Wanaka Podcast

17/07/2023

Check it out! For all you aspiring podcasters out there!

26/08/2021

Well folks, what was born in lockdown 2020, will now come to an end in lock down 2021.

We are calling wraps on the awesome journey that has been the Wanaka Podcast. It has been an absolute blast!

We just wanted to say a massive thank you to our hosts, our guests, and our listeners!
And also to our season 5,6,7 sponsor Southern Lakes Motors.

We produced 43 episodes featuring some of Wanaka’s coolest business peeps.
Had over 19,000 downloads! Some episodes with over 1000 themselves.

You will still be able to listen for a little while in all the normal places, and then eventually the episodes will only be available on the Wanaka Podcast website.

We had a huge list of the many more of you who we could’ve featured, however sadly the time has come to put the energy into other projects.

In saying that, we have learnt a lot along the way about podcast making so if you are looking to do your own – do get in touch, we’d love to help!

See you on the next one team, stay safe out there.
Love Erin, Jo and Joe xx

21/07/2021

Hello amazing Wanaka Podcasters!

Just a quick note to let you all know that we are taking a short break and we will be back with you again soon!

In the interim catch up on any episodes you may have missed on https://www.wanakapodcast.com/episodes

Or look up Wanaka Podcast on your favourite podcast platform

Stay warm out there xx

16/07/2021

Holy Moly!

Thank you to all of our season seven guests and to our fantastic host Alecia Hodgson from Sixpence for another brilliant season! We loved having you all on the show! 💛💛

Alecia Hodgson runs Silver Sixpence Skin Clinic and she is passionate about skin health and skincare. She has carved out a business focused on beauty treatments as well as skin health. Her love of people is at the heart of her business and desire to host these discussions on the Wanaka Podcast. Her own business journey is a solid foundation for discussing strategy, creative business solutions, a focus on people, and the fun of business. Her own enterprise has been through some epic iterations, you can hear more about that on her episode with Jess Eastwood in season 4.

If you have missed any of Alecia's episodes you can check them out on our here: https://www.wanakapodcast.com/alecia-hodgson

Season Seven was brought to you by the awesome team at Southern Lakes Motors. Thanks team!

13/07/2021

Last Episode of Season Seven! And it's a beauty!

SE7 // EP7 // in this episode Alecia Hodgson from Silver Sixpence has a beautiful chat with Rachel Benton of The Green Room Flower Company and Plant Collective

Rachel Benton is the busy lady behind The Green Room and Plant Collective. She is ultra-organised so she can get flowers out on time, manage a young family, manage her team, and nail the administration behind the scenes. She has a team of talented florists and business managers running the businesses, and from time to time she gets to make a bouquet.

After leaving school, she moved from Palmerston North to Queenstown; a stint in hospo led her to Perth and eventually back to Wanaka. She started out her life in Wanaka cooking at Relishes while at the same time studying wine-making and horticulture. In an effort to get some work related to her study, she took on a role with the local florist, which sparked a passion for flowers. She went on to buy the business; which is blooming!

In this chat Alecia digs into the detail of running a florist shop and so much more. Enjoy!

Head on over to listen: https://www.wanakapodcast.com/episodes/rachel-benton

Or look up Wanaka Podcast on your favourite podcast platform!


Season Seven is brought to you by the amazing team at Southern Lakes Motors. Like us, they enjoy talking to smart, interesting people, so pop in to their McCormick Street hub and say hi!

06/07/2021

Build it and they will come!!

SE7 // EP6 // in this episode Alecia Hodgson from Silver Sixpence has a great yarn with Dan Fountain of .

In earlier years, Dan funded his snowboarding life by working in the building trade in Ohakune. He then came to Wanaka and built a professional, award-winning business.

The building trade is cranking here in Wanaka; he describes the industry as growing, with no slow-down on the horizon. His business is a little different from other building companies because he and his staff work with the client right from the design phase, working closely with the architects, through the consent process, designing interiors, sourcing finishing and products, all the way to moving in. This means they are able to build efficiently, the client knows what they are getting, and the building team know the plans inside out.

Dan chats balancing family, fun, a team and a full Wanaka life. Tune in to hear this great chat!

