Podcasts about Rotorua

The government has announced an end to emergency housing motels in Rotorua - fulfilling a campaign promise. The minister responsible, Tama Potaka, said it will restore the town's safety, dignity, and confidence. But Labour said all it's done is shift the problem to the streets. Political reporter Giles Dexter has more.

A Rotorua women's refuge says it has been shocked at the increase in the number of those needing to escape abusive homes over the past 18 months. But the rise in those affected by family violence isn't just a Rotorua problem, with one Auckland provider telling RNZ the economic situation has compounded the problem there, too. Libby Kirkby-McLeod reports.

The 52 year old Rotorua woman is a keen mountain biker - prior to her surgery she would spend hours in the Redwoods forests. 

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.

Ciska de Jong grew up sailing around places like Waiheke, the Bay of Islands and even remote parts of Fiji, which set the tone for a life built around adventure. After a long solo trip overseas, she moved from Auckland to Tauranga and found a slower rhythm, with more time to chase waterfalls, paddle hidden chasms and explore the Bay of Plenty. Ciska shares how NZ Adventures began with simple weekend missions and turned into a way of helping others discover what is right on their doorstep. She runs through her favourite spots across Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupō and the Coromandel, and reflects on why small adventures matter, how nature shapes her days and what keeps her exploring.Discover the best of New Zealand with my NZ Map & Guide, featuring 100+ incredible locations for your next adventure. Use PODCAST10 at checkout for 10% off and start planning your dream trip todayGet my NZ Map & GuideBook your 1-on-1 consult and personalised itinerary Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can't wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)Follow Ciska on Instagram: instagram.com/nz_adventures/ Follow Ciska on Facebook: facebook.com/NZadventures/www.valuemedia.co.nz/nzadventuresRead the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nzFollow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/Get my NZ Map & Guide

A person who witnessed a fatal bus crash in Rotorua last night says the car involved appeared to cross the centre line. A passenger in the car was killed and the driver and another passenger were critically injured after it collided with a bus full of school children.

Thirty-one people have been involved in a crash between a bus and a car in the Rotorua suburb of Owhata last night. Lauren Crimp reports.

Another missed opportunity this week driven by fear and blunt honesty, or lack of it. When asked on Wednesday in Parliament whether the Government was going to change the law to ban homeless people from camping in downtown areas of this country, the Prime Minister gave us an answer of a scared person. Technically it may currently be true they have not discussed it in Cabinet. Technically it may be true they haven't passed a law. But that wasn't the point. The point is trouble in CBDs is crippling entire cities and it needs to stop, and that's where his answer should have started. Then he should have gone on to say we have had meetings, and we have worked out no one has the power to really tackle the issue, so we are going to change that. Then he should have outlined how they were going to change it. We don't deal with emotive stories well, because of fear, and that needs to change as well. Homelessness for many is sad. Not all, but many. There will be addiction, and sorrow, and madness, literally and figuratively, and you can get lost in that if you let yourself and then you end up like the Labour Party – apologising for shocking outcomes. Rotorua anyone? But each part of any given emotive story has a weighing. If the weighing is wrong on one part, then disaster ensues. Being afraid to deal with a very real problem for fear of offence is overweighing the plight of the homeless. The homeless need help but they can't wreck the joint simply because of their status. They don't get more rights because of who they are, and we can't look away just because it's easy to do so. Also requiring their share of weight is every business operator, bus driver, worker and citizen who wouldn't mind using their CBD but doesn't, or is fearful too because our leaders won't deal with hard issues. No one argues it isn't a problem. We can debate a bit, if you like, on how we resolve it. But resolve it we must and that involves getting the problem out of downtown and it requires the right attitude to do it. Labour asked the question because they back the homeless. They are happy to wreck cites and businesses and their record shows that. The Prime Minister failed to show up as a leader and run with a solution, because as he stood, his backbone vanished. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With unemployment hitting a nice year high, there's some brighter news in Rotorua. David Tapsell, Chair of the mall owner Pukeroa Oruawhata Trust spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Ten migrants are finishing up a ten-week bilingual course in te reo Maori and English that is believed to be the first of its kind in New Zealand. The pilot programme, based in Rotorua, has helped them build confidence in speaking, presenting and connecting through both languages. It's a collaboration between Speech New Zealand, Te Tatau o Te Arawa and the Rotorua Multicultural Council with funding covered by Immigration New Zealand. Paz Coloma, who is from Chile, has completed the course and joins Jesse.

