Breakfast Southland with Chitty

Clinton’s Briar Dawson is a young mum facing an incredibly tough challenge after a shock cancer diagnosis.

Briar is determined to make the most of her time with her daughter, and there’s a way we can all help. In this chat, we’ll hear her story, how she’s coping with treatment, and how the community can support her through the Givealittle page set up by her family.

Young Mum's battle against stage 4 colon cancer - Givealittle

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Tessa Geddes joins us with all the details on the upcoming Waikaia Poker Run.
This is a fantastic community event that’s all about fun, fundraising, and a bit of friendly competition — supporting Waikaia School and the Waikaia Forest Trails. We’ll find out how the Poker Run works, what’s planned for the day, and why it’s such a highlight for the community.

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Arms Reform & Lotto Dreams
It’s just our mate Quentin (Q) Whitehead flying solo this morning, but we’re diving into two big topics. First up, New Zealand’s major gun law overhaul — what’s changing, why it matters, and Q’s take on whether these reforms hit the mark. Then we flip the script: if he ever bought a Lotto ticket and won $45 million, what would he do first? 

The Locker Room Lads - proudly brought to us each Wednesday thanks to Quinns Unichem Pharmacy !

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Local legend Hayley Cowan gets real.

One of my best mates, Hayley Cowan, opens up about her surprise bowel cancer diagnosis and the journey that followed. It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of awareness, early detection, and getting our moves on to support the cause. Her story is brave, honest, and one you won’t want to miss.

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Josh Lawton is a man on a mission.

One of our local lads, Josh has found a way to combine his passion for fitness with a cause close to his heart. Coming up this December, he’s taking on a massive challenge: 80km of running, 2,400 push-ups, and 1,200 pull-ups — all in just 24 hours! It’s bold, it’s brutal, and it’s all for something bigger than himself.

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Southland & Clutha face the storm — and the recovery.

On 24 October 2025, Southland and the Clutha region (South/West Otago) were officially declared a state of emergency following a wild wind event that caused widespread damage. Just days later, on Labour Day, we welcomed Hon Mark Mitchell, Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery, and Gore District Mayor Ben Bell into the studio for a catch-up. We talked response, recovery, and what’s next for our region.

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Dai Henwood brings the laughs — and the heart — to Southland.

Before 7 Days Live lit up the Civic Theatre in Invercargill, comedy legend Dai Henwood joined me in studio for a kōrero full of laughs, insight, and a few cheeky predictions. We talked about his recent ONZM honour, what keeps 7 Days fresh after all these years, and the joy of bringing comedy to the Deep South.

Dai also opened up about his cancer journey and how using humour to tackle tough topics has deepened his connection with audiences. Plus, we played a round of “Roll the Dai” — guessing who from the 7 Days crew was most likely to crack up mid-set, get roasted by the crowd, or be last standing at the afterparty.

And yes… I may or may not have had the ultimate fangirl moment. Because honestly, the world’s a better place with Dai Henwood in it — his humour, his heart, his courage. Absolute legend.

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Jack “Ranfurly Shield” Taylor touches down — and Southland is fizzing!

Fresh off the plane and carrying the mighty Log o’ Wood, Jack Taylor landed in Southland with the Ranfurly Shield in hand — bringing it back to the south for the first time in years. I caught up with him at the airport, and it was exactly what you’d expect: the boys were buzzing, the region was electric, and Jack was right at the heart of it all.

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Each Wednesday, thanks to Quinns Unichem Pharmacy, we catch up with a bunch of local lads who tell it like it is. On this episode, Hewi and Nathan join the chat the morning after the Melbourne Cup — sharing their thoughts, a few hot takes, and what things might look like if they were running the Mataura Licensing Trust.
It’s honest, insightful, and classic Southland banter

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Scott Eade steps up — a new era for the Southland Stags.

Joining us is a name well-known to Southland rugby fans — former player, Pathways Manager, and now newly appointed Head Coach of the SBS Bank Southland Stags, Scott Eade. After a full season as Assistant Coach in charge of Defence, Scott takes the reins as Rugby Southland shifts to a new coaching structure.

We talk about his reaction to getting the top job, how his journey through Southland rugby shapes his leadership, and what the move to a single Head Coach model means for the team’s performance and culture. Scott also shares what it means to lead the Stags as a proud born-and-bred Southlander — and responds to critics who say he’s too young or should’ve gained experience elsewhere first.

Looking ahead to 2026, Scott’s got big plans, big energy, and a deep sense of pride in the region. It’s the start of something exciting.

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