Head on over to listen: https://www.wanakapodcast.com/episodes/dan-fountain

Or look up Wanaka Podcast on your favourite podcast platform!



Season Seven is brought to you by the amazing team at Southern Lakes Motors. Like us, they enjoy talking to smart, interesting people, so pop in to their McCormick Street hub and say hi!

30/06/2021

Hey there bright eyes! 🤩

SE7 // EP5 // Alecia Hodgson from Silver Sixpence catches up with Danielle Winstone, owner of OCULA : Specialty Eyecare & Eyewear.

OUCLA Wanaka, Queenstown, and Christchurch have two key areas of business, boutique eyewear and they focus on leading the way in specialist optometry such as paediatrics, prosthetic contacts lenses, neuro-optometry for recovery from stroke and concussion. The clinics have cutting edge technology for vision care; they are at the forefront of a transition from treating eye disease to preventing it.

Danielle’s sub-speciality is paediatrics, but she has always wanted to own and drive her own business. Danielle spent the first 6 years of her life in Zimbabwe, and then she was raised in Australia. She went to school and university in Brisbane, travelled a little, then love of snowboarding brought her to Wanaka 12 years ago. She started her optometry life working in Eyes on Ardmore in Wanaka with a vision of owning the business one day.

Danielle describes herself as driven and focused on the big picture, she is a sharp operator with an inspiring story we know you will enjoy!

Head on over to listen: https://www.wanakapodcast.com/episodes/danielle-winstone

Or look up Wanaka Podcast on your favourite podcast platform!


Season Seven is brought to you by the amazing team at Southern Lakes Motors. Like us, they enjoy talking to smart, interesting people, so pop in to their McCormick Street hub and say hi!

22/06/2021

Lights. Camera. Action! ✨🎥🤩

SE7 // EP4 // Alecia Hodgson from Silver Sixpence chats with Joe Murdie of The Film Crew Ltd.

Joe grew up in South Auckland, where he started developing film in a home made dark room. He got his foot in the door to filming when a friend asked him to pick up a video camera for a project he was working on. This sparked a love of moving imagery.

Joe initially built a name for himself in rock and metal music videos and he then built a career on cinematography, news and broadcasting. Food TV production has provided Joe the opportunity to travel; for example he has spent time filming in New York and in the jungle in Malaysia in South East Asia.

A love of scenery underpins his move to Wanaka, along with time spent fly fishing and snowboarding in beautiful places. Joe and his wife Erin have built a couple of thriving businesses here in Central Otago. Joe has a full and fulfilling life behind the camera: tune in to hear this interesting chat.

Head on over to listen: https://www.wanakapodcast.com/episodes/joe-murdie
Or look up Wanaka Podcast on your favourite podcast platform!



Season Seven is brought to you by the amazing team at Southern Lakes Motors. Like us, they enjoy talking to smart, interesting people, so pop in to their McCormick Street hub and say hi!

15/06/2021

A not-to-be-missed episode with Wanaka Foodie Royalty!

SE7 // EP3 // Alecia Hodgson from Silver Sixpence has a great yarn with Sharyn Mathias owner of Florences Foodstore & Cafe.

Sharyn grew up among generations of her family under one roof. She was surrounded by strong, independent women: her grandmother, the Irish Catholic nuns at her high school, an influential French teacher and those she lived amongst in an Irish, Dutch, Yugoslav, Maori and Pasifika community.

Sharyn talks about her life as a teacher, and how she learnt about food, wine and hospitality while travelling the world, and about how hospitality creates whānau.

Tune in for this fascinating chat with another local legend.
Head on over to listen: https://www.wanakapodcast.com/episodes/sharyn-mathias

Or look up Wanaka Podcast on your favourite podcast platform!



Season Seven is brought to you by the amazing team at Southern Lakes Motors. Like us, they enjoy talking to smart, interesting people, so pop in to their McCormick Street hub and say hi!

08/06/2021

Your home is your castle right? Especially when you actually live in a castle!

This week we chat to the architect behind the Riverstone Castle (amoung many other incredible building achievements!)

SE7 // EP2 // Alecia Hodgson from Silver Sixpence speaks with the immensely talented Sarah Scott from Condon Scott Architects Ltd.

