Category: Interviews

A set of interviews with all folks – from all walks of life.

“The Age of the Independent” – Why Sam Jennings Wants to Represent Ōtaki

In the year of a tightly contested election, having an independent candidate represent a relatively small but growing town may be an excellent strategy that pays big dividends. Whichever party gets into power, they might need the extra vote from Sam. Having an independent MP representing Ōtaki would be a huge political coup for the town – it would be the equivalent of having a genie in Parliament being able to grant any wish the electorate wanted.

This week we talk to Sam Jennings about his ideas, hopes and motivations in running as an independent MP representing Ōtaki.

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The Life Acoustic: Interview with Kevin Meehan, Founder and President of Mainly Acoustic

Kevin Meehan helped to found Mainly Acoustic over 35 years ago, and despite many changes in the music industry over that time, it has trundled along with an active audience, membership and committee. As he prepares to retire as President, Kevin reflects on his 35 years of involvement with the club.

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Making the Most of the Ōtaki Microclimate

The Milk Station Grows Olives and Figs in the Otaki Microclimate

 

Over the past few years, Lyndia Wood has quietly built a formerly abandoned milk factory in Ōtaki into a destination venue for weddings and events.

In part to suit the Italianate design style of the refurbished Milk Station, Lyndia cultivated figs and olives (which she now sells to restaurants and supermarkets), thanks in part to the superb microclimate in Ōtaki.

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How to Get Organic Certification in New Zealand

Each year, the revenue for organic certified exporting companies increases. It seems almost that New Zealand is built for organic production – the methodologies tie in well with New Zealand’s clean green farming image and can offer a point of difference for exports. For those reasons, an understanding of organic certification is probably quite critical to contemporary primary producers (small just as much as large).

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The Greener Neighbourhoods Competition

Greener Neighbourhoods is a competition that has been running through the Kāpiti Coast District Council for the past seven years. What is interesting about the programme is not only has it galvanised a large number of local neighbourhoods to reduce their environmental footprints, but it has also spiralled outwards into a wide range of unrelated ecological initiatives that have stood the test of time and appear to have gained a high level of community engagement.

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Decline in Wellington Rugby Sevens Tickets Leads to an 88% Drop in Revenue From Costume Hires – Interview with a Local Business

Over the seasons since 2014, the Costume Company has seen an overall drop of 88% revenue during the week leading up to the Rugby Sevens in Wellington.

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