Podcasts about Queenstown

What does it take to build a global design firm from scratch and then walk away from it at the top of your game? Mia Feasey did exactly that. She launched her international design business at just 24 years old, scaled it across borders, and made the bold decision to exit at 45, not because she had to, but because she chose to. In this episode, Christina's special guest Mia gets refreshingly real about what it actually took: the risks she took before she felt ready, the moments she almost played it safe, and why authenticity became her most powerful business strategy. If you've ever wondered what's waiting for you on the other side of a big leap, or if you're quietly dreaming of your own next chapter, this conversation will light a fire under you. About Mia Mia Feasey is the founder of Siren Design Group, a global design consultancy she built from a single Sydney studio into an international powerhouse with clients like Amazon, Google, Chanel, and Balenciaga. Guided by a people-first philosophy and a refusal to fear failure, she grew the firm over 20 years before making the bold decision to hand over the reins and walk away. Now based in Queenstown, New Zealand, Mia is channeling the same creativity and courage that built her business into redesigning her life — slowing down, reconnecting with her family, and figuring out what truly makes her heart sing. Follow Mia on LinkedIn  If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating  and leave us a comment on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser and Castbox about what you'd like us to talk about that will help you realize that at any moment, any day, you too can decide, it's your turn!  

Ever wanted to cycle the South Island of New Zealand?Rebecca Gross shares an honest update from her time bikepacking the South Island. It was a bikepacking trip shaped by relentless rain and freezing summer temperatures. This led to long days of riding chasing weather windows that would allow for side quests such as hiking around Mount Cook.  From Te Araroa sections and west coast gravel to the high mountains around Mount Cook, the final days of riding saw her and partner Javi ride into Paradise near Queenstown.A must listen if cycling in New Zealand on the South Island is on your own bucket list. Be sure to give Rebecca a follow via her instagram - @Rebecca_Grb EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/STR Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee  Support the showBuy me a coffee! I'm an affiliate for a few brands I genuinely use and recommend including:

1News reporter Jared McCulloch looks at a rise in Queenstown tourism numbers and has an update on alternative transport in the area, as well as Wanaka's impact on the Winter Olympics and a local snail farm.

Andrew and Shelby have returned from their trip to the South Island and they're ready to talk about it. They discuss all of the places they stopped at, as well as the Laneway Music Festival in Auckland. Before that, they Muppets Recast Marty Supreme! It's a fun time.

Episode DescriptionWe kick off 2026 with a proper catch-up after a summer of travel We unpack parenthood, boundaries, and what it actually takes to be present, not just productive.Then we go deeper into intuition and decision-making (especially under pressure), nervous system regulation as the real foundation, and why “how you do it” matters as much as “what you do”. We finish with a big conversation on AI, where it helps, where it subtly erodes creativity and independence, and why the future belongs to people who can stay human, build community, and lead with real presence.

Would you rather be riding epic bike parks in Queenstown, downhill trails in Laguna or sitting in the ER because you can't pee? Jason Schroeder, Lars Sternberg and Shawn Spomer reflect on their last couple of weeks in this episode of Bikes Unaff.......The 9th Street Documentary on YouTube0:00 - Intro1:52 - Help Us Change the Podcast Name3:34 - Jason's What's In What's Out, Max Alran Rips6:35 - Jason Met Queenstown_NPC12:30 - Lars' What's In What's Out, Ride New Places20:23 - Spomer What's In What's Out, Olympics & 9th Street Doc25:30 - Spomer Can't Pee and Misses Asa Destroying Telonics41:54 - Jason Meets Sven43:50 - Loic Bruni and His Tire Pressure48:51 - Lars Got a Frameworks DH & Headsets Suck1:00:53 - Does Santa Cruz Sell More V10s Than Any Other Pedal Bike in Their Lineup?1:07:17 - Will Specialized Stop Making Alloy Full Suspension Bikes?1:08:37 - Jason Wouldn't Let Loris Vergier Follow Him1:10:21 - Crazy Commencal Team Brake Setups in NZ1:20:37 - Packing a Bike To Travel & Frameworks' Nifty Boxing Technique1:27:31 - Don't Travel with Jason1:29:25 - Why 17 Questions?

In part two, a bicycle and public transport advocate responds to panellist Allan Blackman's concerns about Auckland's Karangahape Road bike lanes being underused. Is it true that no one is using them? Then, builder and hurling athlete Declan Malone made a generous offering of $3000 worth of gifts to Queenstown's Lakes District Hospital. Months earlier he'd suffered a massive seizure and was admitted for what turned out to be week long stay receiving treatment. We learn why he wanted to give back AND what the heck is hurling?

