Podcasts about south westland

"Stitching Central Otago to the wonders of South Westland, the Haast Pass Highway is what epic roadies are all about. The Haast region is the centrepiece of Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage area. As the last mountain pass to be constructed over the Southern Alps and only fully chip-sealed in 1995, this 140km-long panoramic alpine pass still exudes a “final frontier” sense of escapism as it threads its way through South Westland's primeval forests. The route had long been used by Māori warriors and greenstone (pounamu) gatherers, as they traversed the Main Divide." Read Mike's full article here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TeamCPNZ Connect – Ep 26 – Alice Buchanan– CPNZ Media LiveAlice Buchanan completed the True West Adventure Race last weekend along with Team Mates - Steven Muff, Andrew Davidson, and Husband, Liam Buchanan. We talk to Alice about her build-up and what a broken hand and a rehabbing Hamstring meant to get to the start line and if they achieved their goal of still being friends on the finish line after pretty gnarly adventure in South Westland.CPNZ MEDIARichard Greer – @ric.greerhttps://www.teamcp.co.nz@teamcpnzhttps://www.facebook.com/teamcpnzrichard@teamcp.co.nz

JOIN THE STAG ROAR COMMUNITY⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This episode has been published and can be heard everywhere your podcast is available. https://www.stagroar.co.nz/ In these Mini-Podcasts we explore The Alpine Chamois from D.Bruce Banwell's "The Alpine Chamois" New Zealand Big Game Records Series With Permission of The Halcyon Press. 

Nature is putting on a spectacular display in South Westland where Rata trees are in full bloom.

JOIN THE STAG ROAR COMMUNITY⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This episode has been published and can be heard everywhere your podcast is available. https://www.stagroar.co.nz/ In these Mini-Podcasts we explore The Alpine Chamois from D.Bruce Banwell's "The Alpine Chamois" New Zealand Big Game Records Series With Permission of The Halcyon Press. 

JOIN THE STAG ROAR COMMUNITY⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This episode has been published and can be heard everywhere your podcast is available. https://www.stagroar.co.nz/ In these Mini-Podcasts we explore The Red Deer from D.Bruce Banwell's "The Red Deer" New Zealand Big Game Records Series With Permission of The Halcyon Press. 

JOIN THE STAG ROAR COMMUNITY⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This episode has been published and can be heard everywhere your podcast is available. https://www.stagroar.co.nz/ In these Mini-Podcasts we explore The Red Deer from D.Bruce Banwell's "The Red Deer" New Zealand Big Game Records Series With Permission of The Halcyon Press. 

Police are warning motorists to take extreme care as weather warnings grip parts of the country tonight. The South Westland District has been battered by rain over the last 24 hours. State Highway Six.. which runs along the spine of the west coast of the South Island has been hammered by bad weather and will be closed overnight between Makarora and Franz Josef. Residents say they are well prepared for heavy rain but are braced for more to come. Maia Ingoe is on the West Coast.

JOIN THE STAG ROAR COMMUNITY⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This episode has been published and can be heard everywhere your podcast is available. https://www.stagroar.co.nz/ In these Mini-Podcasts we explore The Red Deer from D.Bruce Banwell's "The Red Deer" New Zealand Big Game Records Series With Permission of The Halcyon Press. 

JOIN THE STAG ROAR COMMUNITY⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This episode has been published and can be heard everywhere your podcast is available. https://www.stagroar.co.nz/ In these Mini-Podcasts we explore The Red Deer from D.Bruce Banwell's "The Red Deer" New Zealand Big Game Records Series With Permission of The Halcyon Press. 

