Podcasts about Waitomo

The Prime Minister and Finance Minister are urging fuel companies to pass on any oil price drops to consumers, in the wake of the US/Iran deal. Waitomo's chief executive Simon Parham spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Weekly interview with opposition leader, Chris Hipkins; Waitomo boss discusses what US/Iran deal means for fuel prices; Screen use researcher discusses UK social media ban; Economists identify apparent errors in Labour transport policy; Trailblazing surgeon hopes to inspire Pacific women

I was in the Coromandel over the weekend and I was reading their regional paper which still exists, The Informer, and in it was an article by Jeffrey Robinson, who's a local affairs reporter with decades of experience, and he points out the debate that is happening all over the country. The government is ending New Zealand's two tier regional and district council system, it has to happen by 2028 and every district must choose a new unitary council model. The only rule is, well you can't go with the status quo. There's got to be change, there's got to be a rationalisation, it's got to be amalgamation, it's got to be smaller. Now for Coromandel residents, they believe this means choosing between two options. One, create a small eastern Waikato focused council that looks after the Hauraki Plains and the Coromandel Peninsula that reflects the rural and coastal communities of interest, a Hauraki Plains Coromandel unitary authority. Or the other choice is be absorbed into a Hamilton based Waikato super city scenario. Despite not having asked its ratepayers what they want because there's just not enough time and the government has demanded the action, they're all debating it. And the Waikato Regional Council has already said what it wants: one giant unitary authority based out of Hamilton for the entire region. I mean it's the 07 isn't it? It's all got the same phone number, let's all have the same council. Now under that model, the Coromandel with just 32,000 people would hold one seat on a 16 member governing board based out of Hamilton. Hamilton alone would hold seven seats. They have the advantage, they have the influence. Decisions on rates and infrastructure and environmental management and long term planning would be made far from the Coromandel, while a Coromandel local board with only one seat to represent it would be left with minor matters they'd worry about parking and Christmas decorations, but they think they've got bigger fish to fry. And, of course, a Hamilton based super block of seat holders would mean that Hamilton would be able to dominate decisions and funding. Yeah we could do a new bridge in the Coromandel, or we could make sure that new suburb of Peacocke has more stuff. I think we'll go for the Peacocke, won't we? What do you think? Yeah, there's only one guy to vote against it, that's what we'll do. The Coromandel and Thames are very wary of that. This may be efficient, but they believe it would also be unfair. This eastern Waikato unitary council by the way, this idea has deep roots. Back in 2012 Coromandel and Hauraki residents gathered more than 1,500 signatures calling for just that, a council that represented Hauraki and Coromandel, keeping the decision making local. And such a model would return regional rates and jobs and environmental management to the communities they actually affect rather than happening in Hamilton, and ensure representatives live with the consequences of their decision. Thames Coromandel councillors will be discussing this on May 26th. Here's the thing though, have they asked their ratepayers? No they have not, because the government said you've got three months to do this, it's 10 weeks away, you've got to do it, just do it. They don't have the time to consult. Nobody does up and down the country. And this is happening up and down the country. In the Wairarapa, Masterton, Carterton and South Wairarapa are considering a combined rural unitary council because they don't want to be ruled by Wellington. In Taranaki, iwi and local mayors support splitting the region into two unitary councils that represent the natural north south and urban rural division. Hāwera does not want to be ruled by New Plymouth. Waitomo and Otorohanga are developing a King Country unitary proposal because they don't want to be run by Hamilton. And in the South Island, Selwyn's mayor also wants to protect Selwyn's identity because there they're talking about the Canterbury councils merging into a Greater Christchurch super city and they are not sure they want that. The mayor, Lydia, says it's an incredibly short timeframe, we can't consult with our ratepayers but we need to make sure we make the right decision. And they're not happy about it. Waimakariri and Selwyn ratepayers have expressed reservations of being ruled by Christchurch. And this is a real fear up and down the country. The move to rationalise local government could see the big cities and towns grabbing all the power and money. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we're heading to the Waitomo District, located in the south-western part of the Waikato region in the North Island, from where Mayor John Robertson joins Jesse.