The Official Cash Rate has been left unchanged, 2.25%, expected by all the commentators, but perhaps less expected was a dovish view of the future. It was the new Reserve Bank Governor's, well she's not that new I suppose, the newish Reserve Bank Governor's first OCR review, having come on board at the end of '25. She is pretty optimistic about the economy. She said it will continue to recover, but she understands that many households are not feeling it yet. Must be rather annoying being told, no, everything's fine, everything's turning around, everything's great, while you're looking down the back of the couch for coins to get the kids' school lunches. But there are great numbers coming out of our primary industry sector and thank God for you. Just take a moment on your tractor, in your shed, on the motorbike, in the fields, just take a little moment to have a big deep breath and consider yourself congratulated and thanked. Kiwifruit, dairy, sheep, beef, yet again that sector, our primary industry sector, is doing the heavy lifting to keep the engine of the economy running. How many times? And we should point out, you were doing it with one hand and one leg tied behind your back for much of the past decade. So thank you again for keeping us going, producing stuff that the rest of the world wants. However, we can't depend on you, we shouldn't be as reliant upon you as we all are. Trends change, markets change, you know, all of a sudden, the world will decide that, oh I don't know, refined sugar is the way to go, not protein, and all of a sudden, the world will change. Unlikely to go for refined sugar, but you know what I mean. You're also vulnerable to climate, you know, a good season needs good weather. You're vulnerable to external markets. To a certain extent you are not the author of your own fortune, you are very dependent on outside and external sources. And if you're dependent on that, so too are we. We need to find other strands, other sectors to build up. You know, technology would be ideal and we've made some great marks in that, bioscience, fantastic, but not houses. Let's not look at an unproductive sector of the economy to provide us with wealth again. House prices have come back a little in the North Island, Auckland's average asking price is once again over a million dollars, and you should see the tat you get for that. That's up 9% from December. Tale of two islands: Christchurch, Queenstown, Otago, Southland, all seen significant increases in prices. But the “drop in value” has seen a drop in confidence. Reserve Bank's Paul Conway says the reduced prominence of the wealth effect from higher house prices is a risk to the economic recovery. It's a big change, he says, for the New Zealand economy to not have that increase in house prices as a kicker to aggregate demand. He says there may well have been structural changes in the housing market that means an increase in demand for housing no longer equates with higher house prices. And it's true, for a couple of decades Kiwi property owners have been living off the wealth of their main asset. There were astronomical rises in the value of homes around the country and people felt wealthy and spent like they were wealthy. A chronic undersupply of homes, high migration, low interest rates saw huge rises in the value of homes around the country and so people spent like they were rich. All of a sudden, a home became far more than a place you lived in, it was an asset with equity which you could use to springboard yourself into wealth, as so many of the ads that we ran on this station told you. People spent like drunken sailors and the economy boomed. Fast track to the post Covid slump and people have seen their house prices drop – in some horrible cases they owe more on their house than they can sell it for. And as Paul Conway says, there may well have been structural changes to the housing market. High prices for the essentials means there's less disposable income in households and if one of you has been made redundant, it has been a tough few years. We've lost our groove. But as Reserve Bank Governor Dr. Anne Bremen told Mike Hosking this morning, there's enormous potential in the New Zealand economy and there are reasons to be optimistic. “I think it's a great economy. I think New Zealanders are underestimating actually the potential going forward in the New Zealand economy. We're already seeing some sectors doing really well, agriculture, manufacturing is starting going, and I do expect this to broaden in this year. So I'm very positive. We actually think there's quite a lot of what we call spare capacity in the economy, so we think that the economy can grow at a higher pace without causing so much inflationary pressure because there is still high unemployment, firms can increase, you know, manufacturing without having, they're starting to invest actually, which is also really good to see. So we do think there is spare capacity. And I know people, there is a lot of good potential in this economy. People should be a bit more optimistic.” There you go. So many people are telling us to be optimistic. We must be optimistic. We're all going to be optimistic, we're going to stay after class until we're all optimistic. Okay, I mean, a little bit hard when you've got the, you know, the infrastructure plan coming out yesterday which said that pretty much we need so much and we can't afford it. But there is room to grow in the economy as Dr. Bremen said, and as people know. But if you're not feeling it, you're not going to be spending. Back in the day when we were using our houses as ATMs, I mean I was one of them, we bought a house in Grey Lynn because it was the only place we could afford. I think it was about $250,000 —might have been closer to $300,000— which seemed a fortune at the time, but then the house price just went up and up and up so you could afford to do the renos. We could take it from an uninsulated place where the floorboards were open to the bare dirt floor underneath, as it had been since 1890. You could do the renos, you could do the landscaping of the garden, you were spending and New Zealand businesses were the ones who benefited from that. So if you're not doing that, where are the sustainable businesses going to get their work? If people don't feel confident enough about improving their homes or, you know, using the money that they've built up in their homes, how do you replace that quite significant chunk of money go round? Do you feel confident? Do you feel optimistic? Can you see light at the end of the tunnel? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So the OCR decision was largely as expected yesterday, but what the Reserve Bank made very clear is where they think growth will come from. As we've spoken about on the show lately, house prices aren't running away here like in Australia, bar Queenstown. In previous recoveries, the wealth effect kicks in and people go shopping when their house prices go up. But this time the bank says prices will stay flat, then pick up again later this year, but only at the rate of income growth. In other words, the opposite of what we're used over the past few decades. Usually, as anyone who's tried to buy a house will know, the price of a three-beddy in Auckland grows quicker than your salary. That's all changed now because we have more supply, at least according to the bank. So without the tickle up, where does economic growth come from? Anna Breman answered that question specifically yesterday and was pretty clear: agricultural exports, tourism, and more recently, some signs that manufacturing is picking up. These are industries that bring us money from offshore. They provide the basis for other sectors, like services, to pick up. If you're a farmer or tourism operator in Queenstown or Rotorua, you should feel proud of that. And we, through our government, should support them. That means staying off their backs and letting them get on doing what they do best: feeding the world and providing unforgettable experiences for visitors. On manufacturing, it's hard to ignore the energy debate. If we don't have a steady and reliable supply of electricity, trying to run a factory or a mill, as the central North Island has learnt the hard way just recently, becomes very difficult. So while LNG and coal for Huntly, or methane target changes, might sound bad, they're basically what ensure we support the industries that support us. What the Reserve Bank said unequivocally yesterday if that without them, there is no growth. And without growth, there are no new jobs. There ain't more tax. No new hospitals. Etc. etc. This is not to say it's a perfect world. There are costs to not doing environmental stuff. But for them to work, you need the world on board. In the meantime, the question is whether we can afford to bite the economic hand that feeds us. If you listen to the bank, it wouldn't appear so.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taste of Art will challenge chefs from some of New Zealand's top restaurants to transform everyday ingredients into jaw-dropping edible masterpieces The teams will be judged not only on flavour, but also on artistic design Dessert Masters host and former MasterChef Australia judge Melissa Leong hosts the show alongside Vaughan Mabee, executive chef of Queenstown's Amisfield restaurant Melissa joins Jesse.

