WTS Waikato

ADHD is challenging – even moreso in Covid-19 lockdown. Dory Connor from Acing ADHD is doing ADHD coaching with people throughout the country, including in the Waikato. She herself has lived experience of having attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder. Dory joins us on WTS Lockdown Edition to give us all some hints and tips on how we can hold things together when we get cabin fever at home.

Come be enlightened to the quirkier social phenomena of the Waikato.

It's Covid fighting time! At the forefront of the response is Te Kohao Health, based at Kirikiriroa Marae, on Hamilton’s Wairere Drive. It’s been operating for well over two decades, and is more relevant to the wider community than ever during the current pandemic. Lady Tureiti Moxon, the chief executive of Te Kohao Health, joined WTS Lockdown Edition on Zoom to chat about the organisation.

Come be enlightened to the quirkier social phenomena of the Waikato.

Andrew Johnstone and his pet cows return for another great yarn on WTS, this time over Zoom in WTS Lockdown Edition. We hear what lockdown is like on the farm, talk about a film that's being made about Andrew and his cows Maggie and Tilly, and his idea of possibly buying more pet bovines to live out their natural lives eating Arnott's biscuits.

Come be enlightened to the quirkier social phenomena of the Waikato.

It's WTS Lockdown Edition! In this episode we’re looking at Nivara Lounge. It’s a treasured and essential live music venue in Kirikiriroa Hamilton, and after battling through the first major lockdown in 2020, owner and manager Ivan Muir is having to gear up all over again in 2021.

Come be enlightened to the quirkier social phenomena of the Waikato.

The Hamilton Cat Club and the New Zealand Cat Fancy set up at Hamilton Gardens Pavillion to host the biggest cat show anywhere in the country. On a crisp 2-degree morning, WTS producer Gary Farrow went along.

Come be enlightened to the quirkier social phenomena of the Waikato.

An independent author who lives in Kirikiriroa Hamilton has achieved the milestone of becoming a full time author. Johanna Rae writes urban fantasy novels, and also organises an annual event called Ages of Pages, for authors and readers to network at Hamilton Gardens. The second event will be happening in April 2022. Johanna shared her stories (in more ways than one) with WTS.

Come be enlightened to the quirkier social phenomena of the Waikato.

The Baha’i Faith started in Iran a relatively new religion teaching the essential worth of all religions and the unity of all people. What the faith refers to as the Waikato cluster has well over 100 members. Two people involved with the faith locally spoke to WTS - Soheyla Bolouri and Gayl de Boer.

Come be enlightened to the quirkier social phenomena of the Waikato.

Hamilton Astronomical Society was formed in 1933, and is one of the oldest of Aotearoa’s 25 amateur astronomy groups. I made my way up to the observatory to gaze at the stars myself, and it turns out astronomy is a really accessible hobby. People were gathered in a group in the dark outside the building, having a look at the stars with the naked eye, and some portable telescopes.

Come be enlightened to the quirkier social phenomena of the Waikato.

The Mangaonua Esplanade curves around the stream as it runs through Silverdale in Kirikiriroa Hamilton – deceptively close to the busy State Highway 26. Hauauru Masters Brown from Go Eco tells us about its restoration and his wider story of helping rangatahi.

Come be enlightened to the quirkier social phenomena of the Waikato.

Beekeeping is a $5b industry in Aotearoa New Zealand. And it isn’t just relevant to industry – you and I can also keep bees at home. Dara Dimitrov is a member of the Waikato Domestic Beekeepers Association, leads a beekeeping night class at Kirikiriroa Hamilton’s Fraser High School, and has a chat with WTS producer Gary Farrow about it.

Come be enlightened to the quirkier social phenomena of the Waikato.