Waitomo sheep and beef farmer and the chief executive of Steelfort.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The price we're paying to fill our cars up seems to be easing off, however all fuel is staying stubbornly above the $3 mark. Waitomo Chief Executive Simon Parham spoke to John Campbell.

GP shortage could worsen as student interest declines; Dr Ayesha Verrall discusses calls for health sector changes; Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaks to Ingrid Hipkiss; Waitomo discusses fuel prices; Unemployment numbers higher for younger Kiwis

A belief from one fuel company boss we won't face a total fuel drought. The Government's signed a deal with Z Energy to bring an extra 90 million litres of diesel into the country, to be stored at Marsden Point. Waitomo Chief Executive, Simon Parham told Ryan Bridge it shows there's supply out there to buy, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. He says South Korea has purchased crude from 17 different countries than they've traditionally bought from, showing the market's solving issues for itself because there's incentives to do it. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vous avez dit "bizarre" ? C'est bien normal. Voici la première série de Baleine sous Gravillon consacrée à des espèces animales extraordinairement étranges.Dans cette troisième série "Bizarres", Marc et Marie-Juliette se penchent sur 5 animaux au développement étrange : au moins une étape de leur existence possède des caractéristiques insolites, de la gestation à la fin de vie, en passant par la reproduction...Tout comme l'Australie et la Papouasie Nouvelle-Guinée, terres des Échidnés présentés dans le premier épisode de cette série, la Nouvelle-Zélande est une contrée océanienne avec des espèces endémiques très... spéciales. Vous connaissez très certainement le Kiwi (si ce n'est pas le cas, nous vous invitons à écouter l'épisode de BSG dédié à cet autre bizarre), cet boule de plumes marron au long bec et incapable de voler. Mais saviez-vous que ce pays possédait également des insectes exceptionnels ?Une des attractions touristiques principales du pays est en effet un ensemble de grottes du district de Waitomo, grottes calcaires formées il y a environ 30 millions d'années.Ouvertes aux visiteurs depuis la fin du XIXème siècle par 2 autochtones, Tane et Huit Tinoreau, les grottes accueillent 500 000 visiteurs par an, pour leur beauté géologique certes, mais également biologique : ces grottes hébergent en effet les larves d'une espèce de diptères (une sorte de moucheron quoi), Arachnocampa luminosa, qui émettent une magnifique lumière bleue transformant l'intérieur des grottes en nuit étoilée !Ces "vers luisants" de Waitomo sont classés parmi les espèces dites "bioluminescentes" : elles créent de la lumière au sein de leur corps à partir d'énergie chimique. Mais au delà de rameuter des touristes venus du monde entier, quel est l'objectif initial de cette bioluminescence chez ces larves ? La réponse est aussi simple que surprenante : attirer leurs proies, parmi lesquelles des gastéropodes, des araignées... et des moucherons. Gloups !Mais alors, comment les Arachnocampa adultes font-ils pour ne pas se faire gober par leur propre marmaille ? Plusieurs explications permettent d'y voir plus clair :Les adultes sont peu attirés par la lumière, ils ne se risquent alors pas à s'approcher de leurs brillants petits.Les femelles ne volent pas et les mâles de manière très erratique, ce qui rend le contact d'autant plus improbable.Enfin, les adultes ne vivent que 2 ou 4 jours. Bref, les Arachnocampa, quoi qu'ils fassent, c'est ce qu'on appelle des parents qui se sacrifient pour leurs enfants !___

Over 2000 homes are still without power after Cyclone Vaianu swept across the country. All evacuation orders have now been lifted and many communities feel they dodged a bullet with the storm. The wet weather isn't over yet though - with heavy rain watches still in place for Northern Taranaki, Waitomo, Taumarunui, and Taupō west of the lake. Alexa Cook reports. 