Best number plates you've seen in the wild. What's the maximum amount you can want to kiss your friends? Boys Get Paid review Mumma Di's betting process. Clint wants to be the Mayor of Rotorua. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kelly reports on the fire that destroyed an historic rugby club, a reward is offered for a missing local teacher, manslaughter charges four years after the disappearance of a local man and a local golfing legend.

A $60 million biofactory opening in Rotorua next year will give small businesses the opportunity to create and test new bioproducts using forestry slash. 

If you've been a listener for a while, you'll know its time for the boys annual pilgrimage to the Whaka 100!100km of premium Rotorua forest, but also 100km of suffering is on the cards, join us as we preview what we think we might (but will likely be wildly wrong).Brought to you by:Maxxis Tyres - New Zealand's tyre of choice!To see the full line up from Maxxis, check out www.marleen.co.nz/brands/maxxis.htmlSquirt CyclingYour bike care sorted! Top quality chain lubes, wax, bike cleaner and tyre sealant!https://squirtcycling.nz/Fox Suspensionhttps://ridefox.com/pages/bikeIf you enjoy the OTB Podcast and would like to support, please consider joining us on Patreon and help keep the podcast alive. This isn't even close to a job for us and is done for your enjoyment! https://www.patreon.com/TheOTBPodcast

Improved relationships between teachers and students are being credited as just as important as the Government's curriculum changes. New Education Review Office research shows teachers are seeing more engaged students in maths and English, and three-quarters of parents say their child is making progress. Principal of Rotorua's Kaitao Intermediate, Phil Palfrey told Ryan Bridge it's also that more people are realising the importance of school. He says teachers have been working hard to build relationships with their students, which is equally as important as any curriculum changes. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trevor Maxwell has been a Rotorua councillor for 48 years and joins Emile Donovan.

Debs Brockelsby is based in Rotorua and deeply passionate about adventures outdoors. After a traumatic brain injury, she realised that life is short - do cool sh*t. Debs shares about quitting her dream job at Cycling NZ, the long journey of recovery, and how mountain biking helped her rebuild confidence and joy. She talks about starting Stoked NZ, a towel poncho business inspired by her love for lake swims and riding in the forest. Debs offers advice for anyone wanting to get into mountain biking, including how to choose your first bike, where to ride, and how to find community. Her story is a reminder to chase adventure and make the most of every day.Discover the best of New Zealand with my NZ Map & Guide, featuring 100+ incredible locations for your next adventure. Use PODCAST10 at checkout for 10% off and start planning your dream trip today.Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can't wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :) Follow Debs on Instagram: instagram.com/stokednz/www.stokednz.co.nzRead the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nzFollow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/Get my NZ Map & Guide

Get off the couch, stop playing play station and find a job, that was the Prime Minister's message to unemployed young people, but it might not be that simple in some parts of the country. Christopher Luxon made the comments to Rotorua business leaders on Friday. Since then the government has anounced its bringing forward plans to income test the parents' of 18 and 19-year-olds getting a JobSeeker Allowance from next year. Rotorua Chamber of Commerce CEO Melanie Short spoke to Lisa Owen.

Kelly discusses the re-opening of a popular Rotorua restaurant, a murder charge following a car crash, and Rotorua teen offered a job after video of him helping elderly shoppers go viral.

