Podcasts about Rotorua

Liam Messam is one of the most beloved figures in New Zealand rugby. Two-time Super Rugby champion, All Black, World Cup winner, and a 20-year servant of the Chiefs. But behind the jersey is a story most people have never heard.Adopted at six weeks old into a Rotorua family that went on to foster close to a thousand children, Liam opens up about identity, belonging, and the household that gave him everything he is today.In this episode we get into the conversation with Gordon Titchens at 16 that changed the trajectory of his career, being cut from the 2011 World Cup squad and walking through Auckland Airport alone into a media scrum, what Chiefs Mana actually means and where it came from, why Gilbert Enoka personally called him to be part of the 2023 World Cup Human Library alongside Dan Carter, Richie McCaw and Keven Mealamu, leading the haka for the All Blacks after being voluntold by Keven Mealamu, getting a yellow card as a water boy at the World Cup, and completing an Ironman at 108kg with almost no marathon training.Plus lessons from Richie McCaw, Sonny Bill Williams and Dave Rennie, why he signed his last Waikato contract for $1, and how losing his mum to dementia shaped the brain health supplement brand he's building today.Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by the legends at Barkers Clothing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Animaia Payne has won major squash titles including the Oceania Junior Championships, the New Zealand Juniors, and a gold medal at the Aims Games.

A Rotorua retailer has been charged over allegedly selling nangs or nitrous oxide for recreational use despite repeated warnings from police. Police are targeting shops selling the gas following a growing number of incidents involving huffing drivers. Bay of Plenty District Commander, Superintendent Will Loughrin spoke to Lisa Owen.

This week the Moana Pasifika Super Rugby Pacific franchise conceded that their round 9 fixture against the Chiefs will not take place in the Kingdom of Tonga. Short of a last-minute significant sponsorship deal, the game will be played in either Pukekohe or Rotorua. This will be the second time in as many years that the Auckland based team will be unable to ply their trade on the friendly islands. This is wretched news for the fans in Tonga. To have a Super game in their backyard would be a sporting highlight for the populace, to be denied again is heartbreaking for the team (according to CEO Debbie Sorenson) and for the rugby mad fans across the archipelago, all 170 islands....or the 40-odd inhabited ones at least. Emotionally difficult, but fiscally impossible. Even if they could extract 600 k of sponsorship blood out of the stone of our embattled economy, it would be irresponsible to use that money to spend 80 minutes playing rugby in front of 10,000 people. It makes no sense. And it wouldn't make any dollars either. The $600 k is based on the cost of the broadcast; a figure Sky TV won't assist with. Really? That much? Look at the NPC, they film that on a potato, surely they could drastically reduce costs, shoot an inferior product for the good of the people of Tonga. Playing there is a wonderfully romantic notion, and I commend Manu Pasifika for having a crack, but the reality is that that trip to Nuku'alofa is a nice to have, nothing more, nothing less - and that's the long and short of it. Manu Pasifika may represent the islands, but with a Pasifika population in Auckland of 400, 000, this where the focus of the club should be. Tamaki Makaurau is the hotbed of Pacific rugby talent. This city is where the eyeballs are, where the crowd numbers should be and where their success will be built. Sure, as an aspirational exercise for the kids of the Kingdom – you've got to see it to be it – it would be a significant exercise, but beyond the moth filled pockets of Moana Pasifika. I'm under the impression that the king of Tonga is worth a few sheckles, maybe hit him up to cover the costs? Regardless, it's not going to happen soon, if it should happen at all. That'll do. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'This lady in ICU, she put her hand on my shoulder and said "Timothy, God hasn't finished with you yet". Timothy Lee, was a fulltime pastor when he was out for a ride in the Redwood Forest in Rotorua, New Zealand when he crashed his mountain bike. The injury he received caused him to lose 92 percent of his body motor functions. These days Tim is an iterant speaker, provides supervision, is an author and possess an outward focus in wanting to encourage others dealing with challenging circumstances. Hopes, Fears and Wheelchairs - Timothy Lee | Castle Publishing Ltd - Quality books with a positive message Support Sanctuary Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=sanctuarySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's taken a while but we got there at last. Move-on orders. Clear lines of responsibility and delineation for police to actually fix a problem that has existed for too long in our central city areas. As the debate bounces back and forward this week have a look at those who ask "where do they go?" They ask that because it's the easy question to ask. It's the point-scoring question to ask. It's the question you ask when you don't actually have to deal with the problem. The previous Government, who will be one of the people asking that very question, stuck them in motels and ruined entire towns like Rotorua. They stuck them in social housing and ruined entire neighbourhoods, as the agency responsible evicted exactly zero people despite antisocial, and often criminal, behaviour. In other words they gave greater priority to troubled menaces than they did to wider society that simply wanted to get on with life. Downtowns, whether Wellington, Christchurch or Auckland, need help and have needed help for years. We were at lunch a couple of weeks ago in the central city for a birthday. The drugged-out woman screaming her head off on the bench outside was doing her best to ruin everyone's Saturday. The music in the restaurant had to be turned up to a level that you could no longer hear each other talk. But what was the proprietor supposed to do? What is any business supposed to do when you have to step over the down and out, the drugged out and the violent, simply to unlock your door? The apologists paint these people as harmless. They are not. They paint them as lost and wayward. They are not. They are law breakers who cause a disproportionate amount of trouble to people who don't deserve it. As a result of an apologist mentality no one has known what to do, like retail crime and Yaris' through windows a few years back. Toughen up the laws and you'll be amazed how quickly the problem gets solved. LISTEN ABOVESee 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.

