The Mountain Club Podcast

What begins as a walk often becomes something far greater. Clare sits down with Matt Claridge, Chief Executive of Te Araroa, New Zealand’s 3,000 kilometre pathway stretching from Cape Reinga to Bluff. More than a track, it weaves through cities, backcountry, and communities, offering a deeply personal journey for those who step onto it. Together, they explore the evolving role of the trail, from t...

Host Paddy Kluts sits down with Drew Knowles and Dr Simon McKenzie-Nickson, the duo behind the Augmented Human Series, for a conversation on burnout, busyness, and the biology underneath both. Drew brings three decades across behavioural consulting, stress physiology, and human performance. Simon brings a PhD in neuroscience and deep flow state research. Together they trace the exhaustion so many...

What happens when entrepreneurship shifts from starting businesses to acquiring and growing the ones already built? Paddy sits down with Pete Seligman to explore the growing momentum behind entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) across Australia and New Zealand, and why it is becoming an increasingly compelling path for operators, investors, and aspiring business owners. Together, they unpack...

Clare sits down with Mat Woods, Chief Executive of Destination Queenstown, and Mike Casey, CEO of Rewiring Aotearoa and Central Otago's electric cherry orchardist, for a live episode recorded for Electrify Queenstown. Together they unpack what it really means to lead the world on electrification, and why Queenstown is uniquely placed to do it. The conversation moves from the economics of running a...

What does it mean to truly capture a place in a bottle of wine? Clare sits down with Anika Willner, winemaker at Coalpit Vineyard, to explore the philosophy behind organic viticulture and the deep connection between land, people, and wine. From her early years in Ohio to working vintages across Europe, Australia, and the United States, Anika shares the journey that led her to Central Otago, and to...

A conversation shaped by perspective, place, and the pursuit of something deeper. Stuart Robertson, artist, photographer, and the force behind Peace in 10,000 Hands , shares how his work has taken him from Queenstown to some of the most remote and confronting corners of the world. Through experiences in places like Ukraine and Antarctica, Stu reflects on what it means to document humanity, capturi...

Please note: this episode includes discussion of mental health and suicide. If this feels close to home, take care while listening. Support is available via 1737 (NZ), free to call or text, anytime. A raw and grounded conversation on mental health, leadership, and why mental health education needs to start early. Sir John Kirwan, one of New Zealand’s greatest rugby players, shares how his own live...

In a town known for its history and landscapes, Rosie Bristed is helping shape New Zealand’s creative future. Rosie, founder of Astor Bristed Gallery in Arrowtown joins us for a conversation about art, place, and building something meaningful in a small but vibrant creative community. Rosie shares her journey into the art world and what it really takes to run a contemporary gallery. From discoveri...

A thoughtful conversation on health, performance, and finding clarity in a fast-moving world. Damian Chaparro, founder of Aro Hā , an award winning wellness retreat centre shares the journey of building his business and how he has build the brand philosophy into the core of the business. The retreat has championed regenerative tourism practices, from the way the retreat is built, to the immersive...

In this episode, host Clare Irons sits down with Nadia Lim; TV Chef, Entrepreneur, and beloved New Zealand food personality. Together, they dive into Nadia’s journey from winning MasterChef at age 24, to co-founding My Food Bag, and to her current life on Royalburn Station, where she’s embraced farming, sustainable food production, and the balancing act of running multiple businesses alongside fam...

In this episode, host Paddy sits down with Ali Meredith, one of the club’s longstanding and most dynamic members. Together, they explore Ali’s unique journey from studying law and working in legal tech startups around the globe, to finding inspiration, adventure, and community in Queenstown. You’ll hear how Ali has woven together a life of professional growth and outdoor adventure, building a care...

In this episode, host Paddy sits down with Ross Copland - an engineer, infrastructure leader, and passionate local - to explore the unique challenges and opportunities that come with Queenstown’s rapid growth. Together, they dive into Ross Copland’s journey from a Southland farm to the helm of Southern Infrastructure Limited, discussing why Queenstown is such a special place and what it takes to k...

In this episode, Paddy sits down with Sam Stubbs, the founder of Simplicity, for an insightful conversation about creating connection, community, and impact - both in business and everyday life. Together, they explore the origins and growth of Mountain Club, the flourishing Queenstown community, and the role of shared passions like mountain biking in breaking down social barriers. Sam Stubbs share...

