Podcasts about Wairarapa

Piers Fuller, editor of the Wairarapa Times-Age based in Masterton.

Every Monday Jesse hits the clubs - what better time is there than after 2 on a Monday after all?! If you have a club or society you'd like him to visit - let us know at jesse@rnz.co.nz

Jimmy discusses preparations at Wildbase Clinic in Massey University to deal with bird flu after the latest case on the Wairarapa coast.

Hundreds of thousands of layer hens are still in lockdown after the third case of avian flu was confirmed in a wild bird. The mosty recent case is a giant petral that was found on a remote beach at Cape Palliser in Wairarapa. Huge layer flocks and broiler hens that would normally be free range have temporarily been brought inside to avoid the virus. Egg Producers' Federation chair John McKay spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Wairarapa cafe has beaten more than 200 competitors to be the supreme winner of the Great New Zealand Toastie Takeover. The Offering in Greytown has won the honour for its Holy Smoke toastie... which is filled with slow-smoked brisket, pastrami, bacon jam, pickles, cheese, sauerkraut and smoked mustard aioli and dusted with parmesan cheese. Bevan Morland - who owns The Offering and created the winning toastie - spoke to John Campbell.

EDITORIAL: I love this story. I read this story in the paper this morning and I really love it. The Castlepoint Hotel is finally allowed to turn the beer taps back on after a six-month dry spell. Its got new operators,and has been granted their liquor licences after a pretty thorough hearing. I mean those liquor licensing hearings, when they've got a bone can go forever. They were questioned about staffing, training, duty managers and how they would handle the occasional belligerent punter. We always get the old belligerent punter don't we, that's a great word. And let's face it, is something every country pub has probably had to deal with since the first beer was poured. And good on them. Because I love the idea of a genuine local pub. Not a flash-Harry cocktail bar. Not somewhere with twelve-dollar bowls of fries or olives and a drinks menu you need reading glasses and a dictionary to understand. I mean a pub. A proper pub. The kind where everyone knows your name. You walk through the door and they're already pouring your usual. I should have got Grace to write, give us the music for cheers on this one, shouldn't I? Where you walk through the door and they're already pouring you your usual because they know where you are. They have Big Norm sitting in the corner. He's been sitting in that corner since the pub opened. You know that pub? Roaring fire in the middle of winter. There's a Sunday roast on Sunday. Someone's always holding court at the end of the bar, always someone telling a joke, silly old dad's joke. You know the pub I mean. It's like Cheers, except it's at Castle Point or the Wairarapa, not in Boston. Where have the days have those pubs gone? Particularly closer to the city. You know, we have so many trendy bars and cafes and wine bars, fashionable restaurants. We've pushed the old local completely out. I'd love to own a country pub in a place like town. Could you have one? Your local. Your local in your suburb that really is your local. Could you do that in our suburbs and create that country atmosphere? Nothing pretentious. Decent food, cold beer, friendly staff and a room full of people who actually want to talk to each other. So, have you still got a proper local? And if somebody opened an honest-to-goodness country pub in Wellington, would you go? Just hang out with your buddies. A $10 beer instead of a $17 beer. A bowl of fries that cost you 6 bucks. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police are urging Wairarapa farmers to take special care when out on the farm this winter meanwhile students of lower North Island high schools are giving up their lunch breaks to get a taste of the primary sector. The rural news with Gianina Schwanecke.

Police are urging Wairarapa farmers to take special care when out on the farm this winter meanwhile students of lower North Island high schools are giving up their lunch breaks to get a taste of the primary sector. The rural news with Gianina Schwanecke.

The deadline has passed, and two amalgamation proposals have been submitted by the Wellington region's councils. The two plans are one big regional council - supported by Wellington City, Lower Hutt, Porirua and South Wairarapa, and a separate Wairarapa council supported by Masterton and Carterton. Upper Hutt and Kapiti have decided to go alone. Wellington City Mayor Andrew Little joins the show to share details of the submission, what's likely to happen next, and how he thinks the government will take on the proposals. Also, the deal with South Wairarapa, and the likelihood of a separate Wairarapa unitary authority. Does he expect the government will accept the proposals as is? Then the Mayor shares his memories of Takapū/Northern Ward Councillor Tony Randle who sadly passed over the weekend. He is remembered as a devoted councillor, family man, provided valued analysis and quality decision-making for the council, and was a staunch advocate for transport services in the city. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Regions including Canterbury, Marlborough, Central Otago, Wairarapa, Hawke's Bay, and Tairawhiti are at the highest risk of fire danger.

Jesse speaks to the citizen science team Fireballs Aotearoa about finding all four pieces of the same meteoroid that caused the fireball over the lower North Island last month. [picture id="4JKBLO2_Fireballs_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

Former Defence Minister Ron Mark is returning to New Zealand First as a candidate this election, standing for the party in the Wairarapa electorate, it's been confirmed. The former MP was the Minister of Defence, in the first Ardern-Labour Government, and was the Mayor of Carterton between 2010 and 2014, before returning in 2022. The party says Ron Mark brings much needed experience and skills, and has earned a reputation for strong leadership. Mark joined the Weekend Collective to reveal why he made his return to the party. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send Us A Message! Let us know what you think.Why are 10 percent more Kiwi homeowners choosing to rent out their properties rather than sell them? And how did organized crime syndicates convert 17 suburban Auckland rental homes into illegal grow houses right under self-managing landlords' noses?In Episode 22 of New Zealand Property Insights, financial adviser Debbie Roberts and experienced investor Paul Roberts (Owners of Property Apprentice) break down fresh June 2026 rental market data from realestate.co.nz and examine critical asset security safeguards for property owners.First, we analyze the nationwide surge in new rental listings (+10% YoY) driven by Kiwis relocating overseas who are choosing to hold onto their properties as a long-term capital buffer. We explore regional extremes including Wairarapa (+67.6%) and Southland (+32.8%), alongside the sharp stock contraction in Wellington (-25.7%).Next, we break down an urgent warning from police and tenancy experts following the seizure of 1,532 cannabis plants across 17 West Auckland rentals. We expose the subtle vetting red flags that self-managing landlords miss—from failing ID software to fake referees whose voices change across phone calls—while outlining how to perform rigorous due diligence without violating New Zealand's Human Rights Act.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.