The price of Brent crude oil has fallen sharply following yesterday's announcement of a two-week ceasefire in the conflict between the United States and Iran. Waitomo Group Chief Executive, Simon Parham spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Diesel is soaring past four dollars a litre. Z has issued a national price advisory for commercial customers showing the price of diesel jumping 55 cents a litre, putting the price at the pump at $4.16. It says prices are based on what it'll cost to buy the next shipment from overseas, not what's already sitting in tanks. Waitomo CEO Simon Parham told Mike Hosking it looks like the price will filter through to all importers across New Zealand. He says oil was trading at about $80 a barrel pre-conflict, which has now soared to about $255 a barrel. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Waitomo sheep and beef farmer and the chief executive of Steelfort. Today we talk about great prices on farm, rising international freight prices and why he’s moving to a Halter system for his hill country beef cows. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 30th of March, apparently red tape could be getting in the way of solving our fuel issues so Simon Parham from Waitomo magic wand's it for us. The Prime Minister is in to talk our fuel situation, help for those who need it and opening the Christchurch stadium. Andrew Saville and Jason Pine talk Tiger Woods' arrest, the F1 and the Warriors first loss. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Allowing less pure fuel into the country could shore up supply. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has asked fuel importers what specifications could be relaxed to make it easier for them to get more in. Waitomo Group Chief Executive Simon Parham says there could be a relaxing of the rules to allow more sulphur content in our diesel. He told Ryan Bridge that we only allow fuel with less than 10 parts per million sulphur content. Parham says the US allows 15 parts per million and Australia has relaxed to 50 parts per million. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The price of petrol is continuing to climb, as the conflict in the Middle East rages on. Waitomo chief executive Simon Parham spoke to Corin Dann.

More people have been filling up at petrol stations as prices climb. The Waitomo Group says there's been a 15-20% increase in demand in the past week. Chief Executive Simon Parham says pump prices have gone up from about 10 to 20 cents a litre. He told Mike Hosking it's because they buy their product on a weekly basis. Parham says with short sharp shocks it's very hard to avoid price increases. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Queues are forming at petrol stations as concerns over increasing fuel prices brought on by the war in Iran. International oil prices have increased since the start of the war as traffic halts in the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world's crude oil is transported. Waitomo Group CEO Simon Parham joins Heather du Plessis-Allan to chat about the near-future of our gas prices. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trevor Worthy is a world-leading paleozoologist who has identified new ancestors of the kakapo and takahe among fossil deposits in a Waitomo cave. 

'Beyond the bright lights, city buzz and gorgeous gardens of Hamilton, the mighty Waikato is pitch-perfect for leisurely roadies. It's a province generously endowed with so many enticements, from Middle-earth in Matamata to wonderland underground in Waitomo. But it's also the fact that so many of Waikato's towns are drive-to, not drive-through destinations.' Read Mike's full article here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Million-year-old fossils have been found in a cave near Waitomo painting a picture of New Zealand wildlife in a period very little was known about. 

Waitomo sheep and beef farmer and the chief executive of Steelfort, gives away a Cub Cadet LX547 ride-on mower valued at $6389.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Waitomo sheep and beef farmer and the chief executive of Steelfort, who’s in the business of both growing grass and cutting it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Agarraos los sombreros de espeleólogo porque vamos a adentrarnos en siete cuevas espeluznantes que quizá deberías pensarte dos veces antes de explorar. La Cueva de las Manos, en Argentina, está llena de huellas de manos antiguas en las paredes, lo que te da la espeluznante sensación de que alguien te está observando desde el pasado. ¿Ha oído hablar alguna vez del Bosque de Aokigahara, en Japón, también conocido como el "Bosque de los Suicidios"? Es tan espeluznante como suena, con una trágica historia de personas que se han quitado la vida entre los densos árboles. No se olvide de las cuevas de Waitomo, en Nueva Zelanda, donde miles de luciérnagas crean un fascinante cielo estrellado bajo tierra. Aunque estas cuevas encierran cierto encanto, también vienen acompañadas de una gran dosis de terror. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, I'm joined by Michele, who planned a relaxed, intimate celebration for her special day. Michele and her husband chose Wild Canvas in Waitomo for a small glamping-style wedding with just their mums and two close couples.We chat about:  

Waitomo sheep and beef farmer and chief executive of Steelfort talks about generators, farming and shearing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There have been calls for a review of the warnings issued ahead of last week's weather event which brought down hundreds of slips, closed dozens of central North Island roads, inundated farms and flooded homes. An orange warning was issued, but the Mayor of the Waitomo District and the Minister for Rural Communities are questioning whether that should have been uprgaded. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin was in Waitomo.

