Breakfast Southland with Chitty

Bobbi Brown, GM Regional Strategy at Great South, joins Council Chitchat to unpack the new housing survey being run by Gore and Southland District Councils. She explains how it ties into the wider ‘Beyond 2025 Southland’ strategy, what questions locals will be asked, how privacy is protected, and why strong community input is crucial for future housing and infrastructure decisions. See...

South Otago dairy farmer and footy nut Mathew Korteweg is back with his weekly dose of farm life, footy chat, and good humour. This week he reflects on the highs and lows on and off the paddock — and channels his inner Jim Hickey & gives his take on State of Origin heading to New Zealand. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Gore Lions President John Speden joins us to look back at the creation of Gore’s iconic trout statue, gifted to the town in 1989. He recalls why the Lions wanted to build it, how it was modelled on a real Mataura River trout, and how it went from a bold idea to one of Southland’s most photographed landmarks. With voting now open in the Name That Trout competition, John reflects...

Barry Roughan joins us to reflect on 60 years of the Southern Shears — an event his father, Les Roughan, helped establish. He shares stories from the early days in the Ram Pavilion, the growth and venue changes over the decades, the support behind the scenes, and the family’s long connection to shearing. Barry also talks about the evolution of the sport and what the 60‑year milestone m...

This week’s catch‑up with Annie Nelson takes a turn into everything she’s officially had enough of . Plenty of laughs & plenty of nonsense. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South Otago dairy farmer Mathew Korteweg joins us for his weekly catch‑up. We check in on how he survived his first pre‑season footy training, the team bonding happening off the field, and why he’s still skipping around the farm with a spring in his step. Mathew also shares his thoughts on the Winter Olympics and what he’d do if he discovered $200,000 hidden in a ceiling. See omnystudi...

Gore District Council’s Craig Sinclair and WasteNet’s Ali Green break down the new three‑strikes recycling system rolling out across Southland. They explain why it’s being introduced, what counts as a “strike,” what happens if a household gets three red tags, and how the focus remains firmly on education — not punishment. They also share how residents can reduce...

After walking the length of Aotearoa from Cape Reinga to Bluff , Shane Bichan reflects on the moment he reached the finish line — and the thousands of stories he carried along the way. He talks about the support from strangers, the grief and resilience shared with him on the road, and what it means to have raised more than $34,000 for Te Hauora Murikauhaka Charitable Trust .  See omnyst...

Southland Rural Support Trust Chair Simon Hopcroft joins us with an update on the Trust’s recent work supporting farmers through wellbeing, financial pressures, relationships, and weather events. He also previews their major presence at this year’s Southern Field Days , including the Honda generator giveaway and the auction of a high‑spec transportable home , with all profits supportin...

Shirley, Kim and Taryn are in for this week’s Locker Room Ladies! We’re unpacking the latest beauty trend of tattooed freckles — are we into it, or hard pass? Plus, a quick-fire round of “Vibe & Unsubscribe”: what we want more of in 2026, and what we’re officially saying goodbye to. A fun, fast, slightly unhinged catch‑up with the girls. See omnystudio.com/l...

The Gore A&P Show is back this Saturday, February 7th, and it remains one of the South Island’s biggest one‑day events. Vice President Bruce Eade joins us to talk through the huge line‑up for 2026 — from horses and livestock to the kids’ zone favourites like the Big Dig, plus food, music, crafts, and the buzzing Market Tent. We also dive into the excitement of hosting the FMG...

Nathan Cameron and Q are in for the Locker Room Lads, diving into the real cost — and real need — of insurance. The boys also chat about what they’re doing to stay strong, nimble, and in top shape as they get older.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Annie Nelson joins us for her weekly check-in, unpacking the new “word of the year” taking over 6/7 — and revealing her answer to Dry July and Steptember… introducing  Fibruary . We also toss around some creative (and questionable) ideas for “Name That Trout.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re joined by Lisa Tai, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities New Zealand, to talk about how RMHC supports families with a child in hospital far from home. Lisa explains what makes the service so special, what a stay actually provides, and why the House to House challenge this March is vital. She breaks down how every kilometre — and every dollar raised — helps keep families t...

GDC Planning Manager Morgan Smith joins Chitty to break down the Gore District’s Proposed District Plan in plain language. We cover what’s changed now the decisions are out, how the new zoning works, what the updated flood‑mapping means for locals, how biodiversity and Māori cultural values are recognised, and what property owners should look for in the ePlan. Plus — who can appe...

South Otago dairy farmer Mathew Korteweg checks in fresh from a family holiday as we talk farm life, family life, and the looming pain of the first pre‑season footy training.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tussock Country promo & event coordinator Annabel Roy previews the festival that transforms Gore every May. She shares the vibe first‑timers can expect, hidden‑gem events, what’s special about Tussock Country Late Night, and why visitors from across NZ and Australia keep coming back. Plus the best tips for planning your schedule and grabbing tickets before the crowds arrive. See omnystud...

Grant “Nisbo” Nisbett joins me to debrief a massive sporting weekend — from Super Rugby pre‑season realities, to Carlos Alcaraz completing a career Grand Slam at just 22, the Black Caps’ tough T20 series against India, and Sam Ruthe smashing Sir John Walker’s long‑standing mile record. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some parents do a school drop‑off. We did a school fly‑in. Join me for a roving report from a high‑country helicopter as Mila, Oliva, Crimsin and Jimi kick off day one at Mataura Primary — while Wal tries to keep things calm back in the Hokonui studio. It’s chaos, it’s wholesome, it’s very Southland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tyla, Taryn and Shirley break down why “house burping” is suddenly a TikTok craze and why slow vacuuming is the internet’s newest oddly‑satisfying cleaning obsession. They also chat about social‑media friend etiquette — who gets added, who gets ignored, and who’s stuck forever in the “seen but not accepted” pile. And we play a game of guess whos coming to...

Naomi explains the Safe Night kaupapa, exactly what that $20 donation provides, why demand is rising across Aotearoa, and how the community can help — even if money is tight. She also shares the stories that stay with her and the hope guiding her leadership. To gift a Safe Night and help a woman and her children begin their journey to safety, visit safenight.nz . See omnystudio.com/listener...

Milton’s Shane Bichan checks in from his walk the full length of Aotearoa, raising awareness for those affected by suicide. He shares where he is today, how the body and mind are holding up, standout moments from the past week, and how it feels to be inching closer to home — and to Bluff. Plus, Chitty reveals what Shane has roped her into… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Jack Hilton breaks down Waikoikoi’s four‑run nail‑biter over Appleby in a rain‑shortened T20 final at Queens Park. He talks rivalries, game‑changing performances from Jason Osborne and Ben McCall, the crucial work of the groundsman, and what’s ahead as the competition shifts into the longer formats. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deputy harbour master Conrad Adams explains the region’s new “lifejacket library” — a simple idea that could save lives. He talks through how the initiative works, why ACC partnership matters, the rules everyone needs to know on our waterways, and how compliance and safety are tracking this summer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

West Otago’s own Aj Aitken joins Chitty with his trademark mix of farming insight and footy chat. They cover the much‑needed rain across the region, the surprising “out‑the‑gate” farm prices currently shaping the rural economy, and what to expect as Super Rugby pre‑season gets underway. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.