NBS Talk Nelson

 In this episode, we’re joined by Mike Wells, Head Coach of Kahurangi Rugby Club. Mike shares his rugby journey, coaching philosophy, and thoughts on the 2025 season ahead. We also break down the latest results from the Stuff Tasman Trophy, including both men’s and women’s club rugby, college rugby updates, and Super Rugby Pacific standings. Plus, we cover the week’s top rugby headlines, including...

Hosts Chris Butler and Neil Connell   are back at The Turf Hotel with special guest Neil "Geeza" Harding. Neil joins the show to talk about his current involvement in local football, talent development at Nelson Suburbs, and playing for Tahunanui AFC 2nds. This episode also features updates across the Top of the South: Chatham Cup and Kate Sheppard Cup Round 2 fixtures Nelson Pine Senior...

We’re back at The Turf Hotel with Les returning to the mic. This week we catch up with special guest Warren Cairns, Central RFC Club Development Officer. Warren shares his Marlborough rugby journey, key playing memories, and the goals behind his current role helping grow the game at Central RFC. Also in this episode: Women’s and Men’s Stuff Tasman Trophy results and upcoming fixtures College Rugby...

 In this episode, Chris & Skippy are back at The Turf Hotel and joined by Shannon Marr, President of Wakefield FC, to talk grassroots football and club goals for 2025. We dive into Chatham Cup & Kate Sheppard Cup results and upcoming fixtures, plus all the latest from the Nelson Pine Leagues , Southern League , A-League Finals , UEFA Champions League , and a wild Premier League weekend. Do...

 Chris & Les dive into another huge week of rugby action across Te Tauihu! We cover:  • Club Rugby – Women’s & Men’s results + fixtures • Feature Match – Div 2 & Marlborough Senior A updates • College Rugby – Miles Toyota 1st XV competition highlights • Super Rugby Pacific – Round 13 results, Round 14 fixtures, updated standings • Rugby Headlines – NZ U20s edge SA in thriller, bonus po...

 Hosts Chris Butler & Skippy return with another big week of football across the Top of the South! We chat with Sam Crawford, Captain of the Nelson Suburbs Women’s Southern League team, break down Chatham Cup & Kate Sheppard Cup , and run through Nelson Pine league highlights, Southern League results, A-League finals, and the latest from the Premier League & UEFA Champions League.  📍...

 Join hosts Chris Butler and Les Edwards at The Turf Hotel as they kick off the 2025 season with special guest Estelle Uren , Community Women’s Rugby Manager at Tasman Rugby Union. Estelle shares her journey into rugby, insights into the current state of the women’s game, and the exciting growth happening across the Top of the South. Plus, we dive into Tasman Trophy results, Super Rugby Pacific up...

In this episode we dive into one of Nelson Tasman’s most-loved fundraising events – NBS Dancing for a Cause ! Host Chris Butler is joined by: 👠 Emma Silke French – Dancing for a Cause Trust 🏦 Gina Dellabarca – Chief Executive, NBS  We talk ballroom beginnings, NBS’s community impact, and what to expect from this year’s spectacular two-night dance showdown at the Trafalgar Centre! 🎟️ Tickets are...

⚽ Football Focus is back at The Turf Hotel and we're diving into another action-packed week across the Top of the South! In this episode, hosts Chris Butler and Skippy catch up with Phil Thompson , President of FC Nelson. From new clubrooms to the club’s new coaching lineup, Phil talks juniors, seniors, women’s football, and the goals for 2025. We also cover: 🏆 Chatham Cup & Kate Sheppa...

Chris Butler and Les Edwards are back at The Turf Hotel to break down another big week of local and national rugby — and this week, we're joined by Tasman Rugby Union CEO Steve Mitchell . Steve shares his vision for the Union, reflects on recent constitutional changes, and gives insight into balancing club and school rugby while preparing for the Mako’s 2025 campaign. We also cover:  ✅ Tasma...

🎙️ Football Focus – Episode 2: The 2025 Season Kicks On! We’re back at The Turf Hotel for another jam-packed episode of Football Focus , your go-to podcast for everything football in the Top of the South! This week, we catch up with Stu Reid , Mainland Football’s Nelson Bays Rep, for insights on: What the region learned in 2024 New initiatives and changes across junior, women’s, and senior grades...

🎙️ Football Focus – Episode 1: 2025 Season Kickoff We’re back for 2025! Join hosts Chris Butler and Neil Connell live from our home base at The Turf Hotel as we kick off the new season of Football Focus. In this episode, we dive into local women’s and men’s football fixtures, Southern League action, Premier League results, and a massive update on the All Whites’ World Cup qualification. Neil gives...