Auckland needs sporting events. As many as possible. As big and flash and shiny as they come. The oft rumoured State of Origin has been teasing the populace for many a year. Rumours are still thick on the ground; this time it's thought that the announcement will be as early as this month. Great if it happens, but it will be a one off I'd suggest, great for a stellar tourist weekend for the 09, but not the long term locked down major sporting event the city yearns for. We have the ASB Classic. An annual tennis-fest to be proud of, long may it be a staple of the summer. The annual All Black fixture at Eden Park. Then crickets. The insects, not the test version which the city is incapable of hosting. It's hardly big or shiny either right? I'm not sure it's sport, but the hugely popular Black Clash cricket sportainment event is in the Bay. No big motorsport event in AK, although there were attempts at bringing Formula E here, but that got quashed before it had a chance to plug in. Supercars? Taupo and Christchurch. The World Rally Championship has been and gone; it is now a rarely realised pipe dream. Sevens rugby is long dead. Aotearoa's major golf tournament is in Queenstown. PDC darts? At least we've pinched that back from the Tron. Surfing's World League? Raglan. No America's Cup, thanks Grant. All of this points to one thing, the Auckland leg of the Sail GP. If the government and Auckland city don't fight tooth and nail to keep this rapidly expanding global event here on the sparkling Waitemata, somebody will need to get in the sea. These opportunities to host a major sporting event like this as a rare as a summer without poo on our beaches. Secure it and secure it long term. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

March 6th is your day. This is the date that the changes to foreign buyers of expensive houses comes into play. This date, in a way, is like the LNG announcement. The idea of foreign buyers for houses isn't new. It's been part of the Government's plan ever since the Government became the Government. The LNG idea got floated in the winter of 2024, not long after the Government became the Government also. This proves one of two things - either it's hard work being in Government and things take longer than you think, or this lot aren't that flash at getting things done despite the rhetoric to the contrary. The foreign buyers rule is a righting of a horrible, myopic, narrow-minded wrong from the previous Government. House prices were never driven by Germans buying $15 million homes in Herne Bay, nor the Chinese buying $19 million homes in St Heliers. And Auckland is essentially where they were all bought. Queenstown has joined the party a bit lately. But the vast swathe of New Zealand never saw a mega purchase from a filthy, rich foreigner. Why it's important is we should see foreigners as good people who want to improve their lives, while improving ours via the improvement of the country. People who have money do things with it, like buy or build business, they invest, they grow, they employ and they pay tax. They bring knowledge and expertise and they, more often than not, fall in love with our piece of paradise and end up doing far more than they ever set out to do. I think a lot of Julian Robertson, an American who built lodges and golf courses here that bring in millions. He enhanced the place. And next time you're at the Auckland Art Gallery, go see one of his Picasso's. He gave them a fortune in art. What drives bans is envy, shallowness, fear and, often, stupidity. We have at last made it right. Yes, it will help the housing market, but more importantly it will help the country and this country needs to pull every trigger in its arsenal to fire it up. Nine years ago we were a place of pride and growth and global admiration. Labour 2017-23 destroyed that. March 6th is a small step back towards redemption and better days. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

