The Wānaka Edit

Hannah & Janey
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The Wānaka Edit is a podcast exploring the people shaping Wānaka — their stories, perspectives, and the journeys behind what they’re building. Through honest, considered conversations, we go beyond the surface to uncover the thinking, risk, creativity, and moments that define life and business in this place. From founders and creatives to property, hospitality, and community leaders, each episode offers a refined look into what it really takes to build something meaningful in Wānaka.

Episodes

  1. 4d ago

    Mikaela Gallagher on Hair, Fashion Week and Finding Balance

    In this episode of The Wānaka Edit, Janey and Hannah sit down with Wānaka-based hairdresser and Wella educator Mikaela Gallagher for a candid conversation about creativity, career, identity and finding balance between work and family life. Mikaela shares her journey from Gore to Wānaka, building a long-standing career in hairdressing and stepping into the global fashion industry through her work with Wella. From local salon floors to Paris Fashion Week, her career has evolved into a mix of creativity, education and international travel, all anchored by life in Wānaka. The conversation explores what it takes to work at a high level in the fashion and beauty industry while also managing the realities of motherhood, career and constantly moving between different roles. Mikaela reflects on confidence, pressure and the ongoing challenge of balancing ambition with everyday life. They also dive into changing beauty standards, embracing natural texture and the shift towards more relaxed, individual expression in hair and fashion. Mikaela shares some of what happens behind the scenes at international shows, as well as the trends she’s seeing filter back into New Zealand salons and everyday clients. It’s an honest, funny and relatable conversation about the reality behind the glamorous work, juggling multiple roles and finding a way to keep doing what you love without losing yourself along the way. In this episode: Mikaela’s move from Gore to WānakaBuilding a career in hairdressing in WānakaBecoming a Wella educator and working internationallyBehind the scenes at Paris Fashion WeekBalancing motherhood, career and travelConfidence, identity and creative pressureChanging hair and beauty trendsEmbracing natural texture and individualityLife between local work and global fashionFinding balance in a multi-layered careerAbout Mikaela Gallagher Mikaela Gallagher is a Wānaka-based hairdresser and Wella professional educator. She works across salon life, education and international fashion events, including Paris Fashion Week. Mikaela is passionate about creativity, self-expression and helping people feel confident through hair and style. Follow Mikaela: @mikaela_creative https://instagram.com/mikaela_creative New episodes of The Wānaka Edit are released weekly, featuring conversations with inspiring locals, creatives, business owners and people from across the Wānaka community. Looking for your next home, investment property or lifestyle opportunity in Wānaka? Visit www.colliers.co.nz

  2. Aug 17

    Sam Cathie on Creativity and Capturing Wānaka

    In the first episode of The Wānaka Edit, Janey and Hannah sit down with Wānaka photographer and videographer Sampford “Sam” Cathie. Sam shares how moving from Auckland to Wānaka changed both his work and the life he wanted to build. They talk about his background in fashion and commercial photography, his move into architecture and interiors, and what it takes to create opportunities and build a creative career in a small town. Sam also shares how Wānaka’s light, landscapes and changing seasons influence his work, along with the personal projects that keep him curious and creatively inspired. In this episode: Moving from Auckland to WānakaBuilding a creative career in a small townPhotographing architecture, people and landscapesCreating your own opportunitiesThe influence of Wānaka’s light and seasonsBalancing commercial work with passion projectsPhotography as a way of telling storiesAbout Sam Sam is a Wānaka-based photographer and videographer specialising in architecture, interiors, lifestyle and commercial storytelling. Explore Sam’s work: Sampford Cathie New episodes of The Wānaka Edit are released weekly. Explore Wānaka property and lifestyle opportunities: Colliers Wānaka

  3. Trailer

    The Wānaka Edit

    The Wānaka Edit Wānaka is known for the lake, the mountains and the lifestyle — but the real story is the people who choose to build a life here. Hosted by Janey and Hannah from Colliers Wānaka, The Wānaka Edit is a podcast about the people, businesses and ideas shaping this place. Each episode goes beyond property to explore the stories behind the homes, the decisions and the lives being built here.

    The Wānaka Edit

Trailer

About

The Wānaka Edit is a podcast exploring the people shaping Wānaka — their stories, perspectives, and the journeys behind what they’re building. Through honest, considered conversations, we go beyond the surface to uncover the thinking, risk, creativity, and moments that define life and business in this place. From founders and creatives to property, hospitality, and community leaders, each episode offers a refined look into what it really takes to build something meaningful in Wānaka.

Information

  • Creator
    Hannah & Janey
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    3
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Wānaka Edit
  • Show Website
    The Wānaka Edit