🎙️ Mako Rugby Roundup – Episode 1 - 2025 Season Kickoff It’s the first episode of 2025 and we’re back at it with the Mako Rugby Roundup! Hosts Chris Butler and Les Edwards kick off the new season from our home base at The Turf Hotel. We catch up on the off-season, talk club rugby including the College vs Club debate and the new TRU Constitution, run through women’s and men’s results and fixtures,...

 Mako Rugby Roundup - Peter Barr - Interview During the Summer we’re revisiting our favorite interviews from the 2024 season. Here's our chat with Peter Barr, former CEO of the Tasman Rugby Union. Peter shares how the Tasman Mako forged their identity, overcame obstacles, and rose to provincial rugby prominence. Tune in for a captivating look at the Mako’s early days and what it takes to buil...

Over the summer months, we’re revisiting some of our favorite interviews from the year for your listening pleasure! Next up in our Talk of the Town series with Uniquely Nelson is a chat with Paula Campbell from Littlebeehive on Hardy Street . Paula shares her background and how she created a bustling collective that showcases local artists and creators—both in-store and online at Littlebeehive! Tu...

This episode of The Mako Rugby Roundup revisits a standout interview from the 2024 rugby season, featuring special guest LaToya Mason. Interviewed by Chris Butler and Les Edwards, Mason shares insights from her remarkable career: coaching the Tasman Mako Farah Palmer Cup team, earning 70 caps for England, and playing a key role in their World Cup victory. LaToya reflects on her experiences as an i...

Rewind & Relax with Talk Nelson! As we head into the summer months, we’re diving back into some of our favorite interviews from the year for your listening pleasure!  First up in our Talk of the Town series with Uniquely Nelson is a chat with Steve Mitchell , who had just stepped into his role as the new CEO of the Tasman Mako . Listen now and enjoy the conversation as you soak up the summer v...

In this episode of the Mako Rugby Roundup, hosts Chris Butler and Les Edwards welcome Gray Cornelius, Head Coach of the Tasman Mako, to reflect on a very successful season. Gray dives into the highs and lows, from the heartbreaking quarter-final battle against Canterbury to the pride of securing the Ranfurly Shield. He discusses the challenges of Storm Week, how key players stepped up when it matt...

Hosted by Chris Butler and Les Edwards , this episode dives into another thrilling season of Tasman Mako rugby. Today’s special guest is Quinten Strange , Captain of the Tasman Mako, and we’ve got plenty to unpack! From the gut-wrenching quarter-final showdown to winning the Ranfurly Shield and defending it with pride, we’re talking all about the players who stepped up this season, the young guns...

In this episode, hosts Chris Butler and Les Edwards dive into the latest rugby action from the top of the South Island, focusing on the Tasman Mako’s season. They review the Ranfurly Shield challenge against Taranaki and preview the upcoming Quarter-Final match versus Canterbury this Sunday in Blenheim. The special guest for this episode is Mako #196, halfback Louie Chapman. Louie shares his rugby...

In this episode, hosts Chris Butler and Les Edwards dive into the latest rugby action from the Top of the South Island, New Zealand, with a focus on the Tasman Mako season. They review the sheild defence vs Auckland and preview (Ranfurly Shield Defence) vs Taranaki. Our special guest is Tasman Mako Manager Huw Beynon. Huw tells us about his 2nd year of Managing the Tasman Mako and how the season i...

In this week's episode co-hosts Chris Butler and Neil Connell bring you all the latest in senior football from New Zealand's upper South Island.  This is the last episode for 2024. We review the season covering off FC Nelson's Southern League 2nd leg play-off match vs Wamakariri at Guppy Park, Nelson. We also review Senior Men's and Women's local leagues, the Sourthern Lea...

In this episode, hosts Chris Butler and Les Edwards dive into the latest rugby action from the Top of the South Island, New Zealand, with a focus on the Tasman Mako season. They review the close match vs Waikato and review storm week with games against Otago, Auckland (Ranfurly Shield Defence) and Taranaki. Our special guest is Tasman Mako #217, flanker, Tim Sail. Born in Napier, Tim grew up in Au...

In this week's episode co-hosts Chris Butler, Ryan "Skippy" Stewart, and Neil Connell bring you all the latest in senior football from New Zealand's upper South Island. We give a special shout-out to FC Nelson, who are heading into the second leg of their Southern League play-off against Waimakariri after a thrilling 3-2 win in Christchurch last weekend. Our very special guest...

In this episode, hosts Chris Butler and Les Edwards dive into the latest rugby action from the Top of the South Island, New Zealand, with a focus on the Tasman Mako season. They review the hard-fought Ranfurly Shield challenge against Wellington and provide a preview of the upcoming game against Waikato in the NPC. Our special guest is Mako #205, Macca Spring. Macca, who grew up in Richmond, NZ, p...