March 6th is your day. This is the date that the changes to foreign buyers of expensive houses comes into play. This date, in a way, is like the LNG announcement. The idea of foreign buyers for houses isn't new. It's been part of the Government's plan ever since the Government became the Government. The LNG idea got floated in the winter of 2024, not long after the Government became the Government also. This proves one of two things - either it's hard work being in Government and things take longer than you think, or this lot aren't that flash at getting things done despite the rhetoric to the contrary. The foreign buyers rule is a righting of a horrible, myopic, narrow-minded wrong from the previous Government. House prices were never driven by Germans buying $15 million homes in Herne Bay, nor the Chinese buying $19 million homes in St Heliers. And Auckland is essentially where they were all bought. Queenstown has joined the party a bit lately. But the vast swathe of New Zealand never saw a mega purchase from a filthy, rich foreigner. Why it's important is we should see foreigners as good people who want to improve their lives, while improving ours via the improvement of the country. People who have money do things with it, like buy or build business, they invest, they grow, they employ and they pay tax. They bring knowledge and expertise and they, more often than not, fall in love with our piece of paradise and end up doing far more than they ever set out to do. I think a lot of Julian Robertson, an American who built lodges and golf courses here that bring in millions. He enhanced the place. And next time you're at the Auckland Art Gallery, go see one of his Picasso's. He gave them a fortune in art. What drives bans is envy, shallowness, fear and, often, stupidity. We have at last made it right. Yes, it will help the housing market, but more importantly it will help the country and this country needs to pull every trigger in its arsenal to fire it up. Nine years ago we were a place of pride and growth and global admiration. Labour 2017-23 destroyed that. March 6th is a small step back towards redemption and better days. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Queenstown council has teamed up with local police to create videos for tourists promoting safe driving in the district. The idea came from the council's transportation engineer Xinghao Chen who spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Fleur Caulton says a recent refresh and renovation of Queenstown's Rātā signals a turning point in the tourism town's fortunes. 

Things are continuing to flourish in Queenstown. The mid-scale ‘Holiday Inn Express & Suites', which boasts 277 rooms in the City Centre, is being refurbished to become ‘voco Queenstown' – part of IHG's premium portfolio. The move targets high-end tourism, with the hotel running at around 90% occupancy for nine months of the year. Hotel Council Aotearoa Strategic Director James Doolan told Mike Hosking that it's normal to think about renovating and repositioning every seven to ten years, but upgrading to the next level is an encouraging sign. He says central government's increased investment in event attraction and destination marketing has allowed private businesses to invest in their assets. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Queenstown's seeing a surge in ultra wealthy overseas buyers looking to purchase houses. A luxury real estate agent is reporting a 600 percent increase in overseas enquiries for properties across the lakes district. There's increased interest from former Soviet bloc countries, suggesting buyers are trying to get away from the conflict in Europe. Oliver Road Luxury Real Estate Founder and Managing Director Cam Winter told Andrew Dickens that the issue of affordable accommodation in Queenstown is separate from the luxury real estate market. He says buyers don't want to buy a home here and spend so little time in it that they feel like aliens. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global tourist hotspots like Barcelona and New York are banning or restricting the use of short term accommodation, like AirBnB to try to free up housing. Now , Sydney is looking into it. Queenstown is also interested - with a third of homes empty every night due to short term rentals. Opes Partners Resident Economist Ed McKnight told Andrew Dickins that it makes sense for Sydney but not necessarily Queenstown. He says if you take away Airbnb in Queenstown - it doesn't mean there's more housing for sale - because a lot of them are holiday homes anyway. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

McDonald's finally has the green light to build its golden arches in Wanaka, more than two years after first floating the idea. The fast-food giant's secured consent for a new restaurant in the town's Three Parks commercial area. It's almost a year after an earlier proposal was knocked back amid widespread public opposition. Queenstown Lakes Deputy Mayor Quentin Smith told Mike Hosking the bid might've gone through first time if McDonald's had aimed for a commercial zone from the start. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bérangère partage son ressenti sur Queenstown, connue pour les sports extrêmes et l'affluence touristique. Elle raconte ensuite la découverte des fjords, avec Milford Sound, puis la descente vers le grand sud jusqu'à Curio Bay, une région plus brute, qui donne le sentiment d'être au bout du pays.Pour écouter l'épisode en entier :2 mois en campervan en Nouvelle-Zélande en famille-----------Si l'épisode vous a plu, laissez-moi une note 5 ⭐️ou un commentaire sur Apple Podcasts ou Spotify

As Queenstown's population booms, and its house prices soar, experts say a largely invisible force is having a major effect on the housing market. Katie Todd reports.