"South Westland's natural splendour seems to grow in awe-inspiring intensity the further south you go. There's a fairytale quality to the sense of escapism, as you drive through those long and leafy highway glades, where the forest canopy drapes across the road. I wended my way to Whataroa, where nesting is the star attraction. Just out of Whataroa, the rare white heron/kōtuku nest at the Waitangiroto Nature Reserve from September to March." "Just 25 minutes south from Whataroa, Ōkārito is an irresistibly laidback hamlet, like a world unto itself. On arrival, you're rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the towering jaws of the Southern Alps, the roar of the ocean, the magnificent lagoon, striking sea cliffs and vast, lush forest in this heart-stealing eco-wonderland." "The twin glaciers, Franz Josef and Fox are revered as being two of the most accessible glaciers in the world, plunging down from the Southern Alps, wrapped in rainforest, almost to sea level. Descending from 3000 metres, Franz Josef Glacier terminates just 240 metres above sea level, and just 19km from the coast. The terminal face of Fox, which is the longest of the West Coast glaciers, is only 12km from the Tasman Sea. It's what makes Franz Josef and Fox so exceptional – you'd struggle to find many glaciers so close to the ocean." Read Mike's full article here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"One of my favourite Kiwi road trips can be mistaken as an unsung feeder route in South Westland, stitching the West Coast's Glacier Country to the glittery allure of Wanaka and Queenstown. Rushing is the problem. Anyone who races through the ravishing Haast Pass Highway is unwittingly short-changing themselves. Set aside the time to devour its epic glories. As the last mountain pass to be constructed over the Southern Alps and only fully chip-sealed in 1995, this 140km-long panoramic alpine pass still exudes a “final frontier” sense of escapism as it threads its way through South Westland's primeval forests. The route had long been used by Māori warriors and greenstone (pounamu) gatherers, as they traversed the Main Divide." Read Mike's full article here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Conservation Department is concerned about two reported wallaby sightings on the West Coast of the South Island in recent months. The pests threaten the environment and biodiversity, and can have a major economic impact. The department's South Westland operations manager, Wayne Costello, says the only way a wallaby could have reached the West Coast was with human help. Costello spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

JOIN THE STAG ROAR COMMUNITY⁠⁠ This episode has been published and can be heard everywhere your podcast is available. https://www.stagroar.co.nz/ In these Mini-Podcasts we explore The Red Deer from D.Bruce Banwell's "The Red Deer" New Zealand Big Game Records Series With Permission of The Halcyon Press. 

Richard Rayward has an incredible 60 years of aviation history that began back in 1966 when he quit his job and moved to live in a remote high altitude area of South Westland to hunt venison. With him he took his new wife, his new Cessna 180, and 70 hours total flight time. Since then he has created and stills runs (with his family) Air Safaris based in Tekapo. NOTE: I do apologise for the very average video quality in this interview. I am investing in new lighting equipment and upskilling myself to do my best to improve in the future. For this reason I have decided to not include the first few minutes of this interview which had some serious focussing issues due poor lighting conditions. 0:00 Introduction 1:26 Previous career 7:56 Mark's Flat/Learning to Fly 26:38 Venison Recovery with C180 34:34 Tony Hawker 41:23 Formation of Air Safaris 1:03:56 Pilatus Porter 1:06:30 Ski Planes 1:08:56 GAF Nomad 1:18:03 Dealing with Civil Aviation 1:22:22 IFR Operations 1:28:08 Franz Josef Operation 1:31:54 1998 Accident 1:42:58 Airvan, Caravan, Helicopters 1:52:33 New Pilots/Training 1:57:48 Personal Involvement in Business 2:00:08 Coast to Coast 2:03:39 Safety Awards 2:09:54 Taking Risks in Life 2:13:38 Ethics & Leadership in Business 2:20:02 Final Questions 2:23:22 Original 1967/68 Footage 2:34:01 Air Safaris Facebook Photos

Sisters Dayna and Nicole Buchanan took over the operation of the Craypot in Jackson Bay, South Westland in 2018. Since then they have transformed the menu which features beautifully presented fresh kaimoana and produce from local suppliers. The Craypot has become a go to place for visitors wanting a truly authentic New Zealand food experience. The Craypot hosts many passing tour groups but it has now become a sought after destination for helicopter tours groups. Dayna and Nicole absolutely love what they do and have an eye to the future but are mindful of preserving the uniqueness that draws people far and wide to The Craypot.Today we speak to Dayna about how they took over ownership of the Craypot, what it is like living in such an extremely isolated area and winning the NZI Rural Women NZ Business Awards.Apply for the 2023 NZI Rural Women NZ Business Awards here: https://ruralwomennz.nz/nzi-rural-women-nz-business-awards-2023/

The first haast tokoeka kiwi chick of the 2022-23 season has hatched. The notoriously shy and tough bird lives in the rainy and wet South Westland region. While the adult kiwi has a very life expectancy, the Department of Conservation has two breeding programs for the chicks. David spoke to DOC Biodiversity Supervisor Polina Stucke about the haast tokoeka kiwi and its breeding programs.