Welcome to Flava Breakfast's Off the Record - an online exclusive, too spicy for radio! In today's episode, Charlies shared all the good from Rotorua but there were also some not so good things happening at his son leagues tournament. For more, follow our socials: Instagram Facebook TikTokSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ON TODAYS SHOW Azura is moving homes which means its clean up time and there is plenty of lawn mower saga. Fake Snoop Dogg hit the streets for the AFL Grand Final. Plus, Charlie in Rotovegas got all the VIP treatment. For more, follow our socials: Instagram Facebook TikTokSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Au cœur de la Nouvelle-Zélande, à Rotorua, tous les rêves des touristes deviennent réalité : baignade dans des sources sacrées, haka spectaculaire… Mais à quel prix ? Si la culture maorie est mise en vitrine de ce tourisme, ceux qui en sont les gardiens se retrouvent pourtant marginalisés.   De notre correspondante en Nouvelle-Zélande, Plantée au pied d'un volcan éteint, la vallée géothermique de Rotorua est entrée dans le classement des villes les plus touristiques du pays. Toute l'économie de la région s'est donc développée en ce sens. Les habitants de Whakarewarewa font par exemple visiter leur village construit sur des sources chaudes à plus de 100 °C. « Certains pensent que c'est un décor, mais non, c'est un véritable village maori. Quand on voit le linge sécher sur la corde ou notre cuisine, c'est la preuve que nous habitons ici ! », raconte une habitante. Le ticket est plus cher si les touristes souhaitent assister au spectacle de danse traditionnelle. L'objectif est de mieux rémunérer les interprètes comme Harata Waera, dont c'est le métier à plein temps. « En été, nous pouvons donner jusqu'à trois spectacles par jour, parfois même quatre. Nous interprétons nos chants traditionnels, notamment le haka. Je vois l'émerveillement dans les yeux du public, car beaucoup de gens n'ont pas gardé leur culture ancestrale comme nous, nous la faisons encore vivre aujourd'hui », explique Harata Waera. Mais il est de plus en plus difficile pour les Maoris de préserver leurs habitudes ancestrales. En tant que membre de la communauté, Chanz Mikaere s'était notamment indignée lorsque des touristes ont été autorisés à nager dans une source thermale sacrée : « Quand on accueille des influenceurs ou des stars de TikTok, des YouTubeurs, on voit qu'ils sont habitués à avoir des passe-droits. C'est d'autant plus le cas depuis que Christopher Luxon est Premier ministre. C'est comme s'il censurait les Maoris d'une main et de l'autre, il s'attend à ce que nous "performions" dans le cadre du tourisme. » Le gouvernement néozélandais travaille en coordination avec la mairie de Rotorua pour développer encore plus le tourisme. Parmi les mesures annoncées figure la fermeture des hébergements d'urgence pour les transformer en motels touristiques. Chanz Mikaere y voit une nouvelle forme d'exclusion : « J'ai été sans-abri à un moment de ma vie, mais j'ai pu passer trois mois dans un de ces logements d'urgence. C'est notre normalité en tant que Maoris, c'est la vie en communauté, le partage de nos ressources comme dans une grande famille. Mais actuellement, nous sommes dans le capitalisme, qui provoque l'exact opposé. » L'essor du tourisme à Rotorua entraîne une véritable gentrification menaçant directement la communauté maorie, surreprésentée dans les catégories les plus pauvres de la population. À lire aussiChanz Mikaere, la voix rebelle des terres maories

Au cœur de la Nouvelle-Zélande, à Rotorua, tous les rêves des touristes deviennent réalité : baignade dans des sources sacrées, haka spectaculaire… Mais à quel prix ? Si la culture maorie est mise en vitrine de ce tourisme, ceux qui en sont les gardiens se retrouvent pourtant marginalisés.   De notre correspondante en Nouvelle-Zélande, Plantée au pied d'un volcan éteint, la vallée géothermique de Rotorua est entrée dans le classement des villes les plus touristiques du pays. Toute l'économie de la région s'est donc développée en ce sens. Les habitants de Whakarewarewa font par exemple visiter leur village construit sur des sources chaudes à plus de 100 °C. « Certains pensent que c'est un décor, mais non, c'est un véritable village maori. Quand on voit le linge sécher sur la corde ou notre cuisine, c'est la preuve que nous habitons ici ! », raconte une habitante. Le ticket est plus cher si les touristes souhaitent assister au spectacle de danse traditionnelle. L'objectif est de mieux rémunérer les interprètes comme Harata Waera, dont c'est le métier à plein temps. « En été, nous pouvons donner jusqu'à trois spectacles par jour, parfois même quatre. Nous interprétons nos chants traditionnels, notamment le haka. Je vois l'émerveillement dans les yeux du public, car beaucoup de gens n'ont pas gardé leur culture ancestrale comme nous, nous la faisons encore vivre aujourd'hui », explique Harata Waera. Mais il est de plus en plus difficile pour les Maoris de préserver leurs habitudes ancestrales. En tant que membre de la communauté, Chanz Mikaere s'était notamment indignée lorsque des touristes ont été autorisés à nager dans une source thermale sacrée : « Quand on accueille des influenceurs ou des stars de TikTok, des YouTubeurs, on voit qu'ils sont habitués à avoir des passe-droits. C'est d'autant plus le cas depuis que Christopher Luxon est Premier ministre. C'est comme s'il censurait les Maoris d'une main et de l'autre, il s'attend à ce que nous "performions" dans le cadre du tourisme. » Le gouvernement néozélandais travaille en coordination avec la mairie de Rotorua pour développer encore plus le tourisme. Parmi les mesures annoncées figure la fermeture des hébergements d'urgence pour les transformer en motels touristiques. Chanz Mikaere y voit une nouvelle forme d'exclusion : « J'ai été sans-abri à un moment de ma vie, mais j'ai pu passer trois mois dans un de ces logements d'urgence. C'est notre normalité en tant que Maoris, c'est la vie en communauté, le partage de nos ressources comme dans une grande famille. Mais actuellement, nous sommes dans le capitalisme, qui provoque l'exact opposé. » L'essor du tourisme à Rotorua entraîne une véritable gentrification menaçant directement la communauté maorie, surreprésentée dans les catégories les plus pauvres de la population. À lire aussiChanz Mikaere, la voix rebelle des terres maories