Bérangère décrit la région du mont Cook, les paysages alpins, les glaciers et les lacs Tekapo et Pukaki.Elle parle des spots de camping au bord de l'eau, de la balade de la Hooker Valley Track, environ 4 h aller-retour jusqu'au pied des glaciers, et du plaisir de dormir en campervan dans des lieux qui valent, selon elle, bien plus que des hôtels. Elle raconte ensuite la route qui mène vers Queenstown.Pour écouter l'épisode en entier :2 mois en campervan en Nouvelle-Zélande en famille-----------Si l'épisode vous a plu, laissez-moi une note 5 ⭐️ou un commentaire sur Apple Podcasts ou Spotify

Despite record visitor numbers and hundreds of job opportunities, workers in Queenstown say the cost of living is making it increasingly difficult to stay. Katie Todd reports.

A popular tourist area north of Queenstown has been cut off after engineers identified serious structural failures with Skippers Bridge. Jessica Hopkins reports.

Conservationists fear roaming pet cats could undo years of work at a Queenstown wetland. Katie Todd reports.

Queenstown's tourism offering is shifting upmarket with new ultra-luxury experiences targeting high-spending travellers. Katie Todd reports.

First-home buyers are making up the biggest share of Queenstown property purchases in nearly two decades - but getting a foot on the ladder is still proving brutal in New Zealand's most expensive district. Katie Todd reports.

Kurt Capewell returns with fresh yarns — nearly burning down the caravan at polocrosse, loose boys' trips in Bali and Queenstown, meeting Bob Menery in Vegas, and growing up in a house full of dust-ups. He chats life at the Sharks, Panthers, Broncos and Warriors, the travel grind, the biggest pests he's played with, and his new fishing/golf YouTube channel. Plus a shout to Clayton's Organics. Up the Wahs!#propertrueyarn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a question/idea/opinion direct via text message!In this episode of the New Zealand Property Market podcast, host Nick Goodall engages with Loan Market mortgage advisors from various regions, including Queenstown, Tauranga, and Mangawhai. The conversation explores local market insights, property trends, and the impact of foreign buyers on the market. Advisors share their expectations for the summer property market and discuss interest rate trends, providing valuable insights for potential buyers and investors.Sign up for news and insights or contact on LinkedIn, X @NickGoodall_CL or @KDavidson_CL and email ngoodall@cotality.com or kdavidson@cotality.comThis podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. The hosts are not licensed Financial Advice Providers in New Zealand. All information is of a general nature and does not take into account your personal situation or goals. Please consult a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.

Nobody knows how many feral cats roam New Zealand, but estimates are in the millions and they're a major threat to our native species. They've infiltrated almost every landscape, from coasts, to farms, to National Parks like Fiordland. Plus they're wily and trap-shy, making them a tricky predator to tackle. RNZ's In-Depth reporter Farah Hancock speaks to some people on the front lines of the battle against feral cats. Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.In this episode:00:00 – 00:59 Introduction to bonus episode01:00 – 03:24 Background to feral cat problem03:40 – 10:30 Playing ‘poos clues' & trapping cats with hunter Victor Tinsdale10:40 – 15:00 Daniel Cocker on how cats are threatening the dotterels on Rakiura15:20 - 16:20 Farah explains how secondary poisoning works16:30 – 19:42 Objections to 1080 use on Rakiura, and efforts to address these20:18 – 24:08 Brad Windust with cat poo smelling dog Wero24:09 – 24:44 CreditsLearn more:Read the series of articles and see photos on the RNZ Feral webpage.In 2023 OCW spoke to ‘Dotterel Dan' about the plight of the pukunui, and a tagging study aimed at identifying exactly where they nest on Rakiura.In the Catlins, Forest and Bird pest control officer Gavin Whiteis also battling trap-smart feral cats. While in the Wye valley near Queenstown, the Southern Lakes Sanctuary is hoping that new AI tech will help in the battle.Kākāpō were moved fromRakiura because of predation by feral cats. As the numbers of these manu grow, hopes are that achieving Predator Free Rakiura goals, including eradication of feral cats, will allow them to return.Guests:Victor Tindale, hunterDaniel Cocker, Department of Conservation rangerBrad Windust, trapperGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Three companies have been fined a total of $345,000 for their part in a landslip that swamped a Queenstown cemetery and forced dozens of nearby residents to evacuate their homes during the region's wettest day in decades. Skyline Enterprises, which owns the gondola, along with contractors Naylor Love Central Otago and Wilsons Contractors, were charged with breaching the Resource Management Act by Queenstown-Lakes District Council. Reporter Adam Burns was at the sentencing and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Roger Vieira is back on The Ride Companion and this time it's a completely different chapter! Roger Vieira & Pivot Factory Racing was one of the best stories to come out of the 2025 season. Last time Roger sat in the studio he was questioning whether a factory ride would ever happen, then just weeks later he found himself in Poland racing a brand new bike with barely any testing and suddenly living the dream he'd chased for over a decade. In this episode we unpack that entire whirlwind year, the real difference between "puzzling" as a privateer and "dialling" as a factory rider, battling imposter syndrome, learning to trust the data and the team, and how mindset plays as big a role as fitness. We also dive into Roger's massive Genova street race win on the Pivot Firebird, why that result meant so much to him and the team and how it helped prove he truly belonged at factory level. To top it all off, Roger reveals he's now secured a two year Pivot Factory Racing deal, quit the day job, and is heading into his first ever proper off-season with Queenstown, California and Supercross trips on the horizon. This is one of those full circle Ride Companion stories that we couldn't be more proud to be a part of it. BORA BORA!!  The Ride Companion Christmas Ride at BikePark Wales! Episode Sponsors:- - Hiplok → Head on over to http://hiplok.com/trc to claim your exclusive offer and keep YOUR bikes YOURS. - Looking for a new car or van and don't want to deal with dodgy dealers? Check out https://www.cargurus.co.uk - WORX Tools → 15% off the full range with code THERIDECOMPANION: https://uk.worx.com Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion You can also support our long term partners: - Marin Bikes: marinbikes.com/gb - Focus Bikes: focus-bikes.com - HUEL: Get 15% OFF with code 'RIDE' at huel.com/ - Hiplok: https://hiplok.com/the-ride-companion  - Get 10% off Troy Lee Designs with code 'theridecompanion' at saddleback.avln.me/c/OzduCWvjtcOr - Athletic Greens: Get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs at athleticgreens.com/RIDECOMPANION - Compex: Get 20% off with code 'THERIDECOMPANION' at compex.com/uk/ - Worx: Get 15% off with code 'THERIDECOMPANION' at worx.com - LAKA: Get 30 days of FREE insurance with code 'RIDECOMPANION30' at laka.co - HKT Products: Use code 'PODCAST' for 10% off the entire site. Follow Olly Wilkins Instagram @odub_23 YouTube @owilkins23 The Ride Companion Instagram @theridecompanion YouTube @TheRideCompanion YouTube clips and BTS channel @moreridecompanion Get official Ride Companion merch, find old episodes and more theridecompanion.co.uk

