? Residents of Waiuku are reeling after a crash yesterday that has left an adult and two children dead. Some locals say they've been calling for safety measures to be introduced on Masters Rd, known as ‘roller coaster road', for years. One poor man who was first on the scene yesterday lost his best mate on the same road two years ago and says he fears for his life every time he turns out of his driveway. He said if they could start focusing those speed cameras on actual known death trap sites, like Masters Rd, instead of on random corners or at the bottom of pretty safe downhills where they're just revenue gathering —please could they put those cameras where it would save people's lives instead of just collecting the tax?— “that would be a great start”. We need them on this road. He described the area where the crash occurred as being akin to an old school BMX jump. I received an email a couple of days ago from a woman whose friend had his house destroyed in May by a speeding driver in a stolen car. She said she'd spoken at a Whangarei Council meeting to plead for barriers to stop this happening again, but they've refused to fund it, despite the fact that 10 years ago the same house was totalled and had to be rebuilt because the same thing had happened. And pleas from that owner to put barriers were ignored then too. Franklin's Whitford-Maraetai Rd has seen crashes every month. Locals say it's a regular traumatic experience to drive the roads, despite efforts from Auckland Council to improve it. There's been road widening along parts of the stretch, resurfacing of some of the bends in asphalt, and it's reduced the number of accidents there, but locals say they still expect to hear that awful sound of metal crunching every time there's rain. What is a dangerous road? It's very subjective, but one indicator is a high number of fatal or serious crashes over an extended period of time. If you look at Old North Road in Waimauku, from 2014-2019 there were 13 deaths and serious injuries in five years. State Highway 2 from Katikati to Tauranga, one of the highest risk roads in the Bay of Plenty: between 2009-2018, 27 people were killed and 77 seriously injured. In response to that, speed limits were lowered in a number of places, and then flexible wire rope median barriers were put in on sections of State Highway 2 South of Katikati. But you'll remember we've had people phoning in about those because they say it's impossible to turn into side streets – it makes residents lives a misery having to drive for kilometres before they can turn around. So yes, it might stop cars from crashing into one another on a dangerous stretch of road, but it also means risky behaviour from those who are looking to avoid travelling many kilometres just to turn around and come back again. State Highway 1 from Kawakawa to Springs Flat, Northland: 14 deaths, 41 serious injuries from 2012-2016. There is the factor of people not wearing a seat belt, that causes deaths, where they've been drinking or drug impaired, of course that comes into play, but at the same time, there are stretches of road that New Zealanders drive that are completely and utterly unforgiving. You make one small mistake, and humans do, a moment of distraction, one small mistake, and the consequences are absolutely devastating because the roads are unforgiving. Many of them are still the goat tracks that they once were. Just had a bit of metal put on them and call them a highway. At what point do you get a road engineered? And again, it probably comes back to the resource management and the RMA and the problems we have with getting permission to reconfigure roads around the country. You would think though, in the case of the woman who emailed me, that putting a barrier up on the corner to stop a car leaving the road and barrelling into a house for the third time - surely a barrier fence wouldn't be a huge cost to ratepayers of Whangarei? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Significant pressure at Auckland's major hospitals this winter is being felt across almost all the different parts of the health system, including at general practice, private urgent care and in the community. The pressure is becoming so great GPs have said they are overwhelmed by the sheer number of people with winter sicknesses. One nurse said the system is so stretched she is seeing sick patients discharged into the community before they're ready. Today Health NZ said the city's public hospitals are at their "upper limit", with many turning up at emergency departments with repiratory illnesses, but said it is not turning patients away in Auckland and Northland. Lucy Xia reports.

Holiday-makers in the Far North are counting their lucky stars after what locals are describing as a twister ripped through their campground, damaging campervans and destroying a caravan. A 79-year-old man was injured when his campervan tipped onto its side and witnesses say if the caravan's occupant had been in at the time we'd likely be dealing with a tragedy. Peter de Graaf reports from a shaken but relieved Tauranga Bay.

The second phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into New Zealand's Covid-19 response, got underway this week in Auckland. The first phase was last year when Commissioners concluded that vaccine mandates were "reasonable" but were applied "more broadly than envisaged". RNZ reporter Victor Waters speaks to Mihingarangi Forbes about what came out of this week's discussions which focused on Auckland and Northland.

Tonight on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Paula Penfold and Allan Blackman. They cross first to Nelson where a red rain warning is in place and to Northland. Then they're joined by RespectED Aotearoa chief executive Anita Lowry to discuss the frequency of sexual harrassment incidents in the public service.

