The Radio Wānaka Breakfast Podcast

The Upper Clutha Rams are heading into one of their biggest games of the season, and number eight Jake Burtenshaw joins us in the studio ahead of a crucial clash with Wakatipu. With a chance to finish at the top of the table and lock in home-ground advantage through the playoffs, there's plenty on the line this weekend. Jake reflects on the Rams' hard-fought White Horse Cup victory over Cromwell,...

On today's local headlines: The community is being invited to gather on the lakefront for a special Matariki celebration, bringing people together for an evening of culture, reflection and connection. A new long-term approach to growth planning is being explored as the Upper Clutha and Queenstown Lakes districts prepare for continued population growth and future development. And in sport, New Sout...

HBO Max has officially launched in New Zealand, bringing one of the world's biggest streaming libraries directly to Kiwi audiences. In this episode, Jack chats with the Managing Director of Warner Bros. Discovery Australia and New Zealand about what the arrival of HBO Max means for local viewers, why the service is generating so much excitement, and what makes it different from other streaming pla...

from travel frustrations and community milestones to a social trend raising concerns overseas. First, a frustrated Air New Zealand passenger says they were left behind after a flight departed earlier than expected, sparking debate around communication between airlines and travellers. Then, attention turns to Australia, where concern is growing over a so-called teen "Fight Club" trend. Critics are...

Jack is joined by Paul Tamaiti, Kim Tomlin, and Anna Sutherland to chat about this year's Matariki celebrations in Wānaka and what the event means for the local community. They explore the significance of Matariki as the Māori New Year, reflecting on the values of remembrance, connection, respect, and looking ahead with purpose. The conversation highlights the importance of coming together as a co...

Tikidub Presents: Tiki Taane One Man Band live at Water Bar Wānaka on Saturday 11 July. Get ready for a high-energy night as Tiki Taane brings his signature live looping show to Water Bar. Known for turning a stage into a full-band experience on his own, Tiki combines vocals, instruments, effects, and looping technology to create a performance that's equal parts concert and musical masterclass. Jo...

we look at the growing cost of school holiday care, with some families facing bills of up to $900 just to get through the break. We also head local, where freedom camping is set to be banned at two Wānaka sites following concerns about safety, access, and the impact on surrounding areas. Plus, the Government is exploring tougher measures as part of a proposed social media ban for under-16s, includ...

The Upper Clutha Rams are on a roll, coming off a gritty win over Cromwell, and this week we're joined by Rams player Jake Burtenshaw to break down the match. Jake takes us inside the victory, sharing how the team handled the wet conditions, stuck to their game plan, and found a way to come out on top against a determined Cromwell side. We also chat about the preparation that goes into each week,...

headlines locally and around the world. We start with a major weather system set to hit parts of New Zealand, bringing heavy snow, freezing temperatures, strong winds and rain, with warnings already in place. Closer to home, a Wānaka woman is making waves in the tech world after launching a new AI startup, putting local innovation at the forefront of one of the fastest-growing industries on the pl...

If you love discovering great local food, this episode is for you. This week, I share my latest food adventure after stumbling across Stoked Local, an Argentinian street food truck now serving up incredible flavours at Roy's Yard in Wānaka. Thanks to the First Table app, I had the perfect excuse to try somewhere new while supporting a local business. From slow-cooked brisket sandwiches and juicy p...

This week on What's Hot, What's Not & What's Worth a Shot , Jack catches up with Jordaine Wilson for another fun and honest look at the things they've been loving, avoiding, and recommending this week. From the importance of regular dental check-ups to navigating icy winter roads around Central Otago, the pair share personal stories, practical advice, and plenty of laughs along the way. They a...

Juno Gerlach joins us on the show to talk about her debut EP, alamort , which is out now, and the special launch show happening this weekend as part of Rhythm & Resonance in Wānaka. In this conversation, Juno shares the meaning behind alamort (a word meaning exhausted or half-dead) and how the songs were shaped by personal experiences, emotions, heartbreak, anxiety, and the challenges of growi...