Two months out from the Winter Olympics Queenstown skier Alice Robinson is proving she'll be one to watch in Italy. The 24-year-old claimed her 20th career World Cup podium today, the second time she'd medalled in Giant Slalom in two days. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

For as long as most of us will be able to remember, the Kiwi dream has meant a 3 or 4 bed home with a deck out the back and just enough grass to need a mower. It's represented putting down roots and starting a family with a sense of security in owning your own place. But after years now of rising house prices and interest rates going up and down quite rapidly, I've been wondering whether our property obsession has changed - and whether it's a temporary change or a permanent one. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new partnership deal in the ski industry aims to tap into the booming Chinese market. NZSki and Sunac-BonSki have signed on, giving New Zealand direct access to 13.5 million active skiers in China. NZSki CEO Paul Anderson told Mike Hosking while the New Zealanders and Australians make up the bulk of skiers, they've seen an increasing number of Chinese visitors to ski areas – particularly Queenstown. He says they're no longer the traditional bus tours of groups that came through from China, but high spending free independent travellers. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We weren't big on dining out when I was growing up. Truth is, we couldn't really afford to. With four kids, a mortgage, and decent cooking skills themselves, my parents didn't really buy food. They bought groceries and the odd few rounds of fish and chips on the beach, but apart from that almost everything we ate was prepared in the kitchen at home. That being said, every now and then there'd be a special occasion. Every now and then we'd make our way into the city and Christchurch's historic Arts Centre, where each of us would line up for a lunchtime treat. Back then, Dimitris served souvlakis from a little caravan, tucked into a little corner next to the old gothic revival buildings. Whenever you'd pass by, there would be a little group of people milling about and waiting for their order to be prepared. On a really busy day, the owner, Dimitris Merentitis, would have someone else working with him as he made his way through the orders. You could choose between single, double, or triple meat. Lamb, chicken, or falafel. The Tames always had the same thing: lamb souvlakis with a token bit of salad, and a hearty drenching of beautiful, garlicky, tzatziki sauce. As you stood there waiting, you'd try and size up the people around you to work out how many orders would have to be completed and checked off before yours would be up. I remember being frustrated when someone would appear from a shop or a stall nearby, having ducked away for a few minutes while their order was prepared. Dammit, I'd think, surely, I'm next. I don't know about you, call me a heathen, but as far as I'm concerned there are few gastronomical combinations quite so glorious as hot meat in hot bread. It's about as simple as it gets, pulled straight off the sizzling grill, wrapped in newsprint and passed into your hungry hands. The bread at Dimitris' souvlakis was always so pillowy and soft. You'd navigate the first few bites with relative dignity, but by the time you got down to the last fistful of souvlaki, there was no room for quaint niceties like plastic cutlery. Everything would be soaking with meat juice and sauce. Heaven is a place on Earth. It's funny how people will always find and celebrate good food. Looking back, I recall the point when we crossed the threshold, in our family. Even though as teenagers our friends were always asking their parents to go to McDonalds or KFC, when each of us had a birthday roll around, we'd ask to go to Dimitris. And it turns out we weren't the only ones. We might have thought it was a family secret, but it was a family secret that was apparently shared by half the people in Canterbury. After years and years and years of serving up how every many million souvlakis, Dimitris has built his operation into a gastronomic institution. From the little stand in the Arts Centre to his Greek restaurant and prominent spot in Riverside Market today, Dimitris is a dining destination that I'd argue now ranks among New Zealand's best-loved spots: Queenstown has Fergburger. Wellington has Fidel's. Christchurch has Dimitris. This weekend, Dimitris celebrates forty years of operations in the Garden City. Forty years. So much of the city has changed in that time. The CBD looks completely different. Entire neighbourhoods have gone. But some things have never changed. Lamb. Bread. Lashings of tzatziki. Dimitris' success is sizzling, mouthwatering proof you can't improve on perfection. