Tales of the Buller

The podcast welcomes John Bennett, a resident of Carters Beach for over 65 years. John shares some history of his family, the local area and much more. In this fascinating episode we hear tales of Hermits with hidden gold, TB scares and nightmares,  climbing into blowholes at Punakaiki, Bruno Lawrence and (wait for it) - Blerta! Enjoy! Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you...

The podcast welcomes Terry McDonnell. Terry is a well known figure in the Buller coming from an old Buller family and has farmed in this district for a long time, represented Buller at rugby, worked at the Cement Works and much more. Terry also shares going through a major health scare and how it was dealt with. A fascinating episode. Enjoy! Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear fr...

The podcast is very happy to present the first multi guest episode featuring generations of Buller Rugby. We welcome Gerald Hart, Thomas Stuart and Andrew Duncan, the current Buller Rugby CEO.  Hear tales of history, rivalries and famous games. This episode is a must. Enjoy! Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

We kick off Season 4 with a very well known Buller native, Dan Moloney. Beginning his teaching career at Granity School in 1972 and moving to St Canice’s in 1976, Dan was principal at St Canice’s for 21 years. Following retirement Dan has been heavily involved in community work including a stint as President of the Westport Trotting Club and many other contributions.  Most recently Dan has been Ch...

I hope you all enjoyed that short season as much as I did. Thanks to all guests and all who have helped me along the way this year.  We will take a short break now until early in the New Year. I wish you all a happy, healthy and safe Christmas and New Year. Cheers.  Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

Welcome to the Kawatiri Coastal Trail Tale #5. This episode has Jeff Richards talking about the early days of Carters Beach, the Gala and a 'famous' message in a bottle found on the beach.  This is the last of the Kawatiri Coastal Trail Tales - I hope you have enjoyed them. Episode funded by Epic and recorded by Daimon (The Nomad) in 2021 Enjoy! Click here to send me a message! I would l...

Welcome to the Kawatiri Coastal Trail Tale #4. This episode has Geoff Brunning describing a life in Carters Beach including playing with water cannons as a child, making flaxwood rafts and finding the wreckage of a ship up by Cape Foulwind. Episode funded by Epic and recorded by Daimon (The Nomad) in 2021 Enjoy! Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

Welcome to the Kawatiri Coastal Trail Tale #3. This episode has Bernard Menzies telling tales of the early days of Carters Beach. These include the formation of the Carters Beach Top Ten Caravan Park and chasing calves for 10 bob at the Rodeo! Episode funded by Epic and recorded by Daimon (The Nomad) in 2021 Enjoy! Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

Welcome to the Kawatiri Coastal Trail Tale #2. This episode sees Ken Hill describing life in Carters Beach in the early days and how the trail goes right past their family property. Ken and Jeff recount some amazing stories of the area the trail is now passing through and early times at Carters Beach.  Episode funded by Epic and recorded by Daimon (The Nomad) in 2021 Enjoy! Click here to send me a...

It is my pleasure to present some podcast episodes recorded in 2021 as part of the Kawatiri Coastal Trail project. The episodes in this short season were funded by Epic and recorded by Daimon (The Nomad). Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

Welcome to the Kawatiri Coastal Trail Tale #1. This has Jeff Richards and Bernard Menzies talking about the early days of Carters Beach and the Galas that were held there along with Rodeos and much more. Episode funded by Epic and recorded by Daimon (The Nomad) in 2021 Enjoy! Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

Bit of an abrupt end to the season here as I have had an interesting last month to say the least. Click the follow button on whatever Podcast platform you are using so you are notified when season 3 begins. Be happy and safe. Cheers. Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast welcomes Noel Palmer, a very well known and respected Buller resident  from a very old Buller family. Born in the middle of the 1926 floods Noel tells some fascinating tales of growing up with no power for his first 21 years, of his father bringing the first tractor to Westport, rescuing stranded boats with a stumplifter and more. Enjoy! Click here to send me a message! I would love to...