It's all on the line this weekend as the Upper Clutha Rams host Cromwell in a blockbuster White Horse Cup clash at the Wānaka Showgrounds. Not only is the trophy up for grabs, but the winner will also secure home advantage throughout the finals series. With Cromwell unbeaten this season and responsible for the Rams' only loss, there's plenty of motivation for the home side. We caught up with Rams...

Start your day with a quick catch-up on the stories making headlines across Wānaka, Central Otago, and beyond. In this episode, Jack looks at local grants helping community projects get off the ground, changes to parking fees at some of New Zealand's most visited tourist spots, and the impact those changes are having. There's also a look behind the scenes of the All Blacks' commercial success and...

If you spend any time driving Central Otago roads during winter, this episode is worth a listen. Jack shares his experience at the Highlands Winter Driving Experience in Cromwell, where he spent the afternoon learning practical skills alongside a professional driver in a safe, controlled environment. From emergency braking and obstacle avoidance to high-speed decision making and understanding how...

Jack catches up with Laura from the Upper Clutha Messenger to chat about the latest edition and the important role local media plays in bringing communities together. From quizzes, word searches, and colouring competitions to local news, events, and business stories, the Messenger offers something for everyone. Laura shares what's inside this week's edition, including upcoming community events lik...

Winter has certainly arrived, with motorists across Central Otago and beyond being urged to take extra care as black ice and fog create challenging driving conditions on the roads this morning. In this episode, we take a look at some of the stories making headlines today. We start close to home with weather-related travel warnings affecting drivers across the region, before heading further afield...

As Dry July gets underway, thousands of Kiwis are putting down the drinks for a month to raise money and awareness for people affected by cancer. Joining us is Clare Higgins, General Manager of Cancer Support New Zealand, one of the charities benefiting from funds raised through the campaign. Cancer Support New Zealand provides free support services for people living with cancer, including rehabil...

Wānaka’s food scene has reached a major milestone, with Kika becoming the town’s first restaurant to earn a Michelin Star. In this episode, Jack is joined by Kika Executive Chef and Owner James Stapley to talk about the announcement that has put Wānaka firmly on the international culinary map. James shares what it was like to receive one of the highest honours in the hospitality indust...

The local food scene is celebrating after Wānaka’s Kika became one of the first restaurants in New Zealand to earn a Michelin Star. Several other Queenstown Lakes eateries were also recognised with Bib Gourmand awards, highlighting the region's growing reputation as a food destination. On this episode, we catch up with Dishes with Del (@DishesWithDel) to get his take on what these awards mea...

As the school holidays get underway, Queenstown Lakes District Libraries are preparing for one of their busiest times of the year. In this episode, Jack catches up with Rebecca Kennedy from QLDC Libraries to chat about the upcoming school holiday programme, what's happening across the district's libraries, and how locals and visitors can make the most of everything on offer. Rebecca shares details...

Wānaka is celebrating a historic moment after local restaurant Kika became the town's first Michelin Star recipient in the debut New Zealand Michelin Guide. We look at what the recognition means for the local food scene, while also highlighting other Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes eateries that earned praise, including Bib Gourmand awards for exceptional food at great value. We also take a loo...

Today’s episode takes in everything from community investment to sporting legacy and changing lifestyle trends. We start close to home, with local projects across the district set to receive ECO funding, helping support environmental initiatives and community-led programmes that make a difference on the ground. We also pay tribute to fitness icon Les Mills, the former Olympian whose influenc...

In this episode, we take a look at three stories making headlines around New Zealand. First, there's positive progress for the Upper Clutha, with plans for public health services at the Wānaka Health Precinct continuing to move forward. It's another step towards improving healthcare access for the growing community. We also discuss a new documentary set to take viewers inside the Gloriavale Christ...

Winter driving in Central Otago can change in an instant. One minute the road looks clear, the next you're dealing with black ice, frost or fog. In this episode, Jack sits down with Paul Blomqvist , professional New Zealand race driver and lead instructor for the Highlands Winter Drive Experience , to talk about the skills every driver should have before heading out on winter roads. Paul shares hi...