Breakfast Southland with Chitty

Southland and the Catlins have just hosted one of the world’s toughest adventure races — The Magnificent — and Team Further Faster AR has survived to tell the tale. Michael Mitchell joins us fresh off 700+ km of biking, trekking, pack‑rafting, wild weather, sleep deprivation and pure grit.
We talk brutal terrain, high‑stakes navigation, the mental vs physical battle, team morale, standout moments, and what recovery looks like after pushing your mind and body to the edge. One epic chat about one epic race.

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Our weekly catch‑up with Annie Nelson takes an unexpected turn as she tells us about her evening speaking at the Give & Gain night with the International Soroptimists Women. From inspiring wāhine to household etiquette, we then dive into the great Kiwi debate: shoes on or off? 

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Tom and Damon step in for the Locker Room lads, and we unpack the story of the rascals who accidentally donated a bag of cash and weed, plus the eye‑watering cost of food and alcohol at the Australian F1 Grand Prix. 

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Matt Tumohe spent years as a top‑level, highly respected shearer—before making the massive decision to step away from full‑time shearing to study medicine. Now in his first-year practising as a doctor in Hastings, Matt stopped by the studio while home for the 60th Southern Shears to share his extraordinary journey. We talk about going from the woolshed to the hospital ward, the lessons each world has given him, and why both will remain deeply connected in his life.

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In our weekly catch‑up, South Otago dairy farmer Mathew Korteweg unpacks the latest Global Dairy Trade Index results and what they actually mean for farmers on the ground. He also gives us his take on what’s going on with Fonterra right now, and explains how a whole summer’s worth of farming jobs somehow ended up squeezed into one rare burst of South Otago sunshine. 

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In part two of our Kids Hub series, we move from the history to the here‑and‑now with current board members Melissa Wishart and Vicki Ramsay. We explore what the Hub represents today, how its shared values of connection, play, inclusiveness and collaboration come to life, and what it’s like steering three organisations under one roof. Melissa and Vicki share the feedback they hear from local families, the moments that remind them why the Hub exists, and the vision guiding this next chapter. A warm, insightful look at one of Gore’s most loved family spaces.

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Q and Hewi dive into two big talking points this week. First up: the newly approved Waikaka open‑cut gold mine — a major project with some of the toughest environmental conditions ever imposed locally. The boys give their take on the decision, the jobs, the rules, and what it all means for the region. Then we jump into the growing debate around giving prisoners more phone access, including the idea of a phone in every cell. 

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This week, Annie Nelson is back with stories, laughs, and a surprising lack of party invitations. We chat about why her mailbox isn’t exactly overflowing with social events — and who she needs to start partying with. Then it’s time for Hoko‑style Family Feud, as Annie attempts to guess the nation’s most annoying passenger habits. From backseat drivers to dashboard feet and unsolicited “watch out!” warnings, we put Annie to the test and get plenty of laughs along the way.

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In this Council Chit‑Chat special, Health, Safety & Wellbeing Advisor Josh Ward from Gore District Council joins us to talk about a new community firearms‑safety campaign at Dolamore Park. Josh explains the recent incidents that raised red flags, why Dolamore is not a safe access point for hunters, and which of the Seven Firearm Safety Rules matter most in a family park.

We also cover what’s changing on the ground — including new signage and safety messaging — and why Police, DOC and local gun clubs have come on board with unified support. Josh shares practical planning tips for hunters, the safest access routes, and highlights free online training from the Firearms Safety Authority and the Game Animal Council. A must‑listen for both hunters and families heading into a busy autumn.

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South Otago farmer Mathew Korteweg joins us for a yarn about rolling with the punches after a tough scanning result, turning a setback into quality father‑son time camping with young Beau, the importance of staying positive, and why he and the lads are splitting firwood. 

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