Advertise on podcast: WTS Waikato

Matt Kambic’s play The Sherpa & the Beekeeper: Summit on Everest, premiered at the Meteor Theatre in Hamilton. And Matt has plenty of other creative endeavours too. WTS met up with him for a fascinating discussion, extending from the tallest mountain in the world, to the Hadron Collider, and beyond. Telling the hyperlocal, controversial and quirky stories of the Waikato region under the new normal.

The Cambridge Town Hall has served thousands of people in its life so far. But now, it needs help. It is no longer fit for purpose and it also requires major earthquake strengthening work. Kirsty Johnson chairs the Cambridge Town Hall Community Trust. WTS went and spoke with her inside the historic building. Telling the hyperlocal, controversial and quirky stories of the Waikato region under the new normal.

Farmer Andrew Johnstone and music teacher Zed Brookes have been recording music in the Waikato since the days of analog – and now they’ve released an album in the digital age, by the same ethos of love for home baked music. Going by the name Brookes and Johnstone, WTS spoke to the act about their history together, and the album When Summer Falls, Break Down the Walls. Telling the hyperlocal, controversial and quirky stories of the Waikato region under the new normal.

Saving animals and educating the public – those are the missions of Franklin Farm Sanctuary, located in north Waikato. The poultry and dairy industries in Aotearoa kill millions of animals every year. Some people think this is a practical necessity. And that’s the view which Sally Hart set out to dispel when she launched the Franklin Farm Sanctuary. WTS paid her a visit to learn more. Telling the hyperlocal, controversial and quirky stories of the Waikato region under the new normal.

What's being built over the Waikato River is more than a road bridge. WTS spoke with Andrew Parsons, executive director of strategic infrastructure at Hamilton City Council, to gain more insight. Telling the hyperlocal, controversial and quirky stories of the Waikato region under the new normal.

A few minutes out of Cambridge, in the countryside, is a huge shed containing toys, clothes, toiletries, books, shoes and PJs. Kids in Need Waikato loads all these into care packs to be given out to children who are in care with anyone other than their own parents - literally thousands of kids. WTS headed down to the shed to speak with co-founder Linda Roil. Telling the hyperlocal, controversial and quirky stories of the Waikato region under the new normal.

In Hamilton on May 14th a Rally for Safer Cycling is being held, and Sandra Jensen from Go Eco is involved with it. She’s also got a plethora of other interests, including the Kirikiriroa Society of Velocipede and Tweed Enthusiasts and Glo Ride, which both also pertain to cycling. WTS headed down to Frankton Village to grab a coffee with Sandra ahead of the cycling rally. Telling the hyperlocal, controversial and quirky stories of the Waikato region under the new normal.

Peat fires are a regular occurrence in the Waikato - the unintentional burning of ancient plant material located underground. WTS producer Gary Farrow spoke to Fire and Emergency incident controller David Brown at the site of a large peat fire, and visited the University of Waikato to hear from Dave Campbell who specialises in the study of peat and their associated wetlands. Telling the hyperlocal, controversial and quirky stories of the Waikato region under the new normal.

MP for Taupō, Louise Upston, who is also a representative for the residents of Cambridge, has seen the social divisions caused by the pandemic first hand. WTS spoke with the MP, as well as one of her former frontline staff Louise Allen, for their personal stories of dealing with anti-vax constituents. Telling the hyperlocal, controversial and quirky stories of the Waikato region under the new normal.

The NZ Podcasting Summit, taking place on 14 May at Auckland University of Technology, is supported by Free FM and is the inaugural summit providing a medium for Aotearoa’s podcast producers, focussing on collaboration, education, sharing and networking. A panel of over 15 experts will be speaking at the day-long event. WTS spoke with event organiser Dr Lewis Tennant from AUT. Telling the hyperlocal, controversial and quirky stories of the Waikato region under the new normal.

Micro moments fuel macro change. That's a mantra of the Microvolunteering Collective, which started out at the University of Waikato. The brandchild of comms student Chantelle Cobby, the collective is dedicated to breaking down the barriers to traditional volunteering, and enabling anyone to make meaningful contributions to their community. Chantelle joins us on WTS. Telling the hyperlocal, controversial and quirky stories of the Waikato region under the new normal.

Waikato University PhD student Clare Beet has been immersed in science from an early age, growing up in a family that started Whaingaroa Harbour Care. Clare has explored as far as Antarctica on her studies, and built knowledge in science that she is now putting to use here on the ground in the Waikato. She joins us for this episode of WTS. Telling the hyperlocal, controversial and quirky stories of the Waikato region under the new normal.