Podcasts about Taranaki

A Taranaki father has shared his sense of loss and anger following the death of his son in a one-punch assault. About 200 people gathered at the Tukapa Rugby Club in New Plymouth today to remember Daniel Nganeko and join a march calling for tougher penalties for coward-punch-style offences. Robin Martin reports.

A Taranaki man given hours to live after being hit by a so-called a coward's punch is getting behind a march supporting the government's tougher penalties for one-punch offences in New Plymouth Friday morning. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin has more.

Angus Ta'avao is one of the biggest characters in New Zealand rugby, someone who is always good value to be around and has a great ability to bring a side together with his personality.Angus has done it all: NPC champ with Taranaki, Super Rugby champ with the Blues, he's an All Black, TV star, saxophone shredder and he is still playing rugby as good as he ever has! Angus is the ultimate lad. In this episode we get into- Why he has decided to move down to the Highlanders for 2026!- He talks through the moment when he said he'd never play rugby again.- He reflects on "that tackle" where he was concussed, red carded and suspended.- The journey he has been on as a father- He goes through the potential options for life after footy- We chat why he's decided to move south- And of course plenty of random chatThis one's got everything – laughs, honesty and a heap of inspiration from one of the great characters of our game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A cardio test that heart patients in some regions can wait up to six months for can be delivered in days, according to a private provider. Half of all heart attack patients are not being treated within accepted timeframes in New Zealand according to a new Otago University report. CardioScan Aotearoa is contracted by Tairawhiti and Taranaki hospitals to offer cardiac tests and it said more people are paying out of their own pockets rather than waiting. Jez Morris from CardioScan Aotearoa spoke to Lisa Owen.

A trip to Bunnings, a bit of 90 ml downpipe, and a Taranaki farm shed - these were some of the initial ingredients that recently culminated in a prestigious design award for New Zealand drink-cooler company Huski. Simon Huesser spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

In this 1 hour show you'll meet some of the beautiful people who make up Taranaki's vibrant international community.

Business leaders and the Associate Energy Minister have been in crisis talks after a Taranaki manufacturer revealed looking to shutdown production for up to four months because it can't get a guaranteed gas supply. Ballance Agri-Nutrients uses the gas to power its production but it lost its supply to Contact Energy, and said it cant find a relaible replacement supply. The Business NZ Energy Council has long been warning a gas shortage could lead to business closures. Executive director Tina Schirr spoke to Lisa Owen.

In part two, concrete cycle way barriers are tearing up cars in Taranaki. Then, a weekend of sports from archery to pickleball is coming up in Southland for people with physical and intellectual disabilities.

A hit for the Taranaki region, with dwindling gas supply forcing a potential short-term shutdown of a local fertiliser plant. Ballance Agri-Nutrients may have to cease operations at Kapuni for up to four months if it can't secure more gas before its contract expires next month. The company manufactures about a third of the country's urea fertiliser each year. Federated Farmers Arable Chairperson David Birkett told Kerre Woodham it's been an ongoing issue that has just been getting worse and worse. He says that plants like that in Kapuni was built around the gas supplies nearby, and to convert it to another fuel source would be a huge and expensive process. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A gas shortage could force a Taranaki business to shut down its fertiliser production plant for up to four months. Ballance Agri-Nutrients is warning if things dont improve, businesses maybe forced onto an energy roster, with rotating times for production. The Kapuni Plant uses gas to power their production and as a raw ingredient for fertiliser that is used by New Zealand farmers and growers. But a shortage of gas means the co-operative can't get a guaranteed supply and the prices quoted are up to 100% more than what they are currently paying. Chief Executive of Ballance Agri-Nutrients, Kelvin Wickham spoke to Lisa Owen.

Acquiring land for the Mt Messenger bypass in Taranaki has not been plain sailing, but it's given one Taranaki iwi the chance to restore a rare tract of lowland coastal forest. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin has more.

This week on Making Yourself at Home, we meet Anders Roeed, a Norwegian-born carpenter, traveller, and entrepreneur whose journey is all about doing life differently. After leaving school at 16, Anders found his footing through hands-on work, eventually trading Norway for surf in Indonesia, six years building in Australia, and now a business and life in Taranaki. From living in a van to building his own tiny house, Anders has carved out a path defined by creativity, grit, and reinvention. Join hosts Alina and Clara for an honest, down-to-earth conversation about starting over, chasing purpose, and making yourself at home wherever you are.

