In this episode we take a deep dive into creativity and environmental sustainability in contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand. 

NZ took the Covid-19 pandemic very seriously in early 2020, locking its borders and foregoing international tourism to protect its people. After two years, and a mass vaccine roll-out, this beautiful island nation on the edge of the Pacific is once again open to international visitors.

Stoke your wanderlust, and learn a bit more about what makes New Zealanders tick in this dive into the local culture and concerns of Aotearoa.

02.15  Love Letter to New Plymouth, New Zealand by a recovering addict, advocate, author and artist Rawiri James. 

08.20 Creative cultures with Peter Dragicevich, a food & travel journalist, and director at Ockham Collective, a charitable trust supporting creativity and education in New Zealand. 

14.10  Sustainability in New Zealand with Elloise Strang. The former editor of ideolog magazine, Elly is currently creating content for sustainable packaging company no issue, and hosted the podcast Conscious Commerce.

LINKS & RESOURCES

Rawiri mentions the Wind Wand in New Plymouth, and the ancestral mountain Taranaki.

Peter mentions New Zealand’s I-site visitor centres, the Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art at the Auckland Art Gallery in 2021, and No. 8 Wire.

Elly mentions Chia Sisters solar powered, zero carbon juicery; no issue sustainable packaging company; Flight of the Conchords; Taikia Waititi and the spiritual perspective on nature of New Zealand’s Māori population captured in the Visit Auckland: Papatūānuku (our earth mother) is Breathing.

Producer: Tasmin Waby
Presenters: Tasmin Waby &  Doug Murray
Sound editing: Ali Lemer & Doug Murray
Theme Music: Instant by Nettson
Thanks also to Belinda Dixon & Kate Armstrong & Simon Richmond

In this episode, we're off to Myanmar. Also known as Burma, this southeast Asian country offers scenic beauty, cultural riches and deep spirituality. Sadly, it is also a place that has endured the world’s longest running civil war and successive military coups including one in 2021 that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s democratically elected government. 

Before the latest military take over, British expat Dominic Horner was teaching English in Yangon and writing for local publications as well as filing stories for Lonely Planet and the Independent. He's a passionate advocate for wild swimming and in his love letter, recorded before he left Myanmar in 2021, Dominic shares some of his adventures as he sought out some of the Golden Land's best water holes. Also in this episode we hear from award-winning, Yangon-based blogger Su Wai Phyo; journalist, author and Myanmar expert Jessica Mudditt; and Tony Wheeler, founder of Lonely Planet Publications whose travels in Myanmar span five decades.

01.48 – A Love Letter to Wild Swimming in Myanmar by Dominic Horner.

10.08 – Su Wai Phyo, lifestyle and travel blogger based in Yangon.

19.25 – Jessica Mudditt is a journalist who lived in Myanmar between 2012 and 2016 and is the author of Our Home in Myanmar, Four Years in Yangon.

28.38 – Tony Wheeler, founder, along with his wife Maureen, of Lonely Planet Publications. After selling the company in 2011, they set up the charitable foundation Planet Wheeler which supports various projects in Myanmar.

Episode producer: Simon Richmond

Presenters: Belinda Dixon & Simon Richmond

Sound editing: Doug Murray

Co-producers: Kate Armstrong, Doug Murray & Tasmin Waby

Theme Music Instant by Nettson

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In this episode we’re off to Alentejo, Portugal’s largest and one of its most beautiful regions. Located in the country’s southern half, its landscapes vary from rugged coastal cliffs and cork tree covered plains to vineyards bursting with grapes. This is the place for slow travel; it’s the perfect place for walking. We explore Alentejo’s historic villages, landscapes and the region’s local culture with Ana Palma, its walking trails and sustainable travel options with Ana Carla Cabrita, and get some top tips for travelling responsibly around the region with João Ministro.

01.52 - A Love Letter to Alentejo by local Ana Palma

11.02 - Insider insights into exploring Alentejo with Ana Carla Cabrita

22:03 - Tips on experiencing Alentejo yourself, from sustainable tour operator João Ministro

Resources & Links

Ana Palma

Ana Carla Cabrita Walkin’ Sagres

João Ministro Proactivetur

Episode producer Kate Armstrong

Presenters Kate Armstrong & Simon Richmond

Sound editing Belinda Dixon

Thanks to co-producers Doug Murray & Tasmin Waby

Theme Music Instant by Nettson