This morning on the show, we’re catching up on some of the stories making headlines around Wānaka, Otago and beyond.

A new liquor store has been approved for Ardmore Street in Wānaka despite local opposition, Kings of Leon are heading to Christchurch for a major music festival, and we look at new advice around what you drink in the evening and how it could be affecting your sleep.

Plus, we touch on the importance of secure storage for business files and records.

Local stories, a bit of music news, and something to think about before your next bedtime drink. Catch up on the best bits from the Breakfast Show.

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What if the homes we build today were designed to still be standing, healthy and efficient, more than 100 years from now?

In this episode, Jack catches up with Filippo Scaramella, founder of Marble & More, to talk about why we need to rethink the way we build in New Zealand.

Originally from Italy, Filippo brings decades of experience in European building methods and a passion for creating healthier, more energy-efficient and sustainable homes.

He shares why the materials we choose matter, from reducing chemicals and improving indoor air quality to cutting energy use and keeping construction waste out of landfill.

Filippo also talks about Marble & More's cold-ventilated roofing systems, designed to last more than 100 years, and his work promoting THOMA, a solid-wood construction system made from pure timber without toxic glues or chemicals.

At the heart of the conversation is a simple idea: building sustainably isn't just about the environment. It's about building better, healthier homes that are made to last.

Filippo will also be part of Sustainable by Design on the Better Building Day Tour at Wao Summit 2026, sharing practical ideas for taking a longer-term approach to the homes and buildings we create.

It's a conversation about craftsmanship, sustainability and what could change if we stopped building for the short term and started thinking generations ahead.

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In this episode, Jack catches up with Nikki from House of Travel Wānaka to talk travel inspiration, upcoming events, and why having a local travel expert in your corner can make all the difference.

Nikki shares details on two upcoming client evenings in Wānaka, featuring Viking River and Ocean Cruising and Intrepid Touring, giving locals the chance to explore different ways to travel and start thinking about their next adventure.

They also look back at the recent House of Travel Travel Expo, which attracted more than 140 people, and chat about what goes into creating a holiday that suits you.

From cruises and guided tours to completely tailor-made adventures, Nikki explains how the House of Travel Wānaka team gets to know their clients and helps turn travel ideas into real trips.

Plus, find out how you can RSVP for the upcoming evenings and connect with the local team.

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This week on Dishes with Del, Del has the perfect dinner for those chilly spring evenings: Thai chicken meatballs with coconut curry rice, all cooked together as a one-pan wonder.

Del takes us through making simple chicken meatballs using finely chopped chicken breast, onion, breadcrumbs and egg, with plenty of room to use whatever else you already have in the kitchen. Garlic, ginger, coriander, carrot, leftover veggies or even a little bacon can all go into the mix. It’s an easy way to stretch a smaller amount of chicken further and cut down on food waste.

Then it’s onto the curry. Del’s big tip is to use whatever curry paste you already have in the fridge, whether that’s green, red or yellow. Cook the paste slowly in a little oil for three to four minutes before adding anything else. This helps develop the flavour and gives the finished curry much more depth.

Once the curry paste is cooked, add your rice and toast it in all that curry flavour. Pour in a can of coconut milk, crumble in a chicken stock cube, then return the seared chicken meatballs to the pan.

Pop the lid on and cook everything gently over a low heat for around 20 minutes, keeping an eye on the rice and adding a splash of water if it needs a little more liquid.

You can also turn it into a tray bake. Cover everything with foil and cook at around 185°C for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the rice and chicken are completely cooked.

Del’s Thai Chicken Meatballs with Coconut Curry Rice

For the meatballs:

• Chicken breast, finely chopped or minced
• Onion
• Breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• Garlic
• Ginger, if you have it
• Fresh coriander or other herbs
• Salt
• Optional veggies such as grated carrot or broccoli
• Optional bacon for a little extra fat and flavour

For the curry rice:

• Thai curry paste, green, red or yellow
• 2 to 3 tbsp oil
• Rice
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 chicken stock cube
• Water, if needed

The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility. Del’s advice is to use what you’ve already got rather than buying a whole list of new ingredients. Even when buying the chicken, if you only need one breast, ask at the supermarket butchery rather than buying a larger packet you don’t need.

