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A Wairarapa vet has had an onslaught of calls from cat owners worried about their felines catching bird flu. On Friday it was confirmed a Kahu infected with the deadly H-5 strain of the virus was found in the district. It's the second confirmed case in Aotearoa. Several countries that have had cases of the virus have also had domestic cat deaths due to the H-5 strain. Wairarapa vet Dr Louisa Broughton spoke to Lisa Owen.
A second case of a deadly strain of the bird flu has been confirmed, this time in Wairarapa. The bird is a native Kahu, swamp harrier hawk. DOC is already vaccinating breeding pairs from our five most endangered bird species after the strain was found in Australia. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka spoke to Lisa Owen.
A second case of a deadly strain of bird flu has been confirmed, this time in a native bird in the Wairarapa. The discovery follows confirmation on Wednesday that a sea bird found on Petone beach had tested positive for the H-5 virus. Fiona MacMillan - who represents the Egg Producers Federation of NZ spoke to Lisa Owen.
A native hawk in the Wairarapa has been confirmed as the second case of bird flu in New Zealand. The animal was sent to a wildlife hospital after suffering a head injury where the disease was found upon routine testing. Minister of Biosecurity Andrew Hoggard told Heather du Plessis-Allan that they are working with farmers in the region. "From an MPI perspective, we are touching base with all, I think there's about 13, egg producers or poultry producers in the Wairarapa. So, teams getting in contact with all of them just to check, are they confident in their biosecurity measures they've got?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
(00:00:00) Full Show | July 17 (00:01:51) Zespri to ask growers to back Chinese SunGold again (00:11:54) Ups and downs at Temuka's in-lamb ewe fair (00:19:03) What El Niño could mean for NZ farmers this spring (00:34:28) River maintenance falls short In this week's Farmers Weekly Podcast, weather expert Phil Duncan explains what a possible El Niño could mean for New Zealand farmers this spring. Senior reporter Richard Rennie also discusses Zespri's possible second grower vote on Chinese SunGold production, livestock emissions research and urease inhibitors, while AgriHQ's Suz Bremner reviews the Temuka in-lamb ewe fair and Federated Farmers Robert Hickson examines river maintenance failures in Wairarapa.
Piers talks about Masteron's failing sewer network, Martinborough's failing and unsafe main access bridge, and residents of a community near Martinborough cut off by a raod collapse.
A flood-affected Wairarapa farmer has headed down to Kaikōura to help with the clean-up of a bigger mess on his son’s dairy farm.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Federated Farmers' Wairarapa president Robert Hickson tells Bryan that recent rain in the region caused unnecessary flooding as a result of poor or non-existent riverbed maintenance. He says the buildup of gravel in key rivers exacerbated the floods and wants to see agreement reached on how to avoid the same situation in future.
Wairarapa farmer, Safer Farms director, and Farm without Harm ambassador. Today, we look at the fall in farm-related ACC claims and what can be done to reduce them further.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Former broadcaster Paul Henry recently confirmed he plans to run for the ACT Party this election, and leader David Seymour has expressed confidence in him. Henry has announced he's running as a list-only candidate, and has resigned from TVNZ's board. The famed former broadcaster failed in a National bid for Wairarapa in 1999. He says he wants to be a minister - but won't name a portfolio. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The wild weather has jumped the Cook Strait with a large swathe of the North Island in for a drenching. Orange heavy rain warnings are in place for Wairarapa and the eastern hills of Wellington, as well as a number of other eastern areas of the North Island. Reporter Mary Argue spoke to Lisa Owen from Martinborough.
Torrential rain and galeforce winds continues to lash the lower North Island. A heavy rain warning remains in place further north in the Tararua District and parts of the central North Island. It has been lifted for Wairarapa but rivers rose again last night and all bridges into into Martinborough in South Wairarapa are closed for the second time in 24 hours. Reporter Mary Argue spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Anna Dean and Conor English. First up, a quick look at conditions in Wairarapa as a brutal storm moves up the country. Then, how do Labour and National's policies compare on financial support for household solar power? And a lottery committee dedicated to marae funding has been disestablished. Ngati Kahungunu chair Bayden Barber reacts.
The Wairarapa area coordinator for the Rural Support Trust discusses how South Wairarapa is coping after heavy rain swept through the area over the weekend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Locals in South Wairarapa are at their wits' end after flooded rivers once-again caused widespread damage in the region - inundating farms and destroying roads. The washout at Turanganui Bridge - the second time in only four months - cut off more than 450 homes. It reopened just hours ago. Some residents say the lack of river management is to blame and they're pointing the finger at the regional council. Mary Argue reports.