We know there are issues with sustainability within the fashion industry - can science help create a better future? Claire Concannon visits the Bioeconomy Science Institute in Rotorua to learn how New Zealand scientists are contributing to a massive multi-national project aimed at shaping the textile industry of tomorrow. Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.Learn more:UPWEARS has their own research project page if you want to learn more.Learn more about how the Bioeconomy Science Institute (formally Scion) is figuring out how to make new materials and products using bio-waste products rather than fossil fuels.The rise of synthetic fibres impacted the wool industry here in New Zealand, although some entrepreneurs and weavers are making it work for them.Guests:Dr Yi Chen, Bioeconomy Science Institute, and UPWEARSDr Robert Abbel, Bioeconomy Science Institute, and UPWEARSSean Taylor, Bioeconomy Science Institute, and UPWEARSLouise Le Gall, Bioeconomy Science Institute, and UPWEARSDr Kate Parker, Bioeconomy Science Institute, and UPWEARSGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Tarawera by UTMB 2026 Recap | Golden Tickets and Key Takeaways Tonight we recap the 2026 Tarawera by UTMB, breaking down the race results, Golden Ticket recipients, and the biggest storylines from the 102K event. We'll analyze how the race unfolded, what it means for the Western States 100, and the key performances that defined the weekend in Rotorua. We'll also be joined live by Robyn Lesh, the women's 50K champion, to discuss her race and experience on the course. Additional guests may join the show as well. –––––––––––––––––– Race Registration Register for The Big Alta https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=130943 Register for Gorge Waterfalls https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=129366 –––––––––––––––––– Sponsors Osprey Grab a trail running pack at https://www.osprey.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=trail%20runnng NEVERSECOND Nutrition Use code FREETRAIL25 for 25% off your first order https://www.never2.com –––––––––––––––––– Freetrail Links Website https://freetrail.com/ Freetrail Pro https://freetrail.com/freetrail-pro/ Patreon https://www.patreon.com/dylanbowman Instagram https://www.instagram.com/runfreetrail/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8MKI1xB8YMchI1764zJXHg Freetrail Experts https://freetrail.com/freetrail-experts/ –––––––––––––––––– Dylan Bowman Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dylanbo/ Twitter https://twitter.com/dylanbo LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-bowman-06174380/ Strava https://www.strava.com/pros/1596921