On today's REX Daily Podcast, Dom talks with Chris Irons, Federated Farmers Waitomo Chair, about the effects of heavy rain in the district this week, why he thinks there should be more incentives for farmers to produce quality red meat and his role as Chair of the Mid-North Island OSPRI Committee... He talks with Foodstuffs North Island Chief Executive Chris Quin about running a co-operative of more than 400 owner/operators, how its pricing model works for farmers and growers and what factors come into play when pricing goods for consumers... And he talks with REX Producer Jo Grigg about the Alliance Group shareholder vote on Monday, the pros and cons and whether she thinks the vote will go. 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.

All state highways in the Waitomo district remain closed, with several houses cut off by floodwaters, but those are beginning to recede. 

Ehhh kia ora e te homies! Here's what you missed on the show today: Tegs learnt about a button in a car The team were promised cheese sauce but didn’t get any :( Fame put sausages in the oven We guess your occupation based on your car and your name Some drive thru interviews minus the food Fame pushed a car MICHAELA BRAKE on the show talking all things BLACK FERNS!! Shot for listening, From Eds AKA Eric AKA Edith AKA Tofu Sausage

On Monday, four years on from taking his three children and fleeing into the bush, Tom Phillips was shot dead by police after opening fire on an officer on a rural road. His children are now with authorities. Journalist Michelle Duff speaks to Nour Haydar from Waitomo about how Phillips managed to survive in the remote wilderness and why many questions remain unanswered

I've really surprised myself. Because, even though I think it's totally shameful that people have been helping Tom Phillips keep his kids in hiding for nearly four years, I'm torn when it comes to how important it is that these people face consequences for their actions. To the point where I've realised that it's not as important to me as I thought it would be to me. Locals in the area are already poo-pooing the chances of the police tracking them down. Especially if they're going to rely on people dobbing them in or people giving themselves in. Local farmer and former Waitomo mayor Mark Ammon is one of them. He says it's unlikely. He says: "If it was me, I'd be just keeping quiet and hoping whatever leads the police get, didn't lead to me.” He reckons the vast majority of locals back the police, but he doesn't think anyone will pipe-up because everyone knows everyone and, even though they support the police, they won't want to narc. He does say though that it may also depend on the three children's willingness to share information. Which brings me to psychologist Kirsty Ross, who is saying some really interesting things which I think are relevant to the likelihood of them spilling all the beans. In the short-to-medium term, anyway. She's saying today that they will have been told a story that justified their father's decisions and actions, saying “they've been in an echo chamber for four years”. “They will have been a really tight unit. This was such an impressionable age when they were taken and four years is such a long period of time to have one person as their sole protector, provider, teacher. That influence cannot be underestimated.” It can't be underestimated. And what I would add to that is, can it be undone? Can that influence over four years be eroded to the point where the kids are happy to give away details of who has been helping their father? And who's to say they even know? Which is why the likes of Children's Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad are saying today that these kids are going to have to be treated with the proverbial kid gloves. Which is not going to involve much drilling for information, is it? But back to how I'm feeling about the police setting out to find the people who have supported their father while they've been in hiding. And why I'm torn about it, even though I think these people are despicable for what they've done. Here are the reasons in my head as to why the police should go after them. If they provided the firearm used to shoot the officer the other morning, then they have blood on their hands. And by enabling Phillips to keep his kids hidden for so long, this person or these people have been complicit in denying the kids of all the things kids shouldn't be denied – time with both their parents, an education, freedom. I could go on. But here are the things I'm thinking about that make me wonder whether it's worth the police even trying. First and foremost, the kids are back safe. That's been the number one priority, and it's been achieved. Secondly, from what we're hearing, the locals are very unlikely to narc on their neighbours and the people who have been involved are very unlikely to come forward. And, finally, I think because of what that psychologist is saying about them being in an echo chamber for nearly four years, it's unlikely that the kids will spill too many beans. It's for those reasons, that finding these supporters is not as important to me as I thought it would be. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new study into the caves in Waitomo is shedding light on just how our natural land was shaped by volcanic eruptions. Author Dr Simon Barker spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Prime Minister has said the country is "thinking and praying" for the police officer that was shot in Waitomo in the early hours of this morning. A four year manhunt for Marokopa father Tom Phillips came to an end when he was shot dead by police this morning. The search continues for two of his children who remain missing, while the injured police officer is undergoing multiple surgeries. Political reporter Anneke Smith spoke to Lisa Owen. 