ON TODAYS SHOW K'Lee, Azura & Charlie got to catch up with Rotorua legend, Colin Dorreen, who had gone viral for his heart of gold. Charlie's kids have decided they're too cool for him. Plus, it's Tuesday which means CLICKBAIT. For more, follow our socials: Instagram Facebook TikTokSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kelly discusses parking tickets, a local police officer and a haircut, a family urging action over driving while tired after daughter is killed in crash and a netball tournament marks 90 years.

Marae are often on the front line of natural disasters, opening their doors to shelter the community and at times hit hard by floods themselves. PhD researcher Haukapuanui Vercoe was recently recognised with the 2025 New Zealand Esri Young Scholar Award. Vercoe also recently represented Aotearoa at the Esri User Conference in San Diego, showcasing how Indigenous knowledge and technology can work together to strengthen marae, whanau, hapu, and iwi resilience against natural hazards. He talks to Susie from his home in Rotorua.

Kelly reports on a high profile murder trial plus the relaunch of the Lakeland Queen paddle steamer and Steven Adams lends a bit of advice to school children during a basketball camp. Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist with the Rotorua Daily Post

Big Truss Tuesday We didn't reflect on the weekend that was yesterday and felt that those moments needed to be reflected on... Rotorua and Wellington, you were spiritual and it really made us realise that this, this is more than a podcast... Rubbish, it's everywhere! Well not quite, because in some places, they are running out of it!... Time to recharge the batteries before we take on the last two shows of the Tour!... Thank You. Hit that link below to stay caught up with anything and everything TMS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/groups/3394787437503676/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We dropped some merch! Use TMS for 10% off. Here is the link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youknowclothing.com/search?q=tms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you to the team at Chemist Warehouse for helping us keep the lights on, here at The Morning Shift... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.chemistwarehouse.co.nz/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 00:00 - Intro 3:32- Check In 9:03 - Bargain Box Daily Bread 17:00 - No More Rubbish? 22:39 - More Than Just A Podcast 34:41 - Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mají špatný zrak, skvělý čich, silné nohy a žádná křídla. Roztomilých ptáků kivi byl dřív na Novém Zélandu až milion, teď jich přežívá jen asi 70 tisíc. Šanci potkat je ve volné přírodě mají jen opravdoví šťastlivci. A trochu štěstí potřebujete i při návštěvách záchranných stanic, jako je třeba ta při návštěvnickém centru v městě Rotorua.Všechny díly podcastu Zápisník zahraničních zpravodajů můžete pohodlně poslouchat v mobilní aplikaci mujRozhlas pro Android a iOS nebo na webu mujRozhlas.cz.