What an incredible weekend of sport, with the T20 Cricket World Cup, Super Rugby Pacific, and SailGP sweeping into Auckland – more on that in a minute - some of the world's best trail runners hit Rotorua for the Tarawera Premier Ultra-trail Marathon and the Winter Olympics continues to provide stunning performances, triumphs and disappointments, scandals and feel good moments. I've been interested in the chat around the Winter Olympics over the last week. The Winter Olympic Games is often criticised for being filled with elite, niche sports that struggle to capture broad public appeal. Unlike the Summer edition, which features globally accessible competitions like athletics, swimming and football, the Winter Games is based on disciplines which require specific climates, facilities, and funding. Sports such as biathlon (cross-country skiing and shooting), snowboard cross (kind of BMX racing for snowboarders), and curling are unfamiliar to many viewers outside Europe and North America. They demand snow tracks, ice rinks, and mountain ranges - resources unavailable in much of the world. As a result, participation is concentrated among a relatively small group of nations, reinforcing the perception that these are rarefied pursuits rather than widely played global sports. But for me, this exclusivity underscores why these athletes deserve celebration. Winter Olympians dedicate their lives to mastering extraordinarily demanding disciplines under harsh conditions. They train for years in sub-zero temperatures and in many cases risk injury at high speeds as they refine their skills in sports where success is often decided by fractions of a second or points. The limited global infrastructure for many of these sports makes reaching elite level even more impressive; pathways are narrower, funding scarcer, and margins for error smaller. That they are largely broadcast on pay tv in New Zealand also fuels the idea these sports aren't hugely common. But uncommon or not, if you've been watching over the last week, surely you'll agree the camera work has been spectacular and the events have been incredible to watch. My whole family have become obsessed with ice dancing and figure skating - and there have been some serious controversies and sides taken during the week, even though none of us could get ourselves around an ice rink. And really, isn't all sport at the top-end of competition elite - or as we like to call it ‘high performance sport'? On the global stage, rugby is niche. So is netball. The America's Cup is an elite sport, and the coast to coast this weekend attracts a small number of super athletes who will traverse the South Island. Doesn't make their accomplishments any less impressive. The Olympics exists not merely to platform the most popular sports, but to honour excellence at the highest level. That some of those sports are not broadly accessible does not diminish the skill required to compete. In the last week we've seen human resilience, sportsmanship, courage, and technical mastery - all done in what can be very challenging environments. So niche or not, our Kiwi athletes and their fellow competitors represent the pinnacle of their disciplines - and that alone warrants recognition and celebration. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After pouring more than $11 million into a Rotorua motel complex for the homeless, Kāinga Ora has decided to tear it down and put the Fenton St site on the market. One year on since Kainga Ora began its turnaround plan, and it's now exceeding its saving targets. Tenancy satisfaction is rising, vacancy rates are lower, fewer tenants are in rent arrears, and Kāinga Ora is doing a better job of managing its tenants to support safe, respectful communities. Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka joined Kerre Woodham to discuss the successful changes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight we continue our weeklong coverage of the double Golden Ticket race weekend with Freetrail's in-depth preview of Tarawera by UTMB. Rotorua once again plays host to the 15th running of New Zealand's largest and most important trail race. For the second year in a row, four Golden Tickets to the Western States 100 are on the line, with many of the sport's top athletes toeing the line to secure their spot in Auburn. We're going live at 5:00 PM PT / 2:00 PM NZ with Tim Tollefson and Dani Moreno to break down the course, expected conditions, and top contenders heading into race weekend. The Docket Tarawera course overview Expected racing conditions Women's favorites Men's favorites Race Registration Register for The Big Alta https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx... Register for Gorge Waterfalls https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx... Sponsors Osprey Grab a trail running pack at https://www.osprey.com/catalogsearch/... NEVERSECOND Nutrition Use code FREETRAIL25 for 25% off your first order https://www.never2.com Freetrail Links Website https://freetrail.com/ Freetrail Pro https://freetrail.com/freetrail-pro/ Freetrail Experts https://freetrail.com/freetrail-experts/ Patreon https://www.patreon.com/dylanbowman Instagram https://www.instagram.com/runfreetrail YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@freetrail Dylan Bowman Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dylanbo Twitter https://twitter.com/dylanbo LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-bowman-06174380 Strava https://www.strava.com/athletes/