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Hambassadors brought to you by Stark, Che lifts the lid on his surprise wedding - a secret ceremony disguised as a casual party. Some guests arrived late, one turned up straight from the golf course, and others missed the memo entirely. No suits. No first dance. Just speeches, chinos, and a whole lot of love.Elsewhere, Steve confesses to flooding a Queenstown hotel room with a poorly timed bath, we break down insights from a $36k leadership course, and uncover Steve's true introverted nature.There's also fashion tips from the Barkers wardrobe upgrade and a voice note from Sharyn Casey that sparked a deeper chat about discipline and identity.Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers and this episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 Kia ora e te whānau. We want to invite all who can be upstanding to welcome one R. Croft of Greymouth back for her Tenth appearance on Dirt Church Radio. We are Ruth fans. If there was a RAT for it (Ruth Antigen Test), we'd be positive. Or is that CAT? (Croft Antigen Test?). ANYWAYS. It's been a minute since we've talked to old mate, and after an abortive attempt post UTMB (Thanks, French Internet, you dork), Ali P gets together for a long overdue catch-up with Ruth about the year she's had, and what it was like to finally knock the bastard off. The bastard in question is of course, UTMB. This episode also finds our heroes discussing if they'd volunteer themselves as tribute for a fox hunt (them being the fox), the Queenstown and Aotearoa Afghanistan Marathon, and a Greatest Run Ever for the ages.. Excellent Stuff.Dirt Church Radio – Best Enjoyed Running.--- --- --- Episode Links Ruth Croft Instagram Adidas Terrex Sign up for the DCR AidStation newsletterThe Squadrun 4-Week Training Trial for DCR Listeners!Dirt Church Radio on InstagramDirt Church Radio on FacebookFurther Faster New ZealandEnjoy!Music by Andrew McDowall, Digicake

On today's episode of The Agenda, Matt Heath and Finn Caddie join ACC Head G Lane to discuss Matt's Queenstown marathon redemption (00:00)...WATCH THE FULL EPISODE ON YOUTUBE HERE!Then the fellas review the longest and most boring ODI between the Black Caps and the West Indies (08:10), before raking over the coals of the All Blacks' Grand Slam dream ending at Twickers (18:55).Then, ACC Head G Lane has a massive golf announcement, and Davy Davy Dumb has fired shots at the English ahead of the Ashes (29:55).Finally, they get to your feedback in 'Yours Please' (44:35)... Did you know that we've launched a new Facebook Group called 'The Caravan' JOIN HERE! Brought to you by Export Ultra! Follow The ACC on Instagram or Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to The Agenda Podcast now on iHeartRadio, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts! iHeartRadio Apple Spotify YouTube THANKS MATE! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jared updates on the storm damage to Fiordland's Great Walks, a new record average asking house price in Central Otago and Southern Lakes, an arrest over cell tower damage in Wanaka and the solar lights in Queenstown's skies.

The number of Australians visiting here surged over the past year to the second highest number on record. Bookings in tourism hotspots like Queenstown, Christchurch and Rotorua are picking up ahead of a busy summer. Sudima Hotels chief operation officer Les Morgan spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Expelled Te Pati Maori MP Takuta Ferris says he's had no response from the party's national council over his calls for an urgent meeting; The fallout from the release of more than 20,000 new documents relating to Jeffrey Epstein continues; The number of Australians visiting here surged over the past year to the second highest number on record. Bookings in tourism hotspots like Queenstown, Christchurch and Rotorua are picking up ahead of a busy summer; A British pub in Greater Manchester has solved what it's called the crime of the century, a quiz team consistently winning through cheating; A Coromandel couple is at their wit's end about how to get a good night's sleep, because of rowdy penguin lodgers who are treating the place like their own.

