Conversations with a Mayor

Taryn Utiger
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Think local politics is boring? Think again. Every Thursday, Taryn Utiger sits down with mayors, council chairs and political guests to dig into what’s really going on. She asks questions about rates, local issues, hot topics, and the future of our towns, and then flips into some fun stuff like hidden gems and who secretly makes the best coffee in the region. It’s smart, unfiltered kōrero with the people running your patch: Max Brough, Craig Williamson, Neil Volzke, and Phil Nixon, served up with humour, heart, and a bit of hometown sass. If you care about Taranaki but can’t stand political snoozefests, this is your weekly dose of insight, banter, and good local stories from around the maunga.

  1. 3d ago

    Sam Bennett: Blind Draws, Beach Ramps & Council Tension 🔥🏛️🌊

    A blind draw, a beach ramp that’s dominating social media, and a council relationship under pressure 👀🔥 In a candid kōrero, Taryn is joined by New Plymouth District Councillor Sam Bennett, now in his third term, to unpack three issues making headlines in Taranaki. First up, they look at the blind draw for councillors to attend the LGNZ conference. Sam asks why councillors weren’t selected on merit and why ratepayer money is being spent sending a councillor who previously voted to withdraw the district’s LGNZ membership. Taryn then questions Sam’s working relationship with Mayor Max Brough and the tensions that have emerged between the two, before the focus shifts to the accessibility ramp down to Fitzroy Beach. Is the newly built ramp fit for purpose, or are the concerns about the quality of the construction valid? Will the defects be rectified? 🌊🏗️👀 Join us for three topics, plenty of sparks and one very candid kōrero about life inside New Plymouth District Council 🔥

  2. Sep 2

    Max Brough: New CEO, New Ideas & the Rates Cap 💰🏛️

    A new CEO is heading into the hot seat at New Plymouth District Council 👀🏛️💥 This week, Taryn catches up with New Plymouth Mayor Max Brough to learn more about Kelvin Wright, the council’s newly announced Chief Executive. They talk about why Kelvin was selected, what he brings to the role, and what mahi he will be doing in the first few months on the job. Then it’s into rates capping, funding for the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre, and whether putting councils under tighter financial pressure could actually spark a little good old-fashioned Kiwi ingenuity💡Join us for a lively kōrero about leadership, money, creativity and what comes next for New Plymouth.

  3. Aug 26

    Phil Nixon: Wrestling, Weather & Wobbly Bridges

    From wrestling banter to a very serious question about who’s going to pay for thousands of ageing rural bridges, this one covers a bit of ground 🤼‍♂️🌉 This week, Taryn catches up with South Taranaki District Mayor Phil Nixon for a chat about the weather, the upcoming Te Hāwera Community Board by-election, and new funding for the Resource Recovery Centre. Then the conversation gets onto the bridges. With rural bridges across Aotearoa reaching the end of their working lives, Taryn asks Phil whether rural ratepayers are carrying a disproportionate share of the cost of ageing infrastructure, and what a fairer way forward might look like. Plus, there’s a bit of wrestling chat along the way, as Phil shares his recent experience in the wrestling ring 🤼‍♂️

  4. Aug 19

    Neil Volzke: Bridges, Bytes & Big Decisions

    What do you get when rural bridges around Aotearoa start reaching the end of their lives? A very big bill, and a very big question about who’s paying it 🌉 This week, Taryn catches up with Stratford District Mayor Neil Volzke for a wide-ranging kōrero, starting with the people making a difference in the community at Stratford’s Citizen Awards 🏆 They chat about the announcement of a new data centre for Stratford 💻, before getting into the big issue of the week: rural bridges. With bridges across Aotearoa ageing out, what happens when they need replacing, and who foots the bill? Then, Neil brings us up to speed on the latest with local government reform.

  5. Aug 12

    Craig Williamson: Surf Aid & Local Government Reform

    From the surf to the future of local government, there’s plenty to talk about in Taranaki! This week, Taryn catches up with Craig Williamson, Chair of the Taranaki Regional Council, starting with a look at what’s happening in the surf world and the latest from Surf Aid before turning to the much bigger question of local government reform. They unpack Craig’s recent opinion piece in The Post and his argument that the Taranaki Regional Council deserves a seat at the table when decisions are being made about the future shape of local government in the region. It’s a lively kōrero about waves, regional voice, and who gets to have a say.

  6. Aug 5

    Max Brough: Local Government Reform & the Million-Dollar Pathfinder

    Local government reform is moving fast, and the questions are getting bigger. This week, Taryn catches up with New Plymouth District Mayor Max Brough to unpack the latest developments in the future of local government across Taranaki. They dive into the new million-dollar Pathfinder report being led by the New Plymouth District Council and how he plans to get that proposal seen by Central Government. Taryn also asks Max what he thinks about South Taranaki and Stratford choosing to forge ahead together without New Plymouth. If you're trying to make sense of the reform conversation, this episode brings you up to speed on where things stand, and where they could be heading next.

  7. Jul 29

    Phil Nixon: South Taranaki’s Midwinter Update

    While winter has Taranaki wrapped in frost, there's no sign of things slowing down in South Taranaki! This week, Taryn catches up with South Taranaki District Mayor Phil Nixon for a lively kōrero that spans everything from icy paddocks to the future of the district. They chat about how farmers are getting through the cold snap, the South Taranaki Citizen Awards, the upcoming Te Hāwera Community Board by-election, and also take a whistle-stop tour of the exciting projects taking shape across Pātea, Eltham, Ōpunake and beyond. Phil shares the latest on local government reform, and explains why South Taranaki and Stratford are joining forces for the Headstart Pathway. From the paddocks to the council table, this chat will get you right up to speed on what's happening around South Taranaki.

  8. Jul 22

    Neil Volzke: Reform, Reactions & Regional Change

    Big decisions are on the table, and Stratford isn't staying quiet. This week, Taryn catches up with Stratford District Mayor Neil Volzke to unpack the latest on local government reform and where Stratford sits as the region weighs up its future. They discuss the passionate public forum held in Stratford recently, where speakers voiced opposition to a unitary council and one former mayor even suggested that central government was using bullying tactics to drive change. The conversation also turns to the proposed sale of TSB Bank, what it could mean for Taranaki, as well as the opening of the new East Wing at Taranaki Base Hospital. Three big issues. One candid conversation. A timely catch-up on the decisions shaping Taranaki's future.

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About

Think local politics is boring? Think again. Every Thursday, Taryn Utiger sits down with mayors, council chairs and political guests to dig into what’s really going on. She asks questions about rates, local issues, hot topics, and the future of our towns, and then flips into some fun stuff like hidden gems and who secretly makes the best coffee in the region. It’s smart, unfiltered kōrero with the people running your patch: Max Brough, Craig Williamson, Neil Volzke, and Phil Nixon, served up with humour, heart, and a bit of hometown sass. If you care about Taranaki but can’t stand political snoozefests, this is your weekly dose of insight, banter, and good local stories from around the maunga.

Information

  • Creator
    Taryn Utiger
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C)ART Media