Sarah talks about her 45-year career in architecture. Sarah talks about how architecture has changed, from pen and paper to CAD drawings, and the extensive technical requirements now required in the industry.

Two projects that have stood out for Sarah are Dot Smith’s castle at Riverstone and Desiree Whitacker’s Cardrona Distillery. Research for these projects took Sarah to China, Scotland and deep into the lives of these creative women. These projects resulted in unique buildings and special friendships that are built to last a lifetime.

Thank you for coming on the show Sarah! Enjoy the listen folks!

Head on over to listen: https://www.wanakapodcast.com/episodes/sarah-scott

Or look up Wanaka Podcast on your favourite podcast platform!


Season Seven is brought to you by the amazing team at Southern Lakes Motors. Like us, they enjoy talking to smart, interesting people, so pop in to their McCormick Street hub and say hi!

01/06/2021

Welcome to Season Seven! New Fantastic Host + a New Line up of Incredible Wanaka Locals as our guests. We hope you enjoy! 💛💛

SE7 // EP1 // Alecia Hodgson from Silver Sixpence kicks off her season with a brilliant chat with Chantelle Thurlow from My Secret Picnic.

Chantelle's clever business provides a beautiful setting, scrumptious food and all the little touches for a romantic date with a special someone, a proposal, tying the knot, an elopement or giving a friend the warm fuzzies with a bridal or baby shower.

Setting up the perfect picnic is not as simple as it sounds. Chantelle lets us in on the behind the scenes antics of secret-keeping, dodging the weather, dog wrangling and setting up elaborate scenes in secret locations. Enjoy this fun and inspiring chat with Chantelle and Alecia!

Head on over to listen: https://www.wanakapodcast.com/episodes/chantelle-thurlow

Or look up Wanaka Podcast on your favourite podcast platform!


Season Seven is brought to you by the amazing team at Southern Lakes Motors. Like us, they enjoy talking to smart, interesting people, so pop in to their McCormick Street hub and say hi!

26/05/2021

Whoop! That's another season wrapped!

Thank you to all of our season six guests and to our host Joe Murdie from The Film Crew Ltd for another great season!

Joe Murdie is a storyteller by nature. He is an award-winning filmmaker who is interested in people, places, and history. Joe sees the world through a cinematographers’ lens and his love for all things film has seen him work as a DP and Cinematographer on a variety of productions around the world.

We have thoroughly enjoyed Joe's different spin on the Wanaka Podcast and we know you have too!

If you have missed any of Joe's episodes you can check them out on www.wanakapodcast.com!

See you here next week for the launch of Season Seven, what!!

21/05/2021

We thought we add some sunshine to your morning coffee on this fine Saturday morning by re-sharing some of our top episodes for those who may have missed them the first time around.

Check out this fun chat between Duncan Good and Kirsty Schmutsch from Pembroke Pâtisserie, talking about her and Matts journey to the stunning offering that we are lucky to be able to enjoy right here in Wanaka!

Speaking of coffee, why not have it with a delicious almond croissant from the talented team at Pembroke Pâtisserie while you listen! (not a paid plug haha, we just love them!)

Head on over to listen: https://www.wanakapodcast.com/episodes/kirsty-schmutsch

Or look up Wanaka Podcast on your favourite podcast platform!

Enjoy! 🥐☕️🍰

Kirsty owns and runs the Pembroke Patisserie. Duncan and Kirsty chat about her journey to Wanaka and building one of Wanaka’s tastiest businesses. Enjoy this chat!

20/05/2021

The Wanaka Podcast has just hit 15,000 downloads. Holy Moly!!

We had no idea that this little lockdown idea was going to be so loved!

Thank you all for tuning in and supporting all of our amazing local business owners and their stories!

We 💛 you all!

19/05/2021

A delicious chat with one of the top chefs in the region!

SE6 // EP5 // Joe Murdie from The Film Crew Ltd wraps his season with a great chat with Mario Gomes Rodrigues, Head Chef and Owner of Bistro Gentil.

Mario describes the restaurant as French cuisine with a Kiwi twist. Mario grew up in South Africa, he trained as a chef and then he headed to England to work in a 400-year-old hotel. He loves food and music in equal measure so for a period enjoyed live gigs and making food in London.