In episode 100 of The ROCC Pod, we celebrate a major milestone by revisiting some of our most memorable and impactful moments from the past five and a half (!) years. We kick things off by honoring the co-hosts who helped launch the show, Andrea Arndt and Trish Carruth, and by thanking the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce and its leaders for their continued support.From there, we relive powerful moments of resilience and entrepreneurship. Mo and Erin of Home Turf Gym share the emotional journey of opening their dream gym, while Siri from Kacha Thai Market explains how she brought authentic Thai cuisine to our community. Jill Gleba (from Episode 1) helps us rethink money as a tool for freedom, not fear. And Jill Plamper at Distinctive Framing inspires with her creativity—turning a wedding gown into a custom art piece.We hear marketing wisdom from Davaughnu Banks, who reminds us that knowing your brand internally is essential before taking it to the world. Terry Poduska walks us through the legacy of the Royal Oak Women's Club and their historical contributions to the city. We also reflect on our shared love for pets, with touching stories from Jennifer McCallum of Firefly Pet Photography and Jill Valuet of Radiant Paws, who helped rejuvenate a senior dog's life with massage therapy.Kurt Pfister offers a peek behind the curtain of Michigan's rock history with his work printing for Bob Seger and others, while Jordan Burns gives us relationship advice by advocating for “overnight dating” to keep the spark alive with his wife. Christine Scott's grit in becoming a licensed plumber after her husband's illness shows us what determination really looks like. Lindsay Madison's yoga journey, inspired by her mother's lung cancer recovery, reveals how inclusivity can reshape wellness spaces.We're deeply moved by Bryce Sherman's story of surviving a traumatic brain injury, defying all odds, and coming back stronger for his family. And Paige Robnett reframes DEI as a “rising tide” that benefits everyone, using powerful example. These were originally intended for specific groups—that now help all of us.Finally, we end with laughter, thanks to Matthew Stransky's unforgettable story of walking in on a naked homeowner during a showing—a reminder of the unpredictable realities of real estate.Through 100 episodes, we've spotlighted grit, growth, community, and humor. To all our guests and listeners—thank you. If you're a Royal Oak Chamber member and haven't yet been on the show, we want to hear your story next.  Lisa and Jon's contact info is below.Chapters:(00:00:00) - Welcome to Episode 100(00:01:23) - The Dream Behind Home Turf Gym(00:03:00) - Authentic Thai Cuisine with Siri(00:04:06) - Redefining Money with Jill Gleba(00:05:24) - Creative Framing with Jill Plamper(00:07:06) - Building a Brand with Davaughnu Banks(00:08:45) - Legacy of the Royal Oak Women's Club(00:10:20) - Firefly Pet Photography's Origin Story(00:12:38) - Pet Massage Success with Radiant Paws(00:13:46) - Kurt Pfister's Rock & Roll Print Shop(00:14:56) - “Overnight Dating” with Jordan Burns(00:16:09) - Plumbing Against the Odds with Christine Scott(00:17:27) - Making Yoga Inclusive with Lindsay Madison(00:18:27) - Bryce Sherman's Recovery Journey(00:21:22) - The Truth About DEI with Paige Robnett(00:24:10) - Naked Encounters in Real Estate(00:26:20) - Final Thanks and Reflections Learn more about the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce: https://www.royaloakchamber.com/Connect with our hosts:Jon Gay from JAG in Detroit Podcasts - http://www.jagindetroit.com/Lisa Bibbee from Century 21 Northland - http://soldbylisab.com/

Tonight on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Ed Amon and Nalini Baruch. They begin in Northland where trials in court are set down as far in advance as October 2027, due to a lack of resource and an increase in crime. Then they head round to a range regions for a discussion on the best place to live.

Kitsap Rifle and Revolver Club v. Northland Insurance Company

Northland's business community says Auckland was one of the region's biggest obstacles during the Covid-19 pandemic. Felix Walton reports.

   We begin with our Song of the Year today and you may remember this version from the Chiefs Super Bowl pregame when KC beat the Eagles.    Wednesday I was given a private tour of the location, amenities and plans for a new Royals ballpark in the Northland.  Much of it is off the record still... but I've got plenty of details for you about the best place for the Royals to play.    A Shawnee man, with the help of his parents coaching him, has qualified for the 4th of July Hot Dog eating contest on ESPN2 against Joey Chestnut.    A stunning CNN poll shows that young Democrats hate Jews and love Palestine.  Columbia University is hacked in the funniest way possible and it involves President Trump.    And Ted Lasso is setting up shop in KC for the new season everyone said would never happen.... except for one humble podcast host who guaranteed it two years ago.

Peter de Graaf is a RNZ Northland reporter based in Kerikeri.

Tonight on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Nicky Pellegrino and Leonie Freeman. The Panel discusses the surge in hardship withdrawals of Kiwisavers in Northland, and the climate-driven rise in intense weather bombs.