On this week's AidStation, we have the distinct pleasure of speaking with Race Director Tom Heath about the exciting new event on the calendar, Ultra Wanaka. Ali and Matt also speak to the most powerful returning champion, L. Bartholomew of Diamond Creek, Victoria, about her go-to Rotorua trails, Race week self-care, and the update on her Dad, Ash, after his recent stroke. Matt has been accused of many things, being discursive, even downright circumstantial, but one thing he has never been in the 8 years of DCR is speechless. Thanks, Lucy. Really.   Excellent Stuff.Dirt Church Radio – Best Enjoyed Running.​--- --- --- Episode Links Lucy Bartholomew InstagramAsh Bartholomew DCR 247Ultra Wanaka HomeSign up for the DCR AidStation newsletter.Dirt Church Radio on InstagramDirt Church Radio on FacebookFurther Faster New ZealandEnjoy!Music by Andrew McDowall, Digicake

Hello! We're back with another New Zealand episode. This one focuses on our adventures in Hobbiton and the Redwood Experience in Rotorua. We also talk about Hamnet, Weapons and Shelby's love of bubbly water. Enjoy!

Two local women lost in the Mt Maunganui landslide, the release of a man convicted of snatching a toddler, local irritation over uncared-for roadside gardens and the worrying items confiscated at Rotorua and Tauranga courts.

A man who snatched a 3-year-old girl from a Rotorua daycare centre with the intention to rape her will be released from jail in just over six weeks after serving one year in jail. His release comes under strict conditions including six months of standard release conditions, and he must adhere to other special conditions set out in his probation report. This case has raised questioins around sentencing discounts going too far, and Criminal Lawyer Steve Cullen told Tim Beveridge that it's a difficult task to balance sentencing discounts with maintaining a streamlined judicial system. He also added that any moves from the government to limit the discretion of Judges is not helpful for the system. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The search for those unaccounted for in the Mount Maunganui landslide has entered its fourth day - although now the operation is in a recovery phase. Six people are unaccounted for after a large slip swept through the Beachside Holiday Park at the base of the mountain. They include two Pakuranga College students who are aged 15, two 71-year-old friends from Rotorua, a 50-year-old Morrinsville school tutor, and a 20-year-old Swedish tourist. Police say it's highly unlikely any of the six are alive, and some human remains have been found at the site. The council says there will be an independent review into how the disaster happened and what decisions were made. Police Senior Constable Barry Shepherd, who is leading the search for police, says it's a huge operation. "There's a lot of dirt, a lot of mud, and there's some people in there somewhere. And we are desperately looking for them, it's a big job." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The recovery efforts are continuing at the Mount Maunganui landslide as families and friends of the six missing victims grieve their loved ones. Those still missing include two Pakuranga College students, two 71-year-old friends from Rotorua, a Morrinsville school tutor, and a Swedish tourist. The operation has now switched from rescue to recovery. NZ Herald senior investigative reporter Michael Morrah, who's been in Mount Maunganui, says emergency crews are now moving to what's known as a 'de-layering' exercise. "This is where they are taking tonnes of debris and they are moving it to one side and they are meticulously going through this, looking for human remains." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us your feedback — we're listeningJoshua 1:9 — Jesus, Quiet My Mind Tonight and Surround Me With Your Peace From London to Rotorua, Chicago, Zurich, Tel Aviv, and Christchurch — this night prayer strengthens those battling intrusive thoughts, emotional weight, and fear of tomorrow. Joshua 1:9 (NIV): “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged…” Psalm 23:4 (NIV): “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…” Jesus, as the night settles across Rotorua, New Zealand, and the nations, You see the thoughts that refuse to quieten, the fears that surface when everything grows still, the emotional weight carried through the day, the dread of tomorrow, the tightness in the chest, and the longing for rest that finally settles the mind. These mirror the exact global and NZ search behaviours tonight: night prayer for intrusive thoughts, Jesus calm my thoughts before sleep, prayer for emotional rest, I can't switch off my mind, fear of tomorrow, prayer for deep peace, help me sleep without anxiety, Jesus protect me tonight, prayer for mental stillness, night encouragement devotional. Jesus, breathe peace into every racing thought, rest into every tight place in the heart, strength into every weary part of the mind, and courage into every space where fear has been speaking too loudly. Let Your presence surround me like a shield. Let Your voice settle every storm within me. Let Your promises guard my inner world. Let the Shepherd lead me beside still waters and steady my breath until Your rest fills me fully. Bless Rotorua tonight with healing for exhausted minds, comfort for troubled hearts, restoration for families, protection over the city, peace over neighbourhoods, strength for every person facing another difficult tomorrow, and hope rising across New Zealand as the night deepens. I declare. Jesus is with me, peace is entering my thoughts, fear is losing its grip, rest is flowing into my body, my mind is steadied, my heart is strengthened, tomorrow is held by God, and I will sleep under His covering with courage and confidence.  Joshua 1:9 night prayer, Rotorua devotional, prayer for intrusive thoughts, Psalm 23 comfort, global night prayer, NZ spiritual encouragement, V3 ultra plus max prayerSupport the showFor more inspiring content, visit RBChristianRadio.net — your home for daily devotionals, global prayer, and biblical encouragement for every season of life. We invite you to connect with our dedicated prayer hub at DailyPrayer.uk — a place where believers from every nation unite in prayer around the clock. If you need prayer, or would like to leave a request, this is the place to come. Our mission is simple: to pray with you, to stand with you, and to keep the power of prayer at the centre of everyday life. Your support through DailyPrayer.uk helps us continue sharing the gospel and covering the nations in prayer. You can also discover our ministry services and life celebrations at LifeCelebrant.net — serving families with faith, dignity, and hope. If this devotional blesses you, please consider supporting our listener-funded mission by buying us a coffee through RBChristianRadio.net. Every prayer, every gift, and every share helps us keep broadcasting God's Word to the world.