Hundreds of people in isolated southern Wairarapa remain cut off, some without power, after wild weather washed out a bridge and damaged roads. The Cape Palliser, Lake Ferry, Whangaimoana and Ngawi communities had supplies such as baby formula sent in by helicopter today, and they're being told to sit tight for another day or so. Sammy Carter reports.
Hundreds of homes in southern Wairarapa remain stranded after raging floodwaters again wiped out the critical Turanganui River bridge near Lake Ferry. The AA's Craig Bowyer who is also Masterton's Deputy Mayor, says multiple bridge washouts in recent years are exposing the urgent need for long-term investment in the area's ageing infrastructure. He spoke to John Campbell.
On today's REX Daily Podcast, Dom talks with Alex Morrisey from Little Farms NZ about the recent flooding in southern Wairarapa, the damage to the district after the third such weather event so far this year and the parts of the district still cut off... He talks with Phil Duncan from WeatherWatch about what's in store for July, more flooding in Wairarapa and the latest on El Niño... And he talks with Ben Ensor, recently-retired Chair of the Catchment Communities Aotearoa group, about his tenure in the job, the role of the collective and what was discussed at the recent Catchment Communities Aotearoa National Forum. Tune in daily for the latest and greatest REX rural content on your favourite streaming platform, visit rexonline.co.nz and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more.
South Wairarapa locals are again in clean-up mode after wild weather washed out a crucial bridge and caused slips to further isolate small communities. With the Turanganui Bridge near Lake Ferry out of action, about 460 homes to its south are now cut off. John Priest, owner-operator of Waimeha Camping Village spoke to John Campbell.
Dom talks with Alex Morrisey from Little Farms NZ about the recent flooding in southern Wairarapa, the damage to the district after the third such weather event so far this year and the parts of the district still cut off. Tune in daily for the latest and greatest REX rural content on your favourite streaming platform, visit rexonline.co.nz and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more.
Dom talks with Phil Duncan from WeatherWatch about what's in store for July, more flooding in Wairarapa and the latest on El Niño. Tune in daily for the latest and greatest REX rural content on your favourite streaming platform, visit rexonline.co.nz and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more.
After years of improvement, Wellington's air quality is now getting worse. A report has found the windy and coastal region should have some of the best urban air in the world. But diesel buses and woodburners are clouding the picture. While in Wairarapa, some towns are decades away from hitting clean air goals. Anya Fielding reports.
Cam Madgwick is the CEO of Gibson Sheat, a medium sized law firm that has serviced the Wellington, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa regions for the last 100 years.Cam began his career as a practising lawyer and has built an impressive career spanning private practice, in-house legal roles, governance, and executive leadership. Over the years he has worked across a diverse range of organisations and industries, giving him a unique perspective on the legal profession from both inside and outside traditional law firm environments. His experience extends well beyond the technical practice of law, encompassing strategy, organisational leadership, client service, and the broader role lawyers play in helping organisations and communities thrive. Today, Cam is best known for his leadership within the legal sector and his commitment to building high-performing, people-centred organisations. As CEO of Gibson Sheat, he has become a respected voice on law firm culture, leadership, and the future of professional services. He is also widely recognised for his governance and community contributions, including many years of service supporting access to justice and community organisations throughout New Zealand. Cam discusses his background, practicing law in private practice and in-house environments, key leadership ideas and the detail around them and some practical tools that our lawyers of tomorrow could implement today.
Wairarapa-based Nuffield Scholar Lisa Portas recently wrapped up her research looking into why New Zealand's strong-wool sector struggles to capture value despite producing a sustainable fibre.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.You can find her Nuffield Scholar report, here.With thanks to:Lisa PortasGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Hawaiian professor calls Trump's executive order 'disappointing'; A lot of need, but a lot of cuts impacting Pacific communities in Wairarapa; El Nino has arrived the Pacific islands. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Piers discusses how the Wairarapa's coastline fared in this week's big swells, a row over bags being offered to schools printed with contact details of a local MP and the opening of Wellington's Te Ara Tupua cycleway.
A high-profile Wairarapa farmer, health advocate, and celebrated philanthropist, reflects on 47 years of attending Fieldays.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Wellington's mayor Andrew Little has declared a state of emergency for the city's Southern and Eastern wards. It comes as a heavy swell warning is issued, with the public asked to avoid beaches and coastal areas around Wairarapa and Wellington. Dan Neely from the Wellington Civil Defence Emergency Management Office spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.
