Summer Times for Wednesday 5 January 2022

9:10 Campground check-in: Hot Water Beach Top 10 Holiday Park

We check in with Sheree Webster form Hot Water Beach Top 10 Holiday Park to hear just how busy they've been and the conditions of the famous warm water.

 

9:20 Orchard Garden in Alexandra

To the other end of the country now - Alexandra - and one of the beautiful local venues, Orchard Garden. After nearly 34 years of running the orchard, the owner-operators - and avid gardeners - are calling it quits. They're putting the business up for sale. One half of the owner-operator couple, Dale Butcher joins Jesse to explain the decision.

 

9:30 Surf Update: Whangamata

We're heading to the Coromandel - Whangamata to be specific. Jesse checks in with Matt Millward, the Head life guard at the Whanagamata Surf Life Saving Club.

 

9:45 Australia Update with Brad Foster

Our Australian Correspondent Brad Foster updates us on the spread of Omicron, how testing centres are coping with the demand and the impact the surge of cases has had on the hospitality sector.

 

10:00 New year, better financial wellbeing for women

A recent report by the Financial Services Council found women contribute less to their Kiwisaver funds than men... they have lower average balances and are less likely to have added investments. Some of the reasons are the gender pay gap, a lack of financial knowledge and the fact women are more likely to be victims of financial abuse in relationships. Mercer are now on a mission to prioritise financial well-being for women in Aotearoa, and Sarah Whitelock oversees their Kiwisaver scheme. Sarah joins Jesse to talk about how Kiwi women can take control of their financial futures in 2022.

 

10:20 Frank Watkinson and his viral YouTube covers 

The internet can be a scary place, but every now and then we're reminded of the wonderful things it can do. For example, introducing us to Frank Watkinson, the British retiree who went viral for his heartfelt acoustic covers of popular songs. 

His YouTube channel has now had over 14 million views, and over 400,000 subscribers. Frank chats to Jesse from his home in Cambridgeshire in the UK.

You can find all his covers and original music on his YouTube channel here.

 

11:00 Bookmarks with Waikato District Mayor Allan Sanson

Waikato District Mayor Allan Sanson is a third generation farmer from Huntly who has served on the council since 2001 and has been Mayor since 2010. This is the information you can find out about the Waikato Mayor after a quick search online but today we're going to dig a bit deeper, and hear about his favourite things.

 

11:30 Off season sports chat with Krystal Rota

Rugby league player Krystal Rota has represented and captained the Kiwi Ferns and was a part of the women's Warriors squad from 2018-2019. Krystal has recently been signed by the Newcastle Knights to compete in the upcoming NRLW season.

 

11:45 Summer Hero: Firefighter Bobby Lamont

While most of you listening right now will be at the beach, camp ground or on a road trip to your next holiday destination... Many New Zealanders are still at work, doing the hard yards to keep us all safe. Bobby Lamont is the Group Manager for Central Otago Fire and Emergency New Zealand. He manages and supports the 11 fire brigades within Central Otago and has been working right through the busy holiday period.