In this special "Christmas Wrap" episode, host Clare looks back on an incredible year of connection, growth, and adventure in the Queenstown Lakes region. From unforgettable heli-skiing powder days with family and friends, to mountain biking, adventure races, and insightful conversations with inspiring guests, Clare and the Mountain Club community have plenty to celebrate. This episode dives deep...

In this episode, host Clare Irons sits down with Benje Patterson - economist, strategist, storyteller, and local community leader - to unravel the fast-changing landscape of Queenstown and the surrounding region. Benje Patterson, who serves on the boards of both the Arrowtown Promotion and Business Association and the Queenstown Trails Trust, shares his unique perspective on what it means to belon...

This episode is a deep dive into journeys - geographical, entrepreneurial, and personal wellbeing. Paddy sits down with Matt Chapman, a globetrotter turned Wanaka local, whose story stretches from a small town in Australia, through the bustling streets of Singapore, and finally, to the stunning landscapes of the Queenstown Lakes region. Matt shares his path from a highly scheduled, high-performing...

In this heartfelt episode, Claire Turnbull, founder of Mission Nutrition and Feel Good the Find Wellness Programme , joins our host Clare Irons to talk about mental health, food, and the messy, beautiful reality of balance. Claire opens up about her personal journey - from burnout and eating disorders to helping others find true wellbeing. She shares how to end your fight with food, why sleep and...

On this episode of the Mountain Club Podcast, we brought together New Zealand’s comedy legends for an honest, hilarious, and inspiring conversation. In our first live podcast we heard from Jeremy Corbett, Michèle A’Court, Emma Lange, and David Downs. We heard wild tales from their early days, how they built a career from scratch, and how comedy helped them through life’s toughest moments, includin...

On this episode of the Mountain Club Podcast, Paddy sat down with Quentin, the visionary behind Snow Machine and Arrival, to talk all things Queenstown, entrepreneurship, and event innovation. Quentin shares how his love for travel and adventure transformed Queenstown’s shoulder seasons, boosting the local economy with world-class events. We dive into the power of collaboration, building community...

It’s Wills Month , and we couldn’t think of a better guest than Jennifer Belmont - CEO of the 45South Community Foundation who quite literally brought her famous cookies (yes, cookies 🍪) to the podcast with Paddy. Jennifer shares how she’s redefined philanthropy in Queenstown, scaling from a DIY startup to a regional force with billion-dollar ambitions. At the heart of her message this month? Leg...

In this episode, Vic Crockford, director of Heft Communications and founder of the Coalition to End Women's Homelessness, shares her journey across sectors, from community advocacy to cultural leadership. She unpacks the often-overlooked crisis of women’s homelessness in Aotearoa, where more than 57,000 women live in severe housing deprivation with wāhine Māori most affected. Vic introduces the Pa...

What do trails really mean for Queenstown? Spoiler: it’s way bigger than bikes. In this episode of The Mountain Club Podcast , Clare sits down with Mark “Willy” Williams, CEO of Queenstown Trails Trust. From epic loops like the Coronet Track to the idea of Queenstown becoming the poster child for smart, sustainable town planning, Willy breaks down how trails fuel not just adventure but transport,...

In this episode, Alex Worker shares his remarkable journey from a global upbringing to becoming a driving force in New Zealand’s food tech revolution. Speaking from Queenstown, Alex opens up about balancing family life with entrepreneurial grit, shares insights from his time at Fonterra and Impossible Foods, and dives into his current ventures: Lilo Desserts (with a Pop Up coming to Mountain Club...

In this episode of the Mountain Club Podcast, Clare sits down with Krystle O'Neil, founder of Nourish Our Minds, to explore the journey from burnout to balance. Krystle shares her personal wake-up call from stress-related illness, her transformative experience with NLP and timeline therapy, and her mission to help ambitious people break free from people-pleasing and perfectionism. We dive into the...

From a lymphoma diagnosis to becoming one of the first Kiwis to receive life-saving CAR T cell therapy, David Downs’ story is one of grit, hope, and purpose. In this episode, David opens up about his journey through failed chemotherapy to the pioneering CAR T treatment in Boston that gave him a second chance at life. Now an ambassador and trustee for the Malaghan Institute , David shares insights...