An invasive spider with a nasty bite is spreading its population across New Zealand - prompting warnings from experts. The noble false widow spider has been spotted in Christchurch, Nelson, Northland and Waikato. Massey University evolutionary ecology professor, Steven Trewick, says their bite is unlikely to kill you - but it's harmful if left untreated. "Like most spiders, they're not going to bite you because they're not interested in you...but they do have some toxins that are similar to the toxins black widows and redbacks have." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey Snappety Snappers, today I chat with Carla Mitchell, who is a super talented photographer from Queenstown. She spends most of the year shooting amazing help-elopments, and also has a Photo Booth company, The Photobooth. She is now setting up Slay my Day; NZ's newest wedding and events platform, bringing together vendors and connecting them with couples looking for the perfect match! Slay My Day has a free signup period for vendors, which is valid until the 30th of June 2025 (although if you say you heard it here, let them know and they can extend it a few days).- - - - - - - - - Your host: Greg is based in Northland, New ZealandHis guest:Carla is base in Queenstown, New ZealandSponsors: Studio Ninja - SNAPPENING50 - 50% off first year Queensberry - SNAPPENING19 - 40% off Workspace Make it Snappen!

Far North foodies are celebrating a big win at the nation's top hospitality awards. Northland reporter Peter de Graaf checks out the mood, and the menu, in Kaitaia's Peekaboo Backyard Eatery.

The One Roof Velocity house value index has revealed a drop in property value across the country. Major cities like Auckland, Wellington and Hamilton have all experienced drops. However, more rural areas such as Southland, Canterbury and Northland have all seen a rise. CEO of real estate at Velocity Helen O'Sullivan told Mike Hosking that although the prices have dropped, the real estate market is still healthy. She said ‘Volumes are a key indicator, and we're seeing those pick up' LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Speaker of the house is being taken to the High Court for musical torture during the 2022 anti-mandate protest. A girl from Northland, who was 11 at the time, says Mallard weaponised songs like Disney's Let it Go - causing mental anguish, humiliation and de-humanisation. Her lawyer, Tudor Clee says blasting someone with music is a military-style torture technique. He says this is the first time this technique has been intentionally used on children. The girl is seeking 40 thousand dollars in damages.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anna Scott & Jerr Nelson are proud MUFON members who are involved with the UFO Reporting Group in North Dakota and Northern Minnesota. Together they shared some of their most recent and highlighted reports on UFO sightings and encounters through out their areas.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spaced-out-radio--1657874/support.

Simply put, music is a huge deal in the Northland, where we are charmed with several music centers to help us scratch our creative itch. There's no doubt that one of the most special - and historic - is the Sacred Heart Music Center, a prominent music venue in Duluth's Central Hillside neighborhood that is as stunning as it is significant. A community cornerstone for more than a century, this building dates back to 1896, constructed as the Sacred Heart Cathedral during times of urban renewal in the area. It's undergone many changes over the years, and today stands tall, as a 400-seat live music venue with renowned acoustics showcasing music of regional, national and international artists around the clock. This remarkable space is fit with an incredible recording studio, a famous Felgemaker organ and the distinction of being one of just three neo-Gothic churches with three towers unique to Northern Minnesota - and that's just the beginning. Today, Mark Nicklawske, a member on the Board of Directors for the Sacred Heart Music Center, is here to get us AMPED about this life-changing space.

Doctors in Northland are blaming a massive increase in wait times for colonoscopies in the last six months on Health NZ's decision to cut pay rates for locums. Ruth Hill reports.

Is Shane Jones showing the Minister for Treaty Negotiations Paul Goldsmith how to run his own portfolio? In response to Jones and his Member's bill on the never ending Ngāpuhi drama, Goldsmith says the process can't go on forever. Which is the same as saying nothing, because clearly it is, and Goldsmith clearly has no plan. The Jones bill is clever because my sense of it is there is so much infighting in the north of the country, they will, out of bloody mindedness, never strike a deal. All the logic we heard yesterday about tribes that have cut deals and invested billions and seen the endless benefits will have missed their mark in Northland, given a lot of Ngāpuhi aren't interested in a deal. They thrive on dissent and division and permanent anger and grievance. Jim Bolger, who I note in the past few weeks as he celebrated his 90th is still prone to the odd piece of public commentary, might like to have pondered his own role in this many, many years ago when they started to put up a few road markers around timeframes. The idea was they would set a date to file your claim, remembering even in Bolger's day the Waitangi Tribunal had been going since the 70's, and once you filed, they would impose another deadline to get it all wrapped up. Good idea, but it went nowhere because Bolger and Co. got sucked into the idea that this was unfair, it was rushed, and it was history. What wasn't said out loud was this was a gravy train that could go literally forever, and people were going to make a living off it. As Jones revealed yesterday, we've spent $20 million for Ngāpuhi alone, just for lunch and chats and airfares. You have to remember 1975 was a goodwill gesture. The tribunal and the settlement of grievances was entered into not because anyone had to, but because it was the right thing to do. It was driven by goodwill. I would have thought it was fairly obvious in the vast array of deals to be done and apologies to be made, like life, that some would embrace it and run with it and some would be unable to get out of their own way. What was needed but was missing, and still is (Jones aside), was leadership. We needed boundaries set and an explanation of the rules and expectations. And because that was missing, so is $20 million on lunch, and still no deal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beth Hill's creative passion turned into starting Taco Bandit, which serves up bold fusion-style tacos in Northland. 

