Wilma and Nicki reminisce on 18 years of producing Italian programmes for PlainsFM

Following the earthquakes Stefano has worked with the team developing new EQ resistant structures, and he’s represented Christchurch to the international network of scientific research on how to make towns safer in the event of an earthquake. Cartolina met Stefano and wife Sonia, also an engineer, on their arrival in Christchurch 15 years ago, and followed them when they became a young family. Now Stefano alternates his work in Christchurch with his work in Italy, where he teaches at the University of Rome La Sapienza. We play: Rondo` Veneziano, and Notti Magiche (Bennato-Nannini).

“Sportello Inas NZ” is the first Patronato Service in New Zealand. It provides advice to Italians who are NZ residents, and to New Zealanders of Italian origin, in terms of pensions, taxes, inheritance, citizenship, and various documents. We talk with Roberto Di Denia, the Italian volunteer who provides a front-line information service, and collects and organizes all questions and paperwork, and forwards them to the Melbourne office. The contacts of Sportello Inas are: 021 256 189; [email protected].

“Sportello Inas NZ” is the first Patronato Service in New Zealand, started on 1 September this year. The service will be provided by the Melbourne Inas, with local support. We talk with the Director of Inas Australia Ciro Fiorini. He explains what kind of free service the Patronato offers to Italians in Australia and in New Zealand. We play from the album Burocrazia, by Matteo Bonechi: “Sono solo 3 ore che aspetto”, and a short audio with the guidelines for retirement age. The local contacts of Sportello Inas are: 021 256 189; [email protected].

Mat and Kim Chavez chose Italy as their honeymoon destination: Roma, Firenze & Venezia, in a pre-booked tour. Here they share their experience, their gelato-mania, and some nice “Untraveled American” moment.

Clare and Jeremy Dyer (of the Governors Bay Hotel) have recently returned from Apulia, where they tried to buy a house in the sea-town of Otranto, but were beaten by two days by another bidder. They tell of the challenges of house hunting, and what takes them to South Italy year after year. http://plainsfm.org.nz is where you can find all recent programmes in podcast. Buon Ascolto from the producer Wilma Laryn

This is the last part of the interview with Zeffirino Veronese. Some of his stories have been published in his just-released book “A Hunter in Paradise”, a collection of his best adventures, with some precious pages about the whole family history. But of course hearing the same stories told directly by Zeff with self-deprecating humour and in a matter-of-fact way is a different matter. http://plainsfm.org.nz is where you can find all recent programmes in podcast. Buon Ascolto from the producer Wilma Laryn

The third part of Zeffirino Veronese’s story. He tells about his marriage to Gwen, about being part of the first Italian football team, and about his passion for hunting, recorded in the book ‘NZ Hunting Legends’, and in his own, just published, book ‘A Hunter in Paradise’.

Following up on the previous programme, Zeffirino Veronese tells about his sister Dorina’s courtship by, and subsequent marriage to, a New Zealand soldier at the end of the war. Then he moved to New Zealand, along with his brothers, sisters, and parents. Zeffirino describes what was work like in the steel industry, and in the tyre industry. Buying houses, shooting rabbits and boar, and getting married. Hunting became a big part of Zeffirino’s life, bringing to publishing his best hunting stories. http://plainsfm.org.nz is where you can find all recent programmes in podcast. Buon Ascolto from the producer Wilma Laryn

Zeffirino Veronese tells his story, from the war times in Italy to the immigration to Christchurch, along with the rest of his large family. While the Veronese brothers have left their sign in this town with their wrought iron industry, Zeffirino has also a great passion for hunting. He’s a great story-teller. http://plainsfm.org.nz is where you can find all recent programmes in podcast. Buon Ascolto from the producer Wilma Laryn