A day after the police shot dead fugitive Marokopa man Tom Phillips and his children were found, questions remain about how they survived in the rugged, isolated Waitomo bush country for four years. Rowan Quinn reports.

A private investigator who previously tried tracking down Tom Phillips says the area where the fugitive's campsite was found was where people expected. Phillips was killed in a shootout with police after a quad bike he was riding with one of his children was spiked by police on a rural Waitomo road yesterday morning. Following a large manhunt, the remaining two children were found at a campsite two kilometres away. Chris Budge told Ryan Bridge the area is rugged in parts, back country gravel roads, with little isolated farming communities. He says the area is quite hard to look through, which is why police weren't able to locate them over the last few years. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Waitomo sheep and beef farmer and the chief executive of Steelfort. Today we yarn about the fugitive Tom Phillips, record weaner calf and lamb prices, and why the Dalmatians are on the acquisition trail. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Waitomo sheep and beef farmer (and Steelfort chief executive) who reflects on some great prices for weaner calves and store lambs. See 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.

Waitomo sheep and beef farmer, and Steelfort’s chief executive, reflects on some great prices for lambs and calves and the results of the methane survey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Waitomo sheep and beef farmer and the chief executive of Steelfort, chews the fat on the issues of the day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Petrol prices could be lower in the coming days as the price of oil slumps and the Kiwi dollar stabilises. Waitomo Group Chief Executive Simon Parham told Mike Hosking global supply is increasing, while demand is decreasing. He says prices are going to hover about where they are, creating a period of good value for Kiwi consumers. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It seems that much of the country is still struggling to see summer, with grey and overcast weather across the motu and possible thunderstorms in Waikato and Waitomo. MetService Meteorologist Peter Little spoke to Corin Dann.

Waitomo sheep and beef farmer and the chief executive of Steelfort. Today we talk $150 store lambs and tell you how you can win a Cub Cadet ride-on mower valued at $6199.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us as we descend into the enchanting darkness of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves!

Waitomo sheep and beef farmer and the chief executive of Steelfort.Today, we talk farming, lawnmowers, Tom Philips’ whereabouts and John’s ag person of the year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand fuel retailer Waitomo says the writing is on the wall as banks move to wind up new lending to petrol stations. 

The chief executive of Steelfort is also a Waitomo sheep and beef farmer. And his farm has certainly been in the news with the sighting of the Marakopa fugitive Tom Phillips and his three children.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police are continuing a homicide investigation into the death of a ten-month old baby boy in Waitomo district. Child Matters chief executive Jane Searle spoke to Charlotte Cook.

In its heyday, royalty, movie moguls and superstars stayed here. A famous movie director from Hollywood even based one of his horror movies on one of the ghost stories he himself encountered during his stay there. This week Anne and Renata visit Waitomo Caves House in New Zealand to examine its haunted history.The Ghosts of Waitomo Cave House - A True Haunting Podcast Follow Anne and Renata:Facebook: @AnneAndRenata Instagram: @AnneAndRenataYouTube: @AnneAndRenataTikTok: @AnneAndRenataSubscribe, Rate & Review to True Hauntings Podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-hauntings/id1537052147See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.