Manawatū Conversations

What would it be like to live almost entirely off the grid?

Kaydee Zabelin and her family have been doing that for nearly ten years.

They live in a forested area near Palmerston North.

Their electricity comes from solar panels and a wind turbine.

They grow much of their own food and practise organic gardening.

Their chickens provide eggs and help with composting.

Kaydee explains how they have learned to become more self-sufficient.

Much of their knowledge has come through research and trial and error.

They've also rediscovered skills that earlier generations took for granted.

Even everyday cleaning products are often made at home.

Kaydee talks about the pleasures and challenges of this unusual lifestyle

and how becoming more self-reliant has changed the way her family lives.

An oral history interview looking at the past and present of Palmerston North and the Manawatū, produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

Nigel Ramsden talks about his family and his involvement in the local community.

He shares the achievements of his grandchildren in America, including Maya’s journey from Harvard to the Paris Olympics.

Nigel then introduces Manchester House, a social services charity that has been helping people in Feilding for more than 50 years.

He explains how it supports people facing poverty, addiction, loneliness and family difficulties.

Nigel became involved through fundraising and now helps with marketing, sponsorship and community connections.

He also looks back on his long career in newspaper advertising and marketing, including 25 years with the Dominion.

The conversation turns to the changes he has seen in newspapers, farming and rural communities.

He shares some memories of the Pohangina Valley, reflecting on how the area and its people have changed over the years.

An oral history interview looking at the past and present of Palmerston North and the Manawatū, produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

We hear from Nigel Ramsden, whose family has a long association with the Pohangina Valley.

That connection began in 1906, when his grandfather Harold Betham took over a largely undeveloped hill-country farm at just 18 years of age.

Nigel takes us back to a time when horses were an everyday part of farm life and simply getting around the valley could mean crossing rivers.

He remembers growing up on the family sheep and cattle farm after the Second World War, helping with animals and the many chores that came with country life.

It was also a close-knit community, with small rural schools, churches, local stores, dances and Saturday-night gatherings.

Pohangina itself was once a surprisingly busy little centre, serving families scattered throughout the valley.

There was plenty of time for tennis, picnics and swimming, as well as the hard work of running a farm.

Nigel remembers it as a happy childhood in a part of Manawatū that was still relatively isolated.

He also recalls the enormous change of leaving his tiny country school and heading away to boarding school at about the age of 12.

In this interview, Nigel shares some wonderful memories of his family, the farm and everyday life in the Pohangina Valley.

An oral history interview looking at the past and present of Palmerston North and the Manawatū, produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

Jacquie continues her story about working in real estate.

She explains the different qualifications available.

She prefers making time for family and her horse.

Her day often begins around 4.30 in the morning.

Good communication with clients is very important to her.

She enjoys the unpredictable nature of real estate.

Training and regulation have improved the industry.

The internet has transformed how people find homes.

Videos and drones are now valuable selling tools.

Jacquie is proud when former clients return to her.

She also discusses rentals and retirement living.

After many years, she still enjoys real estate.

An oral history interview looking at the past and present of Palmerston North and the Manawatū, produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

Jacquie Campion has lived around Feilding for about 40 years.

She came here from Wellington with her two young children.

At first, she lived around Kimbolton and Kiwitea.

A trained hairdresser, she began doing mobile hairdressing.

It was a great way to get out and meet local people.

She later sold early home computers and Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Her success with Britannica even took her on overseas trips.

She then moved into office work and property management.

That eventually led to a long and successful career in real estate.

Jacquie says real estate is really about talking and listening to people.

Away from work, horses and dressage are a big part of her life.

And after 40 years, she’s very much at home in the Feilding community.

An oral history interview looking at the past and present of Palmerston North and the Manawatū, produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

Tom Barry explores how New Zealand farming can become more sustainable while creating new income opportunities. He highlights the potential of turning forestry waste into biofuels instead of leaving it to cause erosion and flood damage.

He also sees renewable energy as a win for farmers, with solar and wind farms allowing livestock to keep grazing while providing valuable extra income.

The discussion also covers aquaculture, with Tom describing the promise of mussels, salmon and kingfish as low-carbon export industries that could create jobs and boost regional economies. He believes these industries have a bright future if practical challenges can be overcome.

An oral history interview looking at the past and present of Palmerston North and the Manawatū, produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

Examines proposals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from New Zealand agriculture by 2050. The speakers explain how lower livestock numbers, greater farming efficiency, and increased use of horticulture and forestry could contribute to meeting emissions targets. Discussion on the role of the Emissions Trading Scheme, carbon credits, and alternative land uses. The conversation also considers the economic impact of these changes on farmers, including investment opportunities and market risks. The programme provides an overview of the issues shaping the future of New Zealand farming

An oral history interview looking at the past and present of Palmerston North and the Manawatū, produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

Tom Barry reflects on leaving England in 1968 to begin a career in animal nutrition at Invermay Research Centre in Dunedin. Adapting to New Zealand's farming systems, larger-scale agriculture and different seasons was a huge change, but it soon became home. During 17 years of research, he worked on improving sheep nutrition and pasture production, while also meeting Annette, marrying, and settling in New Zealand. In 1985 he moved to Massey University, where he found a passion for teaching and supervising PhD students. Looking back, Tom describes how agricultural research has evolved from increasing production to developing more sustainable farming systems for the future

An oral history interview looking at the past and present of Palmerston North and the Manawatū, produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

Tom Barry grew up on a small dairy farm in Yorkshire, England, where life was hard and children were expected to help from an early age. An unexpected year in hospital gave him access to a much better education and opened doors that had previously seemed closed. Although his parents wanted him to stay in a secure industrial job, Tom’s passion was always agriculture. Encouraged by New Zealand agricultural leader Max Cooper, he came to New Zealand in 1968 and built a long career in agricultural research before spending 25 years at Massey University. Looking back, he says the decision to follow his own path was the making of his life, bringing both a rewarding career and the lifelong partner he met soon after arriving.

An oral history interview looking at the past and present of Palmerston North and the Manawatū, produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

For Leona Revell, every live performance is a unique shared experience—no two shows are ever quite the same. She believes theatre helps people feel seen and represented, just as it once gave her confidence by seeing herself reflected on stage. Whether through improv or traditional productions, theatre brings people together, builds empathy, and invites us to see the world from different perspectives. It can challenge our thinking, spark conversations long after the curtain falls, and even provide a welcome escape while supporting our wellbeing.

An oral history interview looking at the past and present of Palmerston North and the Manawatū, produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.