Waterfront properties in a number of Wellington bays have been told to evacuate with swells of up to eight metres expected. Wellington Civil Defence Emergency Management Controller Sam Bishop spoke to John Campbell. MetService has issued heavy swell warnings in Wairarapa - between Turakirae Head and Mataikona. John also spoke to Luke Tipoki from the Lake Ferry Hotel on the Wairarapa coast.
PJ thinks she may have seen the famous Cantebury black panther in the Wairarapa... plus what's the thing from kiwi culture that would confuse people from overseas? Matty brings up the infamous 'Fish N Chip' school song from primary, and PJ doesn't know it! TIMESTAMPS: (00:00): Am I A Weirdo? Hemi can't go back the wrong way he has just turned... (10:30) PJ does NOT know this iconic primary school song, and also it turns out it's just a NZ thing? (18:15) PJ reckons she's seen the infamous black panther... in the Wairarapa (25:40) Mia, the 24 year old founder of rural dating app, 'Howdy'! (29:00) Would you go to the movies alone? Matty McLean and PJ Harding are New Zealand’s warmest, most unpredictable drive show - perfect for the commute, the school run or whenever you need something to laugh about on the way home! They’re live on The Hits nationwide every weekday afternoon from 3-7pm. Listen to the live show on iHeartRadio Click follow so you never miss an episode! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A state of emergency is in place for areas of the Wellington region due to heavy swells on the coast. A mandatory evacuation order is in place for about 350 homes from Ōwhiro to Breaker bay - excluding Lyall Bay. MetService issued the warning for Cape Terawhiti to Turakirae Head in Wellington and Turakirae Head to Mataikona in Wairarapa. Wellington Regional Emergency Management Office (WREMO) urge people to take the warnings very seriously. WREMO spokesperson Dan Neely told Nick Mills on Wellington Mornings there are roadblocks in evacuated areas and emergency services cannot reach those who stay. Official advice is to stay away from coastal roads, don't put yourself at risk. Neely said these were the highest waves he's seen in his time here. Call 111 if you are in an emergency, and stay away from the coast. Get the latest updates here. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Wilco Lam, chair of the Wairarapa Winegrowers Association and winemaker at Oraterra, joins Chris Scott to explore Martinborough's terroir, wind-driven viticulture, wine tourism growth and the varieties shaping this corner of New Zealand.
Former Minister Peter Dunne says it's time to look at MP allowances. NZ First MP Andy Foster's claiming a $36,000 accommodation allowance for the Wellington family home he bought 26 years ago. He's moved to the Wairarapa, but lives in the capital when Parliament sits. Dunne says MPs should be reasonable. "Fair enough if you're required to commute to Wellington each week to get some accommodation, to get some recompense for that, but not fair enough to simply turn your own home into your home away from home in Wellington when you've lived there for most of your life." National's Louise Upston's also claiming the allowance for her Wellington property. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Wairarapa couple is working tirelessly to preserve the heritage of wheelwrighting - the traditional craft of making wooden wagon wheels and building carriages. Greg Lang spoke to John Campbell.
A teenager paralysed from the chest down in an accident early this year says he's focussing on the positives and working hard to regain his independence as he comes to grips with his new life. Sixteen year old Noah Berkeley hit a sand bank as he dove into a wave while swimming between the flags on Wairarapa's Riversdale beach just after New year. Bill Hickman reports.
Piers discusses the importance of a new maintenance depot in Masterton in improving Wairarapa's train service, the possibility of local council amalgamation.
It's time for Mayoral minutes, where we speak with a local mayor about the challenges they're facing, how they're working to solve them and what makes their community special. This week we're heading to the South Wairarapa District, from where Mayor Fran Wilde joins Jesse.
Devastating storms that smashed Wellington on Monday moved to Wairarapa, bringing down trees, flooding farmland and closing roads. Both regions are under heavy rain warnings, until 6pm in Wellington and 9pm in Wairarapa and a state of emergency. The main route connecting the two regions, the Remutaka Hill Road, is closed until further notice because of damage to a bridge. John Gerritsen reports.
Assurance MetService gave the most notice possible before yesterday's flash flooding in Wellington. The record breaking 77-millilitre an hour deluge inundated the Capital from about 4am. Wellington, Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay south of Tutira still sit under an Orange heavy rain warning until later tonight. A slip's burst a wastewater pipe in Vogeltown - forcing a household to evacuate. Victoria University professor James Renwick says MetService uses the best forecasting technology. He says it's a bit like earthquakes, which are unpredictable, but can be detected as they happen. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Wellington Region is under a state of emergency after being hit with torrential rain this morning. Residents in low lying and flood prone areas are being warned to go somewhere else for the next 24 hours. Wellington and Wairarapa have also been upgraded to a red heavy rain warning, with extreme conditions posing a potential threat to life. Metservice duty forecaster Lewis Ferris spoke to Lisa Owen.