Former All Blacks and Wales Fullback Shane Howarth joins the show to review round 1 of the NPC 2025 including, Waikato edging Auckland to open the competition, Taranaki retaining the Ranfurly Shield, Hawkes Bay hammer Counites & more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the Weekend Sport with Jason Pine Full Show Podcast for 2nd August 2025, NPC is back! Piney catches up with the provinces, guests including Wellington Rugby CEO Tony Giles out of Porirua Park, Northland's Simon Parker and Taranaki's Josh Jacomb ahead of their Shield challenge, and the Muster's Andy Muir out of Invercargill for Stag Day. Rob Penney called in for a chat about his decision to return to the Crusaders for another season. And NZ Herald League writer Michael Burgess recaps the Warriors heartbreaking loss to the Dolphins. Get the Weekend Sport with Jason Pine Full Show Podcast every Saturday and Sunday afternoon on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A huge third day of week one of provincial rugby's men's NPC. Taranaki is putting the Ranfurly Shield on the line tonight with a clash against Northland. Northland is hoping to host the Shield over the summer, heading into their first clash of the season with some serious amp. Rivez Reihana joined D'Arcy Waldegrave to preview the season and touch on what it means to take on the defending champions in the opening match. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you want to talk about doing stuff that matters, this week will produce one of the great ones. Repealing the oil and gas ban, as the Government are about to do, puts right an egregious wrong – possibly the most egregious wrong of the last Government. What gives this current Government a better than even chance of a second term is the fact the damage done to the economy was done by the very same people who are still in Labour, still running Labour, and presumably will still argue for the same recipe of destruction next year. Megan Woods drove the oil and gas ban under the instruction of you-know-who. There was no warning, no consultation. Just a fateful announcement in Taranaki. It was idealism at its very worst. If we had all the windmills and solar panels and batteries in place it might have made more sense. But as we have seen and felt for the past handful of winters, we don't. Not even close. What has made it particularly galling is that Australia has doubled down on gas. It understands gas is the transition fuel, while the so-called renewable transformation takes place. Australia's gas industry is run out of Western Australia, which is run by a Labour Government, and fed to the rest of Australia, which is run by a Labour Government. And that, as I have said before, is what can make Labour palatable. A centrist Labour party is electable i.e. Albanese's version or Hawke's. The Ardern and Hipkins version look like a bunch of wonks who never met an economy they couldn't wreck. Now, the repeal won't solve everything overnight. Our reputation is so damaged that a lot of face time and explaining has had to be undertaken with potential investors, hence the Government's $200m stake in the game fund. If you ever wanted a living, breathing, tangible example of a Government that simply didn't get it, think back to your last couple of winters where the coal pile is a mile high, the rain may or may not have come, the gas reports keep getting worse, the spot price heads to the stratosphere and your power bill continues to head to the roof. That is Labour's energy policy. That is the Labour Government's idea of a fun winter. Getting that repealed is rectifying a shockingly shallow, ill-conceived idea and a monumental mistake. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People working with the homeless in Taranaki say there are more and more people who need help and their needs are becoming more and more complex. Robin Martin reports.

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

Is it time to consider raising GST from 15% to 18%? Tax expert Terry Baucher joins the panel to explain, before Tane Hawkins of Taranaki explains the secret to the success of his award-winning home made hot sauce.

Students are stunned that Taranaki's largest tertiary education provider is threatened with closure. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin has more.

Robin discusses weather impacts in his area, a potentially expensive mistake arorund GST and the fate of a giant pohutukawa.

Wild weather is lashing the tops of both the North and South Islands this afternoon. A heavy rain warning is in place for the water-logged top of the South Island where, the MetService says, there could be a threat to life. The Nelson-Tasman region is under a state of emergency, as residents there are warned of significant flooding and possible slips. The MetService has issued an orange rain warning for the top of the North Island, as well as Taranaki, Bay of Plenty and Tairawhiti. MetService meteorologist John Law spoke to Lisa Owen.

Torrential rain in Taranaki last week caused the upper reaches of the Waitotara River to breach its banks covering the Waitotara Valley Road in places with debris and silt. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin went to take a visit.