He came to Wanaka to work in Botswana Butchery, he stayed there for 2 years before moving to Bistro Gentil. He tells us about how we started as sous chef and eventually became the owner. During his time there he has fine-tuned their menu, their staff, kitchen and their beautiful restaurant. He is a duck specialist, a biltong master and in this episode he gives away some of his secrets. His plan is to support the locals, follow food fashion, BBQ like a king and put his own twist on food.

We know you will love this discussion, listen in - then visit Bistro Gentil for an incredible experience!

Head on over to listen: https://www.wanakapodcast.com/episodes/mario-rodrigues

Or look up Wanaka Podcast on your favourite podcast platform!



Season Six is brought to you by the amazing team at Southern Lakes Motors. Like us, they enjoy talking to smart, interesting people, so pop in to their McCormick Street hub and say hi!

11/05/2021

Just a causal chat with a NZ Music Awards nominee, nationwide touring artist and local audio tech expert.

SE6 // EP4 // feat. the immensely talented Danny Fairley.

This week Joe Murdie from The Film Crew Ltd speaks with Danny Fairley, owner of Mirrors Audio and founding member of soulful electronica band Arma Del Amor.

Danny tells us about his business Mirrors Audio which takes care of post-production for audio for commercials, short films and documentaries. He plays guitar, mixes electronics, enjoys scoring for quartet and basically mastering sound. The Mirrors Audio team compose, mix and master in their ‘musicians’ man cave’. He is a self-described metal head but he also loves an electronic, dub, hip hop, folk mash. Danny demystifies the music we all hear in TV ads and gives an insight into how it is produced as he explains this fascinating process.

Together with Martine Harding he also forms the band Arma Del Amor. Danny talks to Joe about the genesis of this project and how they went from writing the tunes to performing at Rippon festival and beyond.

A must tune in, get your ear-holes around this one!

Head on over to listen: https://www.wanakapodcast.com/episodes/danny-fairley

Or look up Wanaka Podcast on your favourite podcast platform!



Season Six is brought to you by the amazing team at Southern Lakes Motors. Like us, they enjoy talking to smart, interesting people, so pop in to their McCormick Street hub and say hi!

07/05/2021

We thought we add some sunshine to your morning coffee on this fine Saturday morning by re-sharing some of our top episodes for those who may have missed them the first time around.

Check out this fantastic listen with Rob Holt - who was recently voted as one of Wanaka's top barista's!

Pour a cuppa and have a listen! Head on over to listen: https://www.wanakapodcast.com/episodes/rob-holt

Or look up Wanaka Podcast on your favourite podcast platform!

Rob Holt from See Crow Fly coffee tells his tale about moving from Ireland to New Zealand, and from head dishwasher to head barista.

04/05/2021

POP QUIZ: Do you know who in this town has instructed the worlds highest pilates class on Mt Everest?!

SE6 // EP3 // feat. the very inspiring Vicky Hill from Central Lakes Physiotherapy and Pilates, that's who!

This week Joe Murdie from The Film Crew Ltd speaks with Vicky who owns and runs this successful Physiotherapy and Pilates studio here in Wanaka.

Vicky’s background is as varied as her interests. She was born in Germany but moved between UK and Scotland; her family moved a lot when she was a youngster as her father was in the Airforce. During this time in her life she lived in several small towns, but calls North East Scotland home.

Vicky has a passion for music; as a youngster she played flute and piano and as an adult she has taken up the ukulele and is part of the Wanaka Ukuleles group. In 2015 Vicky had the opportunity to support a climber in their attempt to reach the summit of Everest, working with Wanaka-based climbing company Adventure Consultants. Vicky talks about her terrifying experience at Everest Base Camp when the earthquake struck in 2015.

This chat has some real gems in it: bombs, earthquakes, avalanches and business all wrapped into one. It's a fantastic listen!

Head on over to listen: https://www.wanakapodcast.com/episodes/vicky-hill

Or look up Wanaka Podcast on your favourite podcast platform!



Season Five is brought to you by the amazing team at Southern Lakes Motors. Like us, they enjoy talking to smart, interesting people, so pop in to their McCormick Street hub and say hi!