Del also shares some exciting news about his latest project, creating seasonal recipes for Tui, the home and garden company. Over the coming months, you’ll be able to find some of Del’s seasonal cooking inspiration through Tui’s gardening website and social channels.

For more recipes, cooking tips and inspiration, check out disheswithdel.com and follow Dishes with Del on social media.

And of course, catch Dishes with Del every Wednesday on Radio Wānaka Breakfast.

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Jack takes a look at some of the stories making headlines this morning, including a surprising estimate of how many people have overstayed their visas in New Zealand.

He also dives into the rise of the side hustle. More young people are turning hobbies and passions into ways to make money, but does everything we enjoy really need to become a business? And at what point does a hobby stop being a hobby?

Plus, there’s a look at the financial pressure facing university students, with reports of some students skipping meals while university bosses earn salaries of up to $827,000 a year.

From immigration and the cost of education to our obsession with turning passions into profit, Jack breaks down the stories and asks what they say about life in New Zealand right now.

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What does resilience actually look like when you put it into action?

In this episode, Jack catches up with Tess, General Manager of Wānaka-based Think Solar, to talk about sustainability, adapting to a changing climate, and the practical steps businesses can take to make a difference.

Tess shares Think Solar’s journey, including the move to a 100% electric vehicle fleet, reducing the company’s exposure to changing fuel prices, and helping customers better understand the benefits of solar energy and battery storage.

They also explore why staying true to your values matters, how sustainability can make good business sense, and the opportunities businesses have to lead by example.

It’s a local story about turning big environmental goals into practical action, one decision at a time.

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We look at how vaping has hooked a generation of young people who may never have otherwise smoked, and how nicotine found a whole new audience.

There’s also a brilliant story of perseverance from the Wānaka Golf Club, where one pair finally claimed victory after 49 attempts.

Plus, Wānaka’s tourism sector is showing strong signs of recovery, with overseas visitor numbers climbing back beyond pre-Covid levels.

It’s a mix of serious issues, great local stories and a reminder that sometimes persistence really does pay off.

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The Dunedin Craft Beer & Food Festival is back this weekend, bringing together great drinks, great food and plenty of entertainment.

In this episode, Jack catches up with Jason from the festival to find out what’s in store for 2026.

What started as a student-led event back in 2013 has grown into a massive two-day festival featuring more than 70 vendors. And despite the name, it’s not just about beer. There are cocktails, spirits and plenty of food, from oysters and whitebait patties to burgers and more.

Jason takes us behind the scenes of this year’s event, including the VIP experience, the Silent Disco, entertainment across the weekend and what makes the festival such a big Dunedin occasion.

If you’re heading along this weekend, or still deciding whether to make the trip, here’s everything you need to know about the Dunedin Craft Beer & Food Festival.

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Wānaka’s Keity Garcia has been nominated for the Exercise New Zealand People’s Choice Award, recognising the impact she’s making through yoga and within the local community.

Keity has been practising yoga for more than 20 years, with her journey taking her from Brazil to Wānaka, where she has lived since 2019. She’s also the driving force behind Wānaka’s annual International Day of Yoga.

In this chat, Keity shares how yoga helped her through some of life’s toughest moments, including losing her father and experiencing burnout, and how those experiences eventually led her to teaching.

For Keity, yoga isn’t simply about becoming more flexible. It’s about building awareness, resilience and learning how to respond to whatever life throws your way.

We also chat about what the People’s Choice nomination means to her and why she sees it as recognition of the wider Wānaka fitness and wellbeing community.

Hear Keity’s story and find out how you can support her in the Exercise New Zealand People’s Choice Award.

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Catch up on what’s making news around Wānaka.

In this episode, we look at a major funding boost for local arts, snowsports and community initiatives, plus some of the best places to eat, drink and grab a coffee around town.

We also turn to a more serious issue on our roads: driver fatigue. How dangerous is it to get behind the wheel when you’re tired, and are we taking the risk seriously enough?

Local stories, useful updates and a snapshot of what’s happening around Wānaka, with thanks to Willowridge Developments for supporting the local news

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