The mayor of South Taranaki says the district dodged a bullet after 280 millimetres of rain fell over 24 hours. Phil Nixon spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Let's start by looking around the motu at the latest on the weather front. This week residents in Taranaki were hit with flash floods, slips, popped manholes and sewage flows after being pummelled by thunderstorms. That's your stomping ground Paddy how did the whanau fear? And further south the clean up is underway in the Nelson Tasman area after heavy rain, which has eased up now - although the area is still under a state of emergency. Tasman mayor Tim King joins us now live from his home in Eves Valley.

People in the flooded Tasman and Taranaki districts are starting a mammoth clean up, after heavy rain caused widespread flooding and slips to farms and properties.The recovery is expected to cost millions. Samantha Gee reports.

More than 1000 households have been left without internet or mobile coverage in Golden Bay during today's wild weather, with residents even unable to dial 111. So far, the weather doesn't appear to have been as bad as was feared for the already-sodden Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough regions still recovering from the weekend's floods. But wild weather has battered the rest of the country, thunderstorms ringing out in Taranaki, as the region experienced widespread surface flooding, with emergency operations centres being set up in New Plymouth and Hawera. Nelson Tasman Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group controller Alec Louverdis spoke to Lisa Owen.

States of emergency remain in place for Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough this afternoon, but the sodden regions appear to have received less rainfall than feared. Torrential rain in Taranaki has caused widespread surface flooding, leaving parked cars submerged in water. The region has been under a red severe thunderstorm warning for much of the afternoon. Emergency operations centres have been set up in New Plymouth and Hāwera. Taranaki Emergency Management group Manager, Todd Velvin spoke to Lisa Owen.   

Taranaki hit with flash floods, slips, popped manholes and sewage flows as the region was pummelled by thunderstorms. New Plymouth District Mayor Neil Holdom spoke to Corin Dann.

Metservice meteorologist Stephen Glassey joins Emile Donovan for an update on the severe thunderstorms in Taranaki and other wild weather around the country.

This week Country Life dives underground to take a closer look at soils, from Canterbury farmers using the Japanese Bokashi system to a market gardener making garden beds as rich as chocolate cake in Taranaki. We also unpack the recently announced biodiversity credits. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:48 - Rural News Wrap 5:52 - Dollars for nature - a look at biodiversity credits17:51 - Bokashi by the Tonne - Farmers turns waste into natural fertiliser31:30 - Roebuck Farm: Where the garden beds are rich 'like chocolate cake'With thanks to guests:Sean Weaver, EkosHayden JohnstonTim Hawke and Murray WeaverJodi Roebuck, Roebuck FarmMake sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A group of students is leading the charge to change the name of Christchurch's Rolleston Avenue, because of the dark history associated with its name sake. The Hagley College students have appealed to the city council to ditch the street name and get rid of a statue of William Rolleston. In 1881, Rolleston, the Native Affairs Minister, ordered hundreds of British troops to invade the Māori settlement of Parihaka in Taranaki. During the invasion village women were raped, men were attacked and occupants kicked off their land. In 2017 the government officially apologised for atrocities committed during the ransacking of Parihaka. Christchurch City Councillor Tyla Harrison-Hunt, who whakapapas to Te Atiawa, a group among the Māori living at Parihaka, spoke to Lisa Owen.