Bérangère raconte la découverte de l'île du Nord en famille.De l'arrivée à Auckland aux plages de Coromandel, en passant par Hobbiton et la région de Rotorua, elle explique pourquoi cette partie du pays est idéale pour commencer un voyage en famille : distances raisonnables, paysages variés et sites géothermiques accessibles avec un enfant.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

An 18-year-old has been charged with dangerous driving after allegedly inhaling nitrous oxide - also known as nangs or NOS - while behind the wheel in Rotorua. Inspector Phil Gillbanks from Bay of Plenty spoke to Lauren Crimp.

Guest: Flight Lieutenant Wilfrid Leopold “Buck” Pound NZ427559 – 21 October 1922 to 27 January 2021 Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 29th of June 2013 Released: 31st of December 2025 Duration:  53 minutes 23 seconds In this Wings Over New Zealand Show episode Dave Homewood interviews WWII RNZAF bomber pilot ‘Buck’ Pound. He spent a short time in the Army in Tauranga after WWII broke out, before getting into the RNZAF. His initial training was at Rotorua, and he began flying training at Ashburton on de Havilland Tiger Moths. Next he progressed onto flying Airspeed Oxfords at Wigram. Upon passing out with his flying badge, Buck was posted to England where he flew more Oxfords, and then onto Vickers Wellingtons at No. 11 Operational Training Unit at Westcott. He and his crew, and his best mate Robbie who was another pilot with his own crew, volunteered to got to Italy. They joined No. 104 Squadron at Foggia, flying Wellingtons in the night bombing role. He talks about some of the experiences he had including a terrifying night when the Wellington was struck by lightning and they lost all their instruments. Following the tour in Italy, Buck was sent to by converted onto Mosquitoes. And he ended up flying Mosquitoes from Malta in a specialist target marking role. After the war Buck got into banking and finance. Buck was a member of the New Zealand Bomber Command Association. He passed away on the 27th of January 2021. Quick Links: • The New Zealand Bomber Command Association • The New Zealand Bomber Command Association Facebook Page Photos from Wilfred ‘Buck’ Pound’s collection, via The New Zealand Bomber Command Association Archive. The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud

Observers may have noticed parts of Rotorua looking a little sharper with berms trimmed, rubbish cleared, and lawns neatly edged. That tidy-up was driven by local rangatahi (youth) who have stepped forward to give their streets a festive spruce-up. A crew of about a dozen young people, led by Waiariki Whanau Mentoring youth mentor Thomas Peato, has gathered once a week through December for a full day of maintenance mahi (work). He joins Bryan for a chat.