Scientists have used artificial intelligence to map out how our predator-free dream can be realised – finding that smarter use of current tools could bring us much closer to the 2050 goal. But they've also confirmed what conservationists have long warned: these won't be enough to completely rid the country of possums, rats and stoats estimated to kill some 26 million native birds every year. The just-published study marks the first strategic assessment of how various predator-busting tools could be deployed across the country at scale over the next 10 to 15 years – but matched to different environments. Using machine-learning techniques and sophisticated modelling, the researchers broke down the country into small units, then looked at what methods used in some areas could also work in others. "The good news is that we can achieve much more with existing pest control tools," said the study's leader, Dr Zach Carter of the University of Auckland. "Our research showed large swathes of land in both the North and South Islands will be suitable for traps or toxin distributed by air." The team found that aerially-broadcast toxins already applied to about 12 per cent of New Zealand's land area – or 33,000sq km – could also be used to cover another 26,000sq km. The bad news: predator-proof "exclusion" fences were only suitable for about 500sq km – or 0.2 per cent of the mainland – and 29,000 sq km of pest-invaded land was likely unsuitable for any measures we currently had. In these typically rugged and remote places, poisoning, trapping and fencing wouldn't be enough to wipe out pest populations that had grown in the absence of intensive control. Aerially-broadcast toxins already applied to about 12 per cent of New Zealand's land area - or 33,000sq km - could also be used to cover another 26,000sq km. Photo / John Stone "There are some spots that are extremely difficult to get to," Carter said. "For these highly remote and inaccessible locations, we are going to need some new tools – new technologies, or the novel application of existing tools." The Government's wider 2050 strategy focuses on mobilising groups and setting up collaborations around the country; developing "new and transformational tools and techniques" to eradicate the pests; and then applying these at scale across the countryside. It also sought a "breakthrough science solution" capable of removing at least one small mammal predator from the mainland – and an accompanying action plan to the strategy set out seven specific goals for 2025. A report last year found that just one of those – increasing the area in which predators were suppressed by one million hectares – had been achieved, with others still progressing. But another goal - clearing all our uninhabited offshore islands - wouldn't be achieved within the next four years, and there still wasn't a single science solution capable of changing the game. "Our research shows that there may indeed be limitations in our existing pest control toolbox," Carter said. "However, this study affirms many of the weaknesses that are currently being addressed – namely that we need tools capable of controlling pests in highly remote areas and for extended periods of time." Because we were working to overcome such hurdles, Carter saw New Zealand as making generally good progress toward the 2050 milestone. Study co-author Professor James Russell said there was already "excellent" pest control coverage across the mainland. Work by various groups, like Zero Invasive Predators in South Westland, had demonstrated it was possible to purge pests across tens of thousands of hectares, he said. "I think our large inhabited islands, like Aotea, Waiheke, Rakiura, Rekohu, are the opportunities we should immediately be pursuing for translating pest control over large areas into permanent eradication." Still, that we didn't have the tools needed to even suppress pest predators at national-scale was a "critically important finding", said Professor Dan Tompkins, the science director of Predator Free 2050, the Crown-owned company helping guide the effort. University of Auckland conservation biologist Professor James Russell. Photo / Supplied Tompkins said a focus on scientific breakthroughs was "urgently needed" to ensure the mid-century goal could be reached on time – a point scientists have repeatedly made. Last year, Carter led a study that found current efforts might only succeed in clearing rats from 14 out of the 74 islands they remain on, by 2050. A separate scientific review in 2019 also found today's approaches would fall short, and singled out some genetic techniques – although the most promising ones could still be a decade or two away. One ongoing project by Otago University scientists, and recently awarded more funding from Predator Free 2050, explored the possibility of creating and spreading specific genes among possums that led to reduced fitness and gradual population decline. Other oft-discussed genetic tools include producing a "Trojan female" - whereby all male offspring are infertile - and species-specific toxins, such as norbormide, which could be highly effective and target only rats. But using these in New Zealand's environment would likely require further development, legislative changes, and widespread public acceptance – and the Government has no plans to review regulatory settings around gene editing for pest control. In any case, the authors of the latest study, which didn't look at the efficacy of tools themselves but rather where they were used, emphasised there were many more gains we could make in the short-term. "Much of what we need to focus on is targeting pests at low densities," Carter said. "Tools such as highly-attractive lures – that are irresistible to specific pest species and can draw them in from far away – may be a game changer. "Our research lays the foundation for such transformative technologies that will be used in conjunction with existing toolsets." The purpose of these next-generation tools might be just to remove the last survivors in certain areas – especially remote ones, Russell said. "It might be monitoring devices with key design features such as real-time analytics and response - like identifying a rat has walked past and then delivering toxin while simultaneously satellite reporting this." Carter said New Zealand remained locked in a "war of attrition" with pest predators, which have largely obliterated our mainland native bird populations – while also helping drive 84 per cent of our remaining reptile species close to extinction. "Eradicating pests from New Zealand would benefit these species by order of magnitude in their numbers and locations," Russell added. "But the pest impacts are not only on biodiversity, rats are a major human nuisance while possums are a major agricultural pest through spreading bovine tuberculosis. "The costs are not only the damage they do, but also how much money we spend trying to manage them – costs currently in the millions of dollars per year." - by Jamie Morton, NZ HeraldSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South Westland businesses involved in a Jobs for Nature programme where the government pays their staff to work on conservation projects, are determined to find a way to keep it going after the funding runs out. As well as helping to keep the businesses afloat during the Covid disruptions, more than 70,000 hours have been spent trapping, weeding, maintaining tracks - and even finding an endangered bat species. The government has committed $3.78 million to the scheme and that'll end in June next year. At a recent hui at Fox Glacier many of the more than forty business who've signed up for the progamme agreed that it's done much more than simply keeping them afloat until tourism in the region rallies. Kathryn speaks with Rob Stewart from Skydive Skydive Franz Josef and Fox Glacier, Dale Burrows from Franz Josef Wilderness Tours and Wayne Costello from DoC.

