Manawatū Conversations

Morrie shares the story behind his nickname and early Air Force career before discussing his work with Environment Network Manawatū. He outlines how the organisation supports around 65 volunteer-led groups across the region, focusing on climate, biodiversity, and food sovereignty through initiatives like community gardens and local food sharing.

Produced by Manawatū People’s Radio with support from New Zealand On Air.

Viv Stanley chats about what it’s really like to share a home with a long-time friend. She talks about balancing different habits, keeping communication open, and planning together as life changes. From dividing up tasks to supporting each other emotionally and practically, Viv shares why the arrangement works so well when the fit is right.

Produced by Manawatū People’s Radio with support from New Zealand On Air.

Viv Stanley shares how she and a long‑time friend chose to buy and live in a spacious, future‑proof home together in Feilding. After selling their separate houses, they designed a setup that balances independence and companionship, with two private living areas, equal master bedrooms, and accessible features. Viv also talks through the legal planning, shared costs, and clear agreements that make their co‑ownership secure, practical, and friendship‑friendly.

Produced by Manawatū People’s Radio with support from New Zealand On Air.

John Dermer describes his long involvement in farm forestry

Farm forestry began in the 1950s and spread nationwide

He planted mainly radiata pine on his farm

Trees were used for timber, shelter, and land protection

Creeks and rivers were fenced and planted early

Pruning and thinning aimed to produce clear wood

Floods in 2004 caused major damage despite planting

Trees did not prevent severe erosion in extreme floods

Government support helped with recovery and repairs

Farming reforms in the 1980s were financially traumatic

Forestry became part of farm diversification

Dermer later served in national farm forestry leadership.

John Dermer grew up on a farm and began farming work in 1963.

He spent two years at Homewood Station in the Wairarapa.

He later studied for a sheep farming diploma at Massey University.

John valued formal agricultural education and lifelong learning.

He used farm advisors throughout most of his farming career.

Boarding at Whanganui Collegiate was a positive and formative experience.

After Massey, he completed a period of compulsory army training.

His father bought additional farms so both sons could farm.

John worked steep hill country and undertook major land development.

Community cooperation was strong in earlier farming districts.

He eventually took over the Cheltenham family farm in 1974.

He farmed there for 45 years and raised his family on the land.

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.

Radio was once the main source of entertainment in the family home

Families gathered around the radio for music, requests, and shared routines

Television later disrupted this shared listening culture and changed family life

Palmerston North originally had only one commercial radio station, 2ZA

Non-commercial national radio later filled a gap for listeners seeking alternatives

Once all radio stations operated on the AM band, now most have switched to FM.

Technical staff numbers were once large and essential to daily broadcasting

The arrival of private and FM radio greatly increased competition and choice

Modern networking has weakened the local presence of many radio stations

Civil defence emergencies revealed serious flaws in centralised broadcasting systems

Low-power community FM stations proved effective in local crises

Volunteer-run stations like Radio Woodville show the enduring value of local radio

Most radio stations are now streaming on the internet with potentially greater coverage than FM.

Glenn and Carol moved from Lower Hutt to Ashhurst for a rural lifestyle.

They bought two and a bit acres of bare paddock land around 2007.

The move followed a chance overnight stay during a campervan trip.

They sold their renovated Lower Hutt home and started from scratch.

They lived in a garage for about a year while building and fencing.

All services had to be planned, including power, water, and access.

Carol commuted long distances while Glenn worked locally.

Over time they planted extensively and learned by trial and error.

The block now supports animals, gardens, and mature trees.

Water and wastewater systems are fully self-contained and regulated.

They learned practical skills and relied on helpful neighbours.

The lifestyle has been hard work but deeply rewarding.

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.

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.