Tonight on The Huddle, Ali Jones from Red PR and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union joined in on a discussion about the discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Christchurch school kids are advocating to change the name of Rolleston Ave because of William Rolleston's involvement in leading the deadly invasion of Parihaka in Taranaki. Is there a case for a name change or should we refrain from erasing history? GPs will soon be able to diagnose ADHD - do we approve of this change or are we worried about people abusing this? Should the Government bring in rate caps for councils? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So having looked at every council in the country and the pending rate rises we are all going to have to pay, a couple of inescapable conclusions are to be drawn. 1) We need central Government to cap rates. 2) We need fewer councils. If you were to roughly use inflation as a guide, Waitomo and Whanganui are your only councils to get under the wire at 2.93 % and 2.2% – so congratulations to them. I'm sure every council could, and would, mount an argument as to why whatever it is they have come up with, whether it be the 12.9% in Taranaki or the 15.5% in Hamilton, is in some way, shape, or form, justifiable. A lot of it will be historic. In other words, if previous councils had done their job and been fiscally prudent the work being undertaken today would not be the current burden it is. But a lot of it if you were DOGE-like, or brutal, would not in fact be needed at all. Councils have become fiefdoms. They have entered areas they have no business in, but like so much in life, once you have ventured there is no turning back. Apart from the specific, like the 9.76% for Otorohanga or the 12.4% for Central Otago, you also have the more general impact. In other words, you are adding cost to the economy, and you are charging fixed-income folk who don't have the money. What you are doing is inflationary. None of us have the ability to simply add more charges. We don't simply get the pay rise we want, or up our hourly rate to the poor sap we are servicing. Life isn't like that. We cut our cloth. Could we buy more? Could we do more? Could we spend more? Of course we could, but we can't. Unless you're a council. Even if a council could say "look at what all that money got you, look at the gold plating and the shiny baubles and the tens of thousands who have flocked to our region because of our expenditure", but they can't say that because none of that has happened. 15% doesn't buy you utopia. It merely sets you up for another 15% next year because councils know a sucker when they see one. So, cap those rates and can those councils. It might well be the most popular thing this central Government does in three years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For schools delivering the lunches themselves, there have been serious cost pressures. But one Taranaki high school says they've managed to have small surplus operating under the $4 per lunch budget.

The determination of aspiring female rugby players in Taranaki is at the heart of a new documentary by Lisa Burd for this year's Doc Edge festival.

A witness to Sunday's tragic capsizing in Taranaki, which claimed two lives, has said the small pleasure boat was side-on to breakers at the Patea bar before being swamped. Paul Mandela said the boat's skipper was thrown into the water while his passengers were trapped in the vessel. A six-year-old child is believed to be among those who lost their lives. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin has more.

The mayor of South Taranaki said a boat accident which killed two and left one in hospital is an absolute tragedy. Phil Nixon spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

A six-year-old child is believed to be one of two people who died when a boat capsized off the South Taranaki coast. Coastguard South Taranaki president Gary Darnell spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Supreme Court will hear an appeal from a Taranaki farming couple who are fighting the compulsory acquisition of 11 hectares of their land for the Mt Messenger Bypass. But in its decision granting Tony and Debbie Pascoe leave to appeal, the country's highest court said the hearing will have a narrow focus. New Plymouth's mayor has denounced the move, which he says will add extra time and money to the already overblown project. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin reports.

Up to three hundred people braved icy waters off the New Plymouth coast on Sunday to protest against the Pātea seabed mining project in South Taranaki. Māori News Journalist Emma Andrews reports.

This year's Te Matatini Festival boosted host region Taranaki to the tune of just under $24 million - $3 million less than forecast but still the highest contribution from a festival. Maori News Journalist Pokere Paewai reports.

Contractors have offered a sneak-peak at two of the main features of Te Ara o Te Ata - the Mt Messenger Bypass on State Highway 3 in Taranaki. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin went to take a look.

Taranaki Mounga is one of New Zealand's about a dozen active volcanos - but what does that actually mean for locals? 

Michelle Bauer from Venture Taranaki's Branching Out programme shares exciting new opportunities for Taranaki landowners to diversify their farming and growing operations.You can learn more about Venture Taranaki's Branching Out, here.You can also find our previous interview with organic dairy farmer Janet Fleming who's taking part in the trial, here.With thanks to:Michelle BauerGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week Country Life moves with the cows on that traditional day of the farming calendar - Mooving Day. The team's also in northern Coromandel where locals have fought back to retain their local post office and finds out about diversification in Taranaki.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:53- On the farm8:34- Venture Taranaki 'Branching Out' across the region15:46- Colville people ensure the mail gets through26:26- From the Archives: My old man said follow the cowsWith thanks to guests:Michelle Bauer, Venture TaranakiPeter SanderMike and Raewyn Sweeney, and Gary CoombeMake sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Like what you hear? Tell us! Leave us a review on your favourite podcast app or join the RNZ Podcasts Facebook group and join the convo.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Robin discusses the latest events in Taranaki including a new high-spec Pouakai Hut replacement built to withstand extreme winds.