A slow weave of some of the past year's Field Recordings, from a child playing in the snow to a brass band playing Christmas carols in the street. Father and daughter build a snowman in the backyard, Copenhagen, Denmark on 2nd January 2025 – by Joyce de Badts Cracking the ice underfoot over a frozen puddle, Low Bentham, North Yorkshire, UK in early January 2025 – by Charlotte Petts Ice on Queen's Park Pond, Glasgow, Scotland in January 2025 – by Katie Revell “Recorded using a contact microphone at Queen's Park pond on the Southside of Glasgow, during a cold snap in January. The pond had frozen over (which doesn't happen often), and people were walking and skating on it. One person asked if I was measuring the thickness of the ice. I handed my headphones round a group of kids, and it was fun to watch their reactions to the sci-fi noises…” Snow slowly melting from a bridge next to Ribblehead viaduct, North Yorkshire, UK in early January 2025 – by Charlotte Petts Listening to the river flow as the snow melts into the water from the fields nearby,  River Wenning, Bentham, North Yorkshire, UK in early January 2025 – by Charlotte Petts Tawny Owls voicing the starry dark, the foot of Dartmoor, UK at 5am on 3rd January 2025 – by Kirsteen McNish “I stood on the doorstep to look at the stars because of the ice bright visibility and heard them calling to each other.” Primal scream atop Bernal Hill, San Francisco, USA on 20th January 2025 at 9am – by Kristina Loring “A group of organizers had distributed flyers in our neighborhood for a timely cathartic moment atop the large mountain park that overlooks the city of San Francisco and the bay. It was organized to coincide with the swearing-in of the newest conservative American regime on Inauguration day. But one's rage can't be limited to whoever is in the presidential office. We scream for a litany of injustices—an endless list that cannot be exhausted here. Many rages filled my lungs that day and escaped my mouth in an inarticulate howl. Beneath the rage was a yearning for: Justice for Palestinians everywhere. Justice for trans folks everywhere. Justice for refugees everywhere.” Dead leaves on a silver birch, Stanton Moor, Derbyshire, UK on 5th February 2025 – by Rose de Larrabeiti “I took myself to Derbyshire for a few days in early February. I walked up to Stanton Moor with my dog Rosie (not named by me!) looking for a Bronze Age stone circle called the Nine Ladies. Nearby were silver birches with their dead brown leaves rustling in the wind.” Babble of Ta Ta Creek spring, British Columbia, Canada in early February 2025 – by PJ Howe “Here is a little recording of our local spring. We hiked through 2ft of snow in the -10 temps to the head of our local creek. Due to the deep cold we are in, the ice formations around the spring are spectacular. The quiet babble of the creek makes this such a special place.” Geothermal mud pools in Rotorua, Aotearoa (New Zealand) on 8th February 2025 – by Will Coley Woodpecker in back garden, south-east London, UK on 14th February 2025 – by Cesar Gimeno Lavin “This morning I was delighted to find that, after quite a few months, this woodpecker has returned! Back to the very same tree. I love how the sound echoes around the garden.” ‘Silence' in Doubtful Sound, Aotearoa (New Zealand) on 15th February 2025 – by Will Coley Steam train arriving and then departing, Haworth, West Yorkshire, UK on 17th February 2025 – by Cesar Gimeno Lavin Walking in the dry, squeaky-crunchy snow on Elm Street in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada on 22nd February 2025 – by Laura Nerenberg “The snow was delightfully squeaky and I took every chance I could to stomp around…” The last performance of the world's largest pipe organ, Philadelphia, USA on 22nd March 2025 – by Alex Lewis “Thousands of people gathered on Saturday, March 22nd at Macy's in Philadelphia, PA to hear the last performances of the Wanamaker Organ – possibly the world's largest pipe organ – as the department store marked its final weekend in business. This is an excerpt from the final recital by John Wanamaker Grand Court Organist Peter Richard Conte. My wife gave this piece the unofficial title: ‘an elegy for in-person shopping'.” Squeaky frogs, Watcarrick, near