This week we present a short anthology of poems by the magnificent former guest Phyllis Phipps.  Phyllis has written poetry most of her life and we present a selection of these in this episode. The poems are  read by Janelle Hooper of the Buller District Library. A big thanks to Janelle for doing such a wonderful job of this.  Enjoy! Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you....

The podcast warmly welcomes a true Buller rugby legend, Rodney Dawe. Rodney was born and raised in Ngakawau and he supports the Ngakawau rugby club to this day. Rodney played 59 games for Buller and also played for the combined West Coast/Buller team against the Wallabies, Springboks and the Lions. Rodney was President of the New Zealand Rugby Union in 1995 and he took the All Blacks to the 1995 W...

The podcast welcomes Mickey Ryan. A very well known and respected Buller local Mickey has had a very interesting and colourful life.  Starting out working in the mines he then joined the NZ Army where he served overseas, including Vietman, for two years. Back in the Buller he went back to mining but soon heard the call of the sea and began a fishing career. During this period he also had several s...

The podcast welcomes the wonderful Phyllis Phipps. 96 years young Phyllis tells tales of how she grew up in Sergeants Hill and later moved into Westport. Phyllis is responsible for starting Buller Basketball, Buller softball, teaching at Buller High School for 30 years  and has followed Buller Rugby as it's number one fan since 1944.  Phyllis tells some fascinating tales and when asked if she...

The podcast warmly welcomes Ashley Godwin, daughter of Thomas and Barbara Stuart of Donaldo's fame.  Ashley is a Buller born and bred 26 year old young woman who is a fantastic example of a young person raised on the West Coast. This is no ordinary young woman. Not by a long shot. She is currently the Regional Economic Development Advisor to the Ministry of Regional Development. She was recog...

The podcast welcomes Kim Intemann along with Jeff Richards providing info support. Kim is a well known and respected Buller woman with a long history at Carters Beach, having moved here at one year old. She tells some wonderful tales of the early days at Carters Beach and describes the Gala's that were held and many other events. Jeff chimes in with some classics including a great tale about...

Thanks to all the guests and listeners who have made season one so memorable. We will take a break over July now to give time to organise season two. Have a great few weeks. If you wish to contact the podcast the email address is talesofthebuller@gmail.com.  Stay safe and happy. Cheers from Mike Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

This episode welcomes Robert Elley to the podcast. Robert is from a well known Buller family and is Buller born and bred.  Starting out in bridge building and forestry Robert tells tales of his early days and his eventual move to a management position at Postie Plus where he stayed for a number of years. Robert played 51 games for the Buller Rugby team at No 8 and shares some memorable stories of...

The podcast warmly welcomes Bob Pratt or 'Pratty' as he is more commonly known. Pratty is one of the Pratt family that have owned the Cosmopolitan pub in Westport for three generations. A great bloke and a real Westport stalwart Pratty tells tales of growing up with no power or phone to riding on coal carts down the Denniston Incline to playing rugby for Buller and to the frost in Reefto...

This episode welcomes Thomas Stuart to the podcast. A man who needs little introduction in the Buller region as he is extremely well known and a Buller rugby legend.  Thomas and his wife Barbara own and run Donaldos Cafe in the heart of Carters Beach. Listen to tales of the Inangahua earthquake, rugby tales both local and international and much much more. Enjoy! Note : there are a few annoying aud...

Back by popular demand is one Mr Gerald Hart. This time round Gerald tells of his cricketing years, as a player and spectator both in the Buller itself and representing the Buller around the country.  Included is a tale of Merv Hughes bowling off a long run up through a door of a Wellington pub and much much more. Enjoy! Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the s...

Lorraine is born and bred in Westport and along with her husband Neville is a well known figure in Carters Beach. Lorraine is known for her work in the railways, early child care and also for being an incredible baker!  Listen to Lorraine tell an incredible story about a trombone and the Bridge of Remembrance, a tale of the railway, stories of Denniston and much more. Enjoy! Click here to send me...