The Wellington region is under a state of emergency after being hit with torrential rain. Residents in low-lying and flood prone areas are being warned to go somewhere else for the next 24 hours, with the region - alongside Wairarapa - under a red heavy rain warning. The warnings are in place well into tomorrow night. Dan Neely, regional manager at the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office, spoke with Lisa Owen.
Parts of the lower North Island are under an orange heavy rain warning, and as you will have heard in the news, rain has already caused some chaos in Wellington. Already today Wellington's Fire and Emergency has responded to over 180 call outs, the interisland ferry service is cancelled, and one person is reported missing. But it's not just the capital that is under alert .. the warning covers Wairarapa, Tararua area and Kaikoura Coast & North Canterbury east of Lake Sumner. RNZ Senior Journalist Ellen O'Dwyer has been out and about in Wellington since 6:30 this morning, she updates Jesse on the latest.
MetService is defending the lack of warning in Wellington, before it was battered by torrential rain and flash flooding early today. Karori man Philip Sutton hasn't been found since his home flooded. Wairarapa and Wellington - excluding Porirua - now sit under a rare red warning until late tomorrow. A State of Emergency's been declared, with warnings to evacuate from low-lying areas. MetService's Heather Keats says limited warning's possible for localised thunderstorms - because they develop so quickly. "You could be 40 kilometres up the road and have no rainfall recorded at all, and then you could be underneath it and then receive 80 millimetres in an hour." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Amid a growing eat local movement, durum wheat is being grown and turned into pasta by an artisan food producer and a group of Wairarapa farmers. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.Find out more about the Wairarapa Grains Collective here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all. Pakistan: 6/10 Mystery of the week. Did they host talks? Were there any talks? What's the talks v BS ratio? Oil: 7/10 Specifically, the Government's handling. Tickets, swaps, deals, and unsolicited offers – this looks and feels like it's in the hands of adults. Labour and India: 3/10 This is why we can be grateful they are not in office for the war. They do little but stall and carp. The day you are against free trade you are basically not a New Zealander. Booze: 7/10 Nice one Kieran, as the kid from the Wairarapa brings the modern world to Easter. Allbirds: 3/10 It's a sad story of a dream that was destined for a troubled end. Shoes are about fashion, not feels, and style, not vibes. Only a very small percentage of people are ever prepared to look rude while saving the planet. LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The largest known earthquake in New Zealand was a magnitude 8.2 quake in Wellington and Wairarapa, that would change the shape of the capital city forever. In places the Wairarapa fault land lifted as much as six metres - with the shore of the harbour rising by 2 metres. Historian Jock Phillips discusses the repercussions of the earthquake with Kathryn.
A Wairarapa man's love for the art of chocolate has won his brand 14 medals at an international competition. Johnty Tatham from Lucid Chocolatier scooped the medals at the Academy of Chocolate Awards. It's been a real journey for the bean-to-chocolate maker who started off in the kitchen of his family farm. Johnty is with Jesse.
Flood-hit residents on Wairarapa's south coast are demanding action after a creek burst its banks during torrential rain. They want the council to open the creek up to the sea so it can drain during heavy rain, but the council says it's not its responsibility. Homes in Whangaimoana Beach were inundated when a severe storm swept across the lower North Island last month, closing roads, cutting power to thousands, and severing communities. Locals say heartache could've been avoided, if the stream bordering their properties had been dug out. Mary Argue reports.
Residents of the storm smashed southern Wairarapa are assessing the damage after their homes and properties were inundated with floodwater. Torrential rain earlier this week caused widespread havoc across the lower North Island, knocking out power and cutting off access to rural and coastal settlements. Hundreds in the south of Wairarapa have been isolated after raging floodwaters took out two bridges, but one reopened last night, and the other just an hour ago. Mary Argue was there.
Some isolated Wairarapa residents are gutted they're cut off from their livelihoods and emergency services after a destructive storm ripped through the region on Sunday and Monday. Torrential rain and widespread flooding has washed out the Lake Ferry Road bridge over the Turangaui River - cutting off settlements in Ngawi, Lake Ferry and Cape Palliser. Meanwhile, thousands of homes are still without power across the Wairarapa region, as well as in Wellington. Ellen O'Dwyer reports.