This April, volunteers from all over Aotearoa headed to South Westland to clear gorse from the shores of the stunning Ōkārito Lagoon.

This week's critter is a taonga species on the brink of extinction. The broad-cheeked gecko, Mokoprirakau "Okarito", lives in lush forests and alpine shrublands in South Westland. 

The Environmental Law Initiative is concerned re-classification of Stewardship land is being pushed through too quickly, with potentially disastrous consequences, including that some of our public conservation land will be sold off for mining. Cherished land including pristine parts of the Southern Alps are included in the 2.7 million hectares (9%) of New Zealand's land area that has been designated as Stewardship land and is now up for review. Kathryn speaks with The Environmental Law Initiative's Senior Legal Advisor Allan Brent and Senior Researcher Matt Hall who fear the reclassification process is bearing down without adequate transparency, particularly with regard to vested interests like mining, and that the speed of the review lends to the possibility for disposal. They are concerned a cabinet paper directs panels to prioritise "the assessment for reclassification of any stewardship land where applications are sought for mining access arrangements", raising fears surrounding land's conservation classification and value could also be compromised, resulting in fragmented ecosystems where conservation land borders national parks. For example in South Westland they fear any weak classifications, or disposals for mining within the World Heritage area would endanger its very status. Government-appointed review panels are due to report their recommendations for Westland and open them up for consultation in early May, for a forty day period.. In Westland alone there are 500 parcels of Stewardship land.

South Westland businesses say the border reopening dates mean they can start edging out of survival mode after two years of hanging on by their fingernails. Close to 400 jobs were lost in the area during the first year of the pandemic - a particularly brutal blow for a population of just over 1000 pre-Covid. But from mid-next month Australians will be welcomed back with no need to isolate - other visa waiver countries can follow a few weeks later. Tourism reporter Tess Brunton has more.

Tourism businesses in the five regions hit hardest by the pandemic say targeted government funding has been a boon but not a silver bullet. Last year, Minister Stuart Nash unveiled a $200 million industry recovery package with support earmarked for Fiordland, South Westland, Queenstown Lakes, Mackenzie District and Kaikoura. RNZ's Tourism reporter Tess Brunton has more.

State Highway 6 in South Westland is closed, as heavy rain continues to pile onto the West Coast. Overflow from the waterfalls in the Haast Valley is running down the highway at the Mahi Tahi River south of Bruce Bay. Up to 700 millimetres of rain could make landfall by midday on Thursday. Waka Kotahi West Coast maintenance contract manager Moira Whinham.

It's been another summer without international visitors - the lifeblood for five tourist hotspots. For weeks, operators in Fiordland, South Westland, Queenstown, Mackenzie and Kaikōura geared up to welcome visitors during what is usually the peak season. But did that translate to boots on the ground for businesses? Destination Queenstown's chief executive Paul Abbot talks to Max Towle about what's been happening in the town.

It's been another summer without international visitors - the lifeblood for five tourist hotspots. For weeks, operators in Fiordland, South Westland, Queenstown, Mackenzie and Kaikōura geared up to welcome visitors during what is usually the peak season. But did that translate to boots on the ground for businesses? Our Tourism reporter Tess Brunton finds out.

Businesses in Franz Josef and Fox Glacier are hundreds of staff short for the summer season with many struggling to find and afford workers. A recent survey paints a grim picture of South Westland with more business closures, job losses, poorer mental health and community members leaving. Tourism reporter Tess Brunton has more.