Eskdalemuir, Scotland on 25th March 2025 – by Geoff McQueen ‘Hands Off' March, New York, USA on Saturday 5th April 2025 – by Jon Moskowitz Nightingales at Knepp, Sussex, UK in April 2025 – by Charlotte Petts “…from my camp out at the Knepp estate last week – managed to creep up pretty close to a nightingale singing in the shrubby hedgerows. Absolutely gorgeous to fall asleep to them calling out to each other through the night.” Cows in Los Lagos de Covadonga, Asturias, Spain in May 2025 – by Sarah Kramer and Nina Porzucki  Bells heard through a window, Vilnius, Lithuania in the morning on 26th May 2025 – by Eleanor McDowall Creek bed, Lerderderg State Park on Wurundjeri Country, Australia in May 2025 – by Camilla Hannan Bingo on a roasting Saturday evening in Derbyshire, June 2025 – by Andrew Conroy ‘Little Tibet', Parco nazionale d'Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise, Italy in June 2025 – by Cosmin Sandu River through wood, Boise River, USA on 22nd June 2025 – by Ariana Martinez “This tape was gathered in Boise, Idaho with a contact microphone affixed to a tree root partially submerged in the Boise River.” Dawn chorus, Lopez Island, USA in 2025 – by Joe Harvey-Whyte Primary night watch party after Zohran Mamdani's win, Brooklyn Masonic Temple, New York on Wednesday 26th June 2025 – by Rachel Humphreys Protest after the vote, Westminster, London, UK on 2nd July 2025 – by Eleanor McDowall Ringing the peace bell, Hiroshima, Japan on 14th July 2025 – by Lisa Hack Knossos Palace, Crete, Greece on 17th July 2025 at 11.30am – by Giles Stokoe Pans protest outside Downing Street, London, UK at 6pm on 25th July 2025 “Hundreds gather outside Downing Street banging pots and pans as Israel's blockade continues to cause the starvation of Palestinians in the Gaza strip. 120 people – 80 of them children – have been confirmed dead from famine as of 26th July. In the last 24 hours two babies have died from malnutrition. Nearly 1000 Palestinians have been shot to death by Israeli soldiers whilst queuing for food.” Goats going home, Sabugueiro, Serra da Estrela, Portugal, late evening on 13th August 2025 – by Katherina Lindekens Gongs, Glastonbury Tor, Somerset, UK on 21st August 2025 – by Barny Smith Waves on a shingle beach, St Leonards-on-Sea, UK, late September 2025 – by Eleanor McDowall New York Mayoral Election Results, Paul's, Brooklyn, NY, USA on 4th November 2025 – by Brian Pester Democratic Socialists of America election night party, Bushwick, NY as Hell Gate NYC livestream called the race at 9.44pm on 4th November 2025 – by Kalli Anderson Inside a rainwater collection tank, London, UK on 10th November 2025 – by Cesar Gimeno Lavin 2 minutes silence from the rooftop of St Paul's Cathedral, Rememberance Sunday at 11am, 2025 – by Joe Harvey-Whyte Unknown instrument in the subway at two minutes to midnight, Metropolitan / Lorimer St station, New York, USA on 12th November – by Jonah Buchanan “Descending the stairs, I was disappointed to see a two-digit number in the wait time for the train. the music started a couple minutes later. they had a pedal and an instrument i couldn't identify. i wouldn't say it was dreamy, and there's not really a synonym i can find that captures it. maybe bewitching…” UK farmers tractor protest on the day of the budget, Rupert Street, Soho, London, UK at 14.29 on 26th November 2025 – by Clare Lynch “16th century Soho fields being ploughed in protest by 21st century musical tractors.” Cows grazing in the fog, Cerro, on the Lessini Mountains, North of Verona, Italy in late November 2025 – by Davide Erbogasto “…some cows were grazing in the field, regardless of the rain, fog or snow. Their bell kept me company through the week.” Crystal Palace Band playing at the Crystal Palace Christmas Tree lights turn-on, London, UK on 29th November 2025 – by Alan Hall First big snow of the season, Pittsburgh, USA on 2nd December 2025 – by Dennis Funk “This first big snow was really dreamy. It started late in the night after I'd gone to bed, and had already stopped by morning. When I woke up there was the shock of a white, white world and a few inches on the ground. I got lost in the stillness of the day, and watched little heaps tumble from branches when a breeze rattled through.”