If you're looking for something to do to pass the winter blues by, look no further than the Brew of Islands Festival taking place next weekend in Kerikeri. 

NEWS WEAKLY 164 – 21st JUNE 2025Hi, did you know you can support News Weakly by giving it a 5-star rating and review in the Podcast app? You can also join my Patreon, where you'll find the ad-free version of every episode along with the entire script formatted as a newsletter—plus you get short stories and updates on upcoming shows! So support free-range, cruelty-free news satire over at patreon.com/samishah.TOP STORIES OF THE WEEKDestruction in Tel Aviv! Tehran! Preston?Also, the Mad Bastard Theory of International Relations!And, if everyone has a nuke then no one has a nuke!All that, and more, on NEWS WEAKLY.Quote of the Week"Northland is no longer a shopping centre. It's an immersive theatre experience in chaos. A Westfield-themed dystopia." – Sami ShahClosing CreditsSami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.For more: http://thesamishah.comTheme music "Historic Anticipation" by Paul MottramThis podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hi guys! Today I have a lovely chat with Martin Ellard from Wales! Martin is well known for his reportage / documentary style and we chat in detail about how that was forged. He has quite an interesting photographic journey and unlike a lot of other wedding photographers - has almost never had another job outside of the photographic industry!Your host: Greg is based in Northland, New ZealandHis guest:Martin is based in Swansea, WalesSponsors: Studio Ninja - SNAPPENING50 - 50% off first year Queensberry - SNAPPENING19 - 40% off Workspace Make it Snappen!

So far in 2025 Northland's been battered by record-breaking rain, a cyclone and even a tornado. But the region has also had to contend with a long-running drought, and nowhere was that more keenly felt than in Dargaville. Peter de Graaf reports from the nation's kumara capital.

A commissioner will be appointed to run Northland's Dargaville High School after a damning assessment by the Education Review Office found fewer than half of its students are regularly attending school, with the same number failing NCEA level one. RNZ's Troy Matich has more.

A group of kapa haka novices are planning to celebrate Matariki this weekend with their first public show. Northland reporter Peter de Graaf has more.

Any time it rains heavily in Northland, residents of Moerewa brace for flooding. The small town has gone underwater in recent years more times than they'd care to remember. But now the flood-weary residents finally have reasons to be hopeful about the future. Peter de Graaf reports.

A senior doctor has claimed patients are being treated in cupboards, offices and tearooms as Whangarei hospital bursts at the seams. This comes ahead of a public meeting at Forum North in Whangarei to discuss the state of healthcare in Northland. Checkpoint has been told in the last fortnight there's been several examples of patients being put in makeshift beds or wards at Whangarei Hospital. Dr Marion Leighton works in General Medicine at Whangarei Hospital and will be at the meeting, she spoke to Lisa Owen.

Doctors and dentists in Northland are on strike from 10 Wednesday morning. Whangarei Emergency doctor Gary Payinda spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

From 10 on Wednesday morning senior medical and dental officers in Northland will go on strike for 24 hours. Health New Zealand Chief Clinical Officer Dr Richard Sullivan spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

In today's episode, Health New Zealand has been directed to give private hospitals 10-year outsourcing contracts to perform elective surgeries, Wednesday marks day five of the conflict between Israel and Iran and there's still no talk of a ceasefire, the blaze at New World Victoria Park has been extinguished while five Fire and Emergency crews remained on Tuesday night to deal with hotspots, and from 10 on Wednesday morning senior medical and dental officers in Northland will go on strike for 24 hours.

Drought, record-breaking rainfall, a cyclone and even a tornado - Northlanders have seen it all in 2025. Peter de Graaf reports.

Hey hey hey, today I speak with Sarah Clements (aka Sarah Yesberg) who is a wedding photographer from the South Island of New Zealand. She's gone through quite the journey of building a very successful brand, then scaling back to start a family, to now building it back up again! Sarah has lots of industry insights which I'm sure you'll enjoy listening too as well.- - - - - - - - - Your host: Greg is based in Northland, New ZealandHis guest:Sarah is base in Christchurch, New ZealandSponsors: Studio Ninja - SNAPPENING50 - 50% off first year Queensberry - SNAPPENING19 - 40% off Workspace Make it Snappen!