Our tourism levels are continuing to rise, reaching 88% of pre-Covid numbers. Australian visitors continue to dominate the market, with 1.48 million arrivals in the September quarter – up 12% on last year. The US was the next biggest at 381,000 —up 21,000— while visitors from China remained flat at 246,000. In New Zealand, Queenstown and Christchurch remain the tourist hotspots. Tourism Minister Louise Upston told Mike Hosking the numbers show the work they're putting in are delivering some results, but there's still work to do to attract even more international visitors. She says they just have to make sure New Zealand is top of mind for countries that normally choose us – Australia, the US, and Canada all being a big focus. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some restaurateurs are starry-eyed at the prospect of the prestigious Michelin Guide setting its sights on eateries across the country. For the first time in 125 years the Michelin guide will include restaurants from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown in an inaugural New Zealand edition to be released next year. But not everyone in the industry is fizzing, with one leading chef warning that there is a dark side to the star. Finn Blackwell dishes the details.

New Zealand's culinary world is thrilled the prestigious Michelin Guide is coming to our shores. Queenstown restaurant Amisfield. Its executive chef Vaughan Mabee spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The economic benefits of sustainability must be well communicated to rally people and businesses to take action, says Mat Woods, CEO at Destination Queenstown in Aotearoa New Zealand. This approach has helped the city become a leader in electrification. It has been able to rally a community-wide movement toward carbon-zero tourism and experiences that show travellers a glimpse of a tourism future less reliant on fossil fuels. In this episode, we discuss Queenstown's “good ancestor” philosophy, carbon-zero goals, electric innovations travellers can enjoy, and the economic benefits of destination stewardship.In October 2025, Destination Think Collective members and other travel leaders gathered in Queenstown to experience sustainable innovations first-hand. Visit our blog for the five takeaways from that event: https://destinationthink.com/blog/5-green-themes-from-an-energizing-forum-2025-in-queenstown-aotearoa/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pendant la Première Guerre mondiale, la Royal Navy britannique fit preuve d'une imagination redoutable pour contrer la menace des sous-marins allemands, les redoutés U-Boote. Parmi les ruses les plus ingénieuses figurent les Q-Ships, ou “navires Q” — des bâtiments civils apparemment inoffensifs, mais en réalité lourdement armés et conçus pour tromper l'ennemi.Une idée née d'une guerre sous-marine sans règlesEn 1915, l'Allemagne déclare la guerre sous-marine à outrance. Ses sous-marins attaquent sans avertissement les navires marchands britanniques, cherchant à affamer le pays en coupant ses lignes d'approvisionnement. Face à cette menace invisible, la marine britannique cherche un moyen d'attirer les U-Boote à la surface — là où ils sont vulnérables.C'est alors qu'émerge l'idée des Q-Ships : des bateaux-leurres déguisés en cargos, chalutiers ou goélettes, qui semblent sans défense mais dissimulent à bord des canons camouflés sous des panneaux de bois ou des bâches. Le “Q” vient probablement de la ville de Queenstown (aujourd'hui Cobh, en Irlande), d'où partirent les premiers bâtiments de ce type.Le stratagème en actionLeur mission reposait sur la ruse et le sang-froid. Lorsqu'un sous-marin repérait ce qu'il croyait être un navire marchand isolé, il remontait à la surface pour l'achever au canon, économisant ainsi ses précieuses torpilles. Le Q-Ship simulait alors la panique : l'équipage “abandonnait” le navire à bord de canots de sauvetage.Mais dès que le sous-marin s'approchait, les panneaux tombaient, les canons apparaissaient, et les marins britanniques ouvraient le feu à bout portant. Plusieurs U-Boote furent ainsi coulés par surprise.Efficacité et controversesEntre 1915 et 1917, les Q-Ships réussirent à détruire ou endommager plus d'une dizaine de sous-marins allemands. Mais leur succès déclina vite : les Allemands apprirent à se méfier et à tirer à distance. De plus, cette stratégie soulevait des débats éthiques : en se déguisant en navires civils, les Britanniques brouillaient la frontière entre combattants et non-combattants, violant en partie les conventions maritimes.Un héritage d'ingéniosité navaleMalgré ces limites, les Q-Ships incarnent l'ingéniosité et le pragmatisme britanniques face à un ennemi redoutable. Le concept fut même réutilisé pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale, bien que moins efficacement.Ces navires-pièges demeurent aujourd'hui un symbole de la guerre navale de ruse, où l'intelligence et la tromperie furent parfois aussi décisives que la puissance de feu. Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.

As desperate job seekers battle for work across the country, Queenstown and Wanaka are bucking the trend. Katie Todd reports.

Jared discusses the new mayor for Queenstown Lakes and debate over agreed lake levels to ensure electricity generation at Hawea.