Ehhh kia ora e te homies! Here's what you missed on the show today: Nickson turns 40 today! Arju our webgirl made a very hectic spelling error on a video…it’s still up. What has made you never want to go back to someone’s house? Rotorua. What is your beef with us? Nickson gets to give out his mayoral budget! A.R.T in studio off the back of winning big at the Pacific Music Awards last night! Fame can’t do his top button up. Shot for listening, From Eds (or Eric) xoxo

Big Truss Tuesday It felt like it was only the other day when we announced that we were going on tour and now we have reached the half way mark!... Gizzy and Hamilton, we thank you, Rotorua and Wellington, We will be seeing YOU soon!... You can relax in todays show, because we open the doors to one of the safest places on earth, where no questions are asked and no judgment is passed... Safe Space... Matua Marc felt it was only right to take a swing with what your birth month means... This time round it is what your public and personalities entail based off of your birth month... Hit that link below to stay caught up with anything and everything TMS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/groups/3394787437503676/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We dropped some merch! Use TMS for 10% off. Here is the link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youknowclothing.com/search?q=tms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you to the team at Chemist Warehouse for helping us keep the lights on, here at The Morning Shift... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.chemistwarehouse.co.nz/⁠⁠⁠⁠ 00:00 - Intro 2:49 - Check In 10:34 - Bargain Box Daily Bread 16:14 - Safe Space 24:45 - Public Vs Private Personalities 36:16 - Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4000 runners head to Rotorua this weekend for the city's forest race  - a big boost for the local economy  

The maker of sleeping pods being used to house some of the homeless in Rotorua has said it is disheartening to see the project just tossed to the side. Julie King of Love Soup came up with the idea to use some of Tuff Roto-Moulders' pods - which are insulated, lockable and traditionally used for camping to create her Village of Hope. Rotorua has been grappling with a large homeless population in recent years, and the project's aim was to keep people safe through a community-based solution. Issues with council and land have forced an end to the project. Maker of the pods, Hilton McLachlan spoke to Lisa Owen.

A man of many talents, Cliff Curtis is a Hollywood star hailing all the way from Rotorua. He's known for his metamorphosis, carving out credits in a mixture of major franchises and more personal productions, and his latest project feels like a blend of both. Curtis is starring in Jason Momoa's ‘Chief of War', which tells a tale of the turn of the 18th century, when the four kingdoms of Hawai'i were at war. He told Jack Tame he's very proud and humbled to be a part of this production. “As a storyteller in the screen industry for the last three decades at least, we've managed to tell a variation of stories from our small corner of the world,” Curtis said. “But you know, this series, when led by the likes of Jason Momoa and his co-creator Thomas Pa‘a Sibbett, they can bring scale to the narrative.” “It's a big deal for us.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Rotorua resident wants the police to use drones to track dirt bike riders ripping up parks and reserves, after there was a spike in the number of bikes and cars illegally tearing up grounds across the country. Rotorua resident, Ryan Gray spoke to Lisa Owen.

There is growing discontent in Rotorua about the state of the Ohau channel diversion wall which is meant to protect the pristine waters of Lake Rotoiti. Libby Kirkby-McLeod reports.

Rotorua has been hosting the only science fair that celebrates the combination of Māori knowledge and science. Reporter Libby Kirkby-McLeod went to check it out.

Contingency measures drawn up by concerned Taupo Hospital clinicians show plans to move patients to Rotorua Hospital if staff shortages forced Taupo's clinic to close. The hospital, which serves a population of 40,000 people in the tourist region, has struggled to attract enough senior doctors to fill its roster. This forced the hand of workers to plan for the worst. Reporter Jimmy Ellingham obtained a copy of the Escalation and Closure Plan for Taupo Hospital and spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

A spike in the number of bikes and cars illegally ripping up parks is being reported across the country. Tauranga, Rotorua and Auckland councils are among those who have said thousands of ratepayer dollars is having to be used to fix sports field and public reserves. The fine for driving on a reserve without permission depends on individual bylaws but is usually up to $800. Police could also charge for dangerous driving, which could be up to $4,500. Auckland Council's General Manager of Parks and Community Facilities Taryn Crewe spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.    