A Kiwi classic with added convenience. Rotorua has its first hot pie vending machine, stocked with the famous Maketū Pies. All ten varieties are on offer in the machine, which sits just outside the I-site and besides the Redwoods Treewalk. General Manager Craig Williams told Heather du Plessis-Allan the site was selected for visibility, with around 700,000 tourists passing through per day. He says a lot of international tourists are looking for a hot pie as part of their Kiwi experience, and the novelty of the machine will capture attention. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Te Pati Maori's leadership say its annual general meeting in Rotorua yesterday was a great day for the movement. Lillian Hanly reports.

Kiwi actor and musician Jordi Webber has just joined the cast of the New Zealand-filmed series Spartacus: House of Ashur. 

Frustration is growing in Rotorua, with the government promising that a new courthouse is on its agenda, but there's still no action after years of delays. Libby Kirkby-McLeod reports.

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.

Questions to Ministers SUZE REDMAYNE to the Minister for Economic Growth: What recent reports has she seen on exporters' access to United States markets? JAMIE ARBUCKLE to the Associate Minister of Health: What recent data has she seen about smoking rates in New Zealand? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? Dr CARLOS CHEUNG to the Minister for Infrastructure: What reports has he seen on New Zealand's Infrastructure Pipeline? CHLÖE SWARBRICK to the Prime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she agree with Nicola Willis in March 2023 that "National will take action to get food prices under control once more"; if so, are food prices now higher or lower than October 2024? MILES ANDERSON to the Minister for Tourism and Hospitality: What recent reports has she seen on cycle trails in New Zealand? SCOTT WILLIS to the Associate Minister for the Environment: How many jobs addressing wilding conifers did Jobs for Nature fund over the course of the programme, and how many roles will be lost when funding is discontinued? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL to the Minister of Health: What actions, if any, were taken to mitigate multiple clinical portals in Central and Te Manawa Taki regions described in Health New Zealand document HNZ00092045, and when were these actions taken? TOM RUTHERFORD to the Associate Minister of Housing: What recent announcement has he made about Rotorua? ORIINI KAIPARA to the Minister of Housing: Does he stand by the Government's proposed changes to the National Policy Statement on Urban Development? TANGI UTIKERE to the Minister of Housing: On what date, if any, did he make a specific request to the Cabinet Office for conflict-of-interest advice relating to the city link bridge funding transfer, separate from his regular six-monthly conflict reviews, and what was that advice?

Rotorua's mayor is overjoyed the era of emergency housing motels is over - with no families left in them. At its peak, more than 240 households were living across 13 motels Tania Tapsell says delivering affordable houses has made a huge difference. She says the city's recent tourism lift has also helped mend its reputation. "Between building the homes we actually needed, affordable ones, and boosting our economy, it's going to be great. Our tourism industry here is the heartbeat of Rotorua." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 19 November 2025, Rail Minister Winston Peters says he's saved taxpayers more than two billion dollars with his new Interislander ferry deal. But does the maths add up? Rotorua's days as a emergency housing hotspot are officially over. Mayor Tania Tapsell reacts to news the last people have officially left emergency motel accommodation. Health Minister Simeon Brown explains why the Government is banning transgender kids from accessing puberty blockers. Kiwi families are facing the pinch as Christmas is looming, personal finance expert Mary Holm has some tips how you can stretch the money further. Plus, the Huddle debates whether Winston's ferry announcement is convincing. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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. 

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.

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

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.

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

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