A shark, a penguin and a bloke on a bike with a backpack and a wine box. All part of an epic tale of survival, made possible by a huddle of humans. Two weeks ago hikers found a mauled Tawaki or Fiordland Crested Penguin that had washed onto Monro beach in South Westland in the hot sun. It is the third rarest of the species. One of walkers kept the penguin shaded while the other dashed back to the road where there was cell coverage and called DOC. DOC called Dr Gerry McSweeney from the Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki. He describes the adventure that followed.  

This week, Country Life is on the sidelines of a heartland rugby game on the West Coast - tradition meets passion as four South Westland teams compete for the region's foremost rugby prize, the Woodham Shield. The team also dip back into the files and find out how the little Rockit apple is taking off and taste the final wine produced after following Te Hera vineyard's winemaker through last year's vintage.

Tradition meets passion as four South Westland teams compete for the region's foremost rugby prize, the Woodham Shield. The 71st year saw Fox - Franz - Haast take on Whataroa in this year's final challenge, which took place at Whataroa Domain on a freezing August afternoon.

The South Westland town of Franz Josef has survived floods and earthquakes but the lack of international tourists due to border restrictions has forced many of the town's businesses into closure or hibernation.  

The government has thrown some tourism businesses an economic lifeline and also suggested some of them get out of the game altogether. A $200 million fund has been announced for struggling operators to tap into, specifically those in what the Tourism Minister is calling the most "vulnerable" regions. They are Fiordland, South Westland, Queenstown Lakes, Mackenzie and Kaikōura. The money is earmarked for diversifying certain regions, expert planning advice and promoting tourism activities. Stuart Nash talks to Lisa Owen.

The South Island was the big winner in the government's $200 million support package aimed at helping Covid-19-struck tourism businesses through international border closures. At an industry conference in Ōtautahi this morning, the Tourism Minister outlined a financial package for operators. Half of that funding targets the most vulnerable South Island regions, Fiordland, South Westland, Queenstown Lakes, Mackenzie District and Kaikōura. But the funding came with a clear message from Stuart Nash: the industry must not go back to pre-Covid-19 levels of intensive tourism. Belinda McCammon reports.

The Government's Tourism Infrastructure Fund has been reopened and the regions hardest hit by a lack of overseas visitors will get priority.Tourism Minister Stuart Nash made the announcement while in Kaikōura today.The fund was established in 2017 and last allocated money in 2019 - this will be round five of funding and it has been rejigged to take into account the impact Covid-19 has had on tourism.The final size of the funding pool is still to be determined but is expected to be between $13-$18 million, he said."I have updated the criteria for projects to be prioritised by the fund. It will now better reflect the reality that jobs and businesses in some regions, particularly the South Island, are harder hit by the loss of international tourists than other regions."Applications from the Kaikōura, MacKenzie - Aoraki Mt Cook, Queenstown Lakes, Fiordland and South Westland districts will be prioritised."All councils will still be eligible to apply if they lack adequate revenue sources to cater for visitors, for example if they have a small ratepayer base. Community groups with council backing can also apply."All applicants will be asked to demonstrate the need for support with visitor infrastructure."He said the funding will ensure government investment in visitor projects can continue while they work to open quarantine-free travel with Australia, and other international connections when it is safe to do so."The projects will provide much-needed local employment as tourism towns work to diversify their economies. The new infrastructure will also ensure the quality of the visitor experience is improved for when tourists return in greater numbers."Applications for the fund will open next month.

Avid ‘packraftineer' Stanley Mulvany has spent decades exploring the rugged terrain of Fiordland and South Westland in New Zealand. Most of his routes have virtually no trails or human impact. He also completed a mostly solo traverse of NZ's Southern Alps, in a few stages. He is a retired doctor, now 71 years old and is showing no signs of slowing down in the outdoors. For the last 9 years he has incorporated packrafting into his missions.In this episode, Stanley talks about some of the trips he has undertaken, many of them with his longtime fellow adventurer Gavin. He also talks about his growing passion for writing about adventure and nature.Check out Stanley's personal adventure blog.Podcast sponsored by Alpacka Raft:Alpacka Raft has been handcrafting packrafts for 20 years and has spearheaded packrafting into its modern, more accessible era. All of their boats are made-to-order, in Mancos, Colorado. Whether you're looking for the perfect whitewater packraft, an ultra-light option for bikerafting or backpacking, or the ultimate do-everything backcountry adventure tool, Alpacka Raft has a packraft for you. Find out more at their website AlpackaRaft.comMusic: Original music by Evan Phillips, a musician from Anchorage, Alaska. He's also the host and producer of The Firn Line, a podcast about the lives of mountain climbers.