Dave Baldwin (aka Doctor Dave) is a practicing GP in Bulls, and operates the Bulls Flying Doctor Service throughout NZ. He has a personality that is infectious, and is one of those larger than life characters that never seems to slow down. In this interview Dave tells with openness and honesty his personal story of how it all came about, the Healthy Bastards campaign, and the tragic loss of their son in 2012. And at the end of the interview there’s a bonus clip showing a little slice of the...

Ewan Smith founded Air Rarotonga nearly in 1978, and is still the Managing Director nearly 50 years later. In this interview he tells the story of how it all started, the ups and downs of running an airline in the remote south pacific, and also how personal tragedy has shaped his and his family's lives.

Kevin recently wrote an article titled “Golden Moments”, where he described his diagnosis and ongoing battle with the big “C”. He has received feedback from many people who have found it both moving and helpful in their own lives. Kevin was Chief Flying Instructor at the Marlborough Aero Club for 17 years, and has taught and mentored many pilots through their aviation training with his typical common sense, no nonsense, and sometimes non-traditional methods. NOTE: Kevin reads "Golden...

Ruth Shaw, author of bestselling "The Bookseller at the End of the World" and "Bookshop Dogs" describes with great courage and honesty her amazing life. This is an incredibly moving and inspiring story of tragedy and despair, but interlaced throughout with many heart warming moments. Episode Links: Two Wee Bookshop's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100074150511871 0:00 Introduction 29:16 Early Life 40:33 1963 1:07:08 Navy Wren 1:15:06 Stuart Island and Meeting...

Andrew London is an incredibly clever and talented songwriter, singer and musician. He has a reputation for his witty, satirical lyrics that comment on everyday life in New Zealand. Episode Links: Andrew's Website https://andrewlondon.co.nz/ Andrew's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@otakilondons Andrew's Facebook page https://facebook.com/andrewlondonnz 0:00 Introduction 6:58 I've Got to Get Myself Some New Friends 11:26 Inspiration for Songs 13:32 Set Me Up By the Bar 16:50 I...

Kylie has climbed and explored all over the world, including being the first New Zealand woman to ski to the South Pole. She has started and run various businesses, and along with her husband Ivan owns and runs Wings and Water - a floatplane company based in Te Anau, New Zealand. Episode Links: Wings and Water Website https://www.wingsandwater.co.nz ⁠0:00⁠ Introduction ⁠9:15⁠ Wings and Water ⁠31:04⁠ Early Life ⁠32:10⁠ Glacier Explorers ⁠45:29⁠ High Places Greenland ⁠50:21⁠...

Chris Long was raised in the wild and remote Gorge River. Since leaving home he has travelled extensively, working in some of the world's most hostile and beautiful environments, including Antarctica, Norway, China, and many others. He has written an autobiography titled "The Boy from Gorge River", and has documented many of his experiences on his WildKiwiAdventurer social media channels. Episode Links: Chris's Social Media Channels YouTube  @WildKiwiAdventurer  Instagram...

Ken Tustin has spent decades searching for the elusive moose in Fiordland, New Zealand. He has flown helicopters in Antarctica and all over the world, has spent many years researching Himalayan Tahr in NZ, and is a biologist and author. Episode Links: Stealth Films - "Fiordland Moose" & "Mountain Monarchs" DVD's https://www.stealthfilms.co.nz/dvds Natural History - "A Wild Moose Chase" Film https://www.nzgeo.com/video/a-wild-moose-chase/ Due to the length of this interview, I've divided...

Simon Heath founded and set up the Mistletoe Bay Trust and the Mistletoe Charitable Foundation. He has been a school teacher, principal, and has held many other education roles for nearly 40 years. He is passionate about sustainability, strong leadership, and excellence within schools. Also available on Spotify and other major podcast apps. 0:00 Introduction 3:53 NZ Education System vs Other Countries 11:47 Education during COVID 18:06 Teaching Career 26:12 E-Learning 37:04...

Richard Rayward has an incredible 60 years of aviation history that began back in 1966 when he quit his job and moved to live in a remote high altitude area of South Westland to hunt venison. With him he took his new wife, his new Cessna 180, and 70 hours total flight time. Since then he has created and stills runs (with his family) Air Safaris based in Tekapo. NOTE: I do apologise for the very average video quality in this interview. I am investing in new lighting equipment and upskilling...

Ross Millichamp worked for New Zealand Fish and Game for 25 years and is a very well known and respected author on all things hunting and fishing. In 2008 he fell sick with Necrotising Fasciitis (flesh eating disease) but after many tough months and years recovering is now back hunting, fishing, and flying his own aircraft. 0:00 Introduction 2:46 Early Life and Salmon in NZ 9:28 Salmon Life Cycle 16:32 Current State of NZ Salmon Fishery 28:20 Brown Trout Fishery & Water Management 42:41...

This is the very first of what I hope will be many interesting tales told by equally interesting Kiwi characters. In this first episode, my very good mate Willie Sage is my guinea pig, and we discuss his early life, getting started in his aviation career, Sounds Air, Vincent Aviation, and he gives advise for those entering an aviation career. 0:00 Introduction 0:50 Early Life 9:18 Gaining Confidence 14:25 Agrodome 25:05 Pilot Training in NZ 31:03 Mountain Air 38:14 Sounds Air (early...