A Rotorua organisation providing sleeping pods for the city's homeless says they're being held back by council insisting that they get consents. The Village of Hope has been set up in a secret location by the group Love Soup, which says it's an effort to give the city's homeless somewhere safe to sleep and to move them away from CBD shop fronts. Rotorua has been grappling with a large homeless population in recent years, and last month a large number of homeless people were trespassed from a makeshift camp in the CBD. It also comes as a controversial programme that uses the city's motels as emergency housing is phased out. Julie King from Love Soup spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Kelly discusses how Rotorua's homeless are being taken at night to sleep in small pods at a remote area, street racer problems near Mamaku and the planned return of the paddleboat, the Lakeland Queen, to Lake Rotorua. Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist with the Rotorua Daily Post

The true story of Rotorua soldier Captain Roger Dansey is being brought to life in Wellington Opera's performance Mate Ururoa. Written by acclaimed New Zealand composer Dame Gillian Whitehead, it tells the true story of Roger Ingram Te Kepa Dansey, engineer and Maori All Black, who enlisted when Britain declared war on Germany in 1914 and was one of the five hundred strong "Native Contingent". His war story is first about the humiliation faced by Maori soldiers, his heroism at Gallipoli, but then being accused of desertion and sent home in disgrace. Whitehead wrote the libretto in te reo Maori and English for US-based Maori baritone David Tahere, who plays Roger Dansey, and is a member of his whanau. Directed by Sara Brodie, the opera was originally supposed to premiere in 2021 at New York's Carnegie Hall - but this was cancelled due to the pandemic. Instead the world premiere will be in Wellington this weekend. Dame Gillian Whitehead, Sara Brodie and David Tahere are in the Wellington studio.

Two more Rotorua motels will stop being contracted for emergency housing from the end of the month, leaving only four remaining. Libby Kirkby-McLeod reports.

Drones will be taking to the skies in Rotorua tonight to celebrate Matariki. At 8pm the light-up drones will perform a choreographed routine, with watchers on the ground able to see their movements as they whiz through the sky. Aronui Arts Festival trustee June Northcroft Grant spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

This podcast description was blatantly written by AI... Join Clint, Meg, and Dan in this episode as they explore the hilarious world of men writing erotic fiction for the female gaze with special guest Ash London. They also introduce a catchy new anthem for Rotorua, crafted entirely from listener suggestions. Plus, a tribute to their outgoing boss, Casey, with a look back at some of his most memorable moments. Don't miss out on stories from labor and a deep dive into Dan's Google history! 00:00 Welcome to the Clint Meg & Dan Podcast03:19 Matariki and Cultural Discussions05:41 Justin Timberlake Throwback13:46 McDonald's Orders and Listener Engagement17:23 TikTok Trends and Scenarios23:45 Men Writing Erotic Fiction37:04 Unexpected Bestseller Reaction37:47 Honorary Oscars Discussion41:45 Dan's Google History Revealed47:24 Coincidental Stories55:12 10K Money Challenge57:12 Dan's Postcode Playlist01:05:56 Labor Stories01:11:16 Farewell to Boss Casey

Kelly updates Kathryn on the latest events in Rotorua.

Guy is beaming in from a hotel room in Australia and Tim is connecting via satellite from beautiful Rotorua on very little sleep, a decent amount of horse tranquilliser and donning a fetching aquamarine dress. But it's not about the boiz, it's about Lisa Todd Wexley and Charlotte York Goldenblatt teeing up with none other than Kristen Schaal to participate in the futile activity of enrolling their kids into an ivy league college. Carrie is a prisoner in her own empty mansion and may soon also be a prisoner of thousands of New York's finest rats, who have already eaten her entire garden. What's going on with Seema? Glad you asked! She's enlisted the help of Grown Ups 2's very own Sherri O'Terry to try and find a suitable suitor but forget all of that because the most important thing is - This show has a new hottie and his name is Adam. Aiden should be worried about his alliterative competitor.Full video episode available at twioat.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

11 year old Rotorua schoolgirl Gracie Bradley has won the lead role in Auckland Theatre company's production of Annie. She's one of three young starlets filling the role. Now she is juggling school and commuting to Auckland for rehearsals at least three times a week before the show opens later this month at the Bruce Mason theatre. Gracie Bradley spoke to Lisa Owen.

"Compassion isn't convenient or easy."Christian Dawson, Pastor of Worship at Bridgetown Church, explores the parable of the Good Samaritan, challenging us to embody love and lean into compassion for others, even when it's inconvenient. Key Scripture Passage: Luke 10v25-37This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Adam from New Braunfels, Texas; Liz from Tihiotonga, Rotorua; Melissa from Hastings, Minnesota; James from Irving, Texas; and Megan from Norwich, Norfolk. Thank you all so much!If you'd like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.