'From The Resort & From the Valley' Podcast Series
By Tim Wilshire
'From The Resort & From the Valley' Podcast SeriesAug 11, 2022
From the Resort #51 - Christopher Luxon - Leader of the NZ National Party
The current favourite to win the next election in October NZ.
Former CEO of Air NZ during the last decade.
Speaks very well. Listen to what he see for NZ and what he wants to change from the current government.
A few questions also answered.
From the Resort #50 - Mark Harris - Managing Director Sothebys NZ
From Sydney. Media advertising background.
Music industry big experience with famous performers.
Move to real estate over two decades ago moving to Queenstown NZ
Detailed analysis of real estate trends that Mark has seen over 20 years.
Very informative.
From the Resort#49 - Jose Gomes- Carlson Gracie BJJ Gym
Great story about Jose.
Born in Curitiba, Brazil.
His thoughts on his career/ life progression.
What sets Carlson Gracie from the others.
BJJ misconceptions and benefits from joining a gym.
The move the Queenstown and the future.
Many other discussion as well.
From the Resort #48 - Emily Rutherford - Kiwi Water Park
Born and bred in Queenstown
Over 15 different jobs from age 10-21
From Wrapping lollies to Fergburger.
Marketing Degree in Otago
7 years overseas business ventures in the UK
Back to Queenstown when Covid started.
Kiwi Water Park great idea now 3 seasons in. Summer Park open in Cromwell.
From the Resort #47 - Rebecca 'Becks' Hembrow.
Originally from the UK. Brought up in a large family.
Becks first made it to Queenstown nearly 20 years ago.
Exceptional Technology & design skills.
A teacher at Mount Aspiring College.
Rotary Queenstown and now Cromwell.
New Business ventures - Creative Workshops.
Luma Workshops
Podcast was 2 years coming.
From the Resort #46 - Anzac Day Edith Cavell Bridge
A short Poem about Edith Cavell's story and its significance to our great bridge in Arthur's Point on Anzac Day
From the Resort #45B - Tim Wilshire Midlife Crisis Edition (A short Poem)
A poem written about my time in Queenstown, Rotary, Midlife Crisis
From the Resort #45 - Sharon Fifield - Acting Chief Executive of Queenstown Business Chamber of Commerce
Fun to find out about Sharon Fifield.
Very sporty at school.
Graduated University - Marketing major.
Started at Destination QT & AJ Hackett - Virtual Bungee
Worked in the UK 5-6 years
Worked in Melbourne for 8 years.
Moved back to Arrowtown in 2019 to work with the Council.
Took up opportunity to be the actine Chief Executive.
#thatsareallygoodquestion.
From the Resort# 44 - Wendy van Lieshout - CEO - Active Adventures. member of Queenstown Business 'Chamber of Commerce' Board
Born in the Netherlands - moved to ChCh at the age of 8.
Go through career progression.
Why when Queenstown?
Travel Industry Expert and Leader.
Always great to hear the stories of those in Queenstown and where they come from.
From the Resort # 43 - Jo Finnigan - Hotel St Moritz GM and Queenstown Chamber Board Member.
Find out the story about Jo.
Born in the Waikato but grew up in Auckland.
Sailing, Swimming, Tennis, Netball
Same place (HSM) for over 22 years.
How to navigate staffing numbers/ visas.
From the Resort#42 - Jenna Adamson - Wynn Williams
Lawyer brought up as the youngest in a Christchurch family. Inspiring Dad.
Always an academic achiever.
Lived overseas in Italy for a period.
Moved to Australia - Advanced career with Gaden's, Minter Ellison before working with Loreal.
Moved to Queenstown earlier this year.
Ran the Queenstown Marathon. Battled auto immune diseases.
Great opportunity at the right law form in Wyn Williams.
Pride Week, Duck Races and what does the future hold?
From the Resort #41 - Melissa White - QLDC Arrowtown Kawarau Ward Council Candidate - Cherry Blossom Cakes
Great to hear the story of Melissa. Her own cake business in the QLDC Region.
Lots of World Travel, Science degrees, Scuba diving in South East Asia, Event Management, Consulting firms.
Hawkes Bay to Wellington then to Queenstown. Her take on what needs to change in the region.
From the Resort #40 - Nell Hunter - Kahlo Painting, QLDC Council Candidate - Arrowtown Kawarau Ward
Great Story. Nell grew up the middle child, south of London.
Made the big move to Queenstown NZ over a decade ago.
Obtained a trade in Painting (part of lots of Queenstown construction projects)
Family person and has her own business.
From the Resort #39 - Danijel Duvnjak
Croation descent. Experience in lots of IT Projects. Running for a Councillor position for Arrowtown - Kawarau Ward in the upcoming Election.
Basketball, Bodyboarding, OCD or CDO? Bike Library. Best in the World Bike racks. Transcribe Me, Return to Sender.
Life Experiences. Moments of Delight.
From the Resort #38 - Lisa Guy - QLDC Council Elections Candidate.
Great to catchup with Lisa.
HR Specialist. FMCG and Hospitality industries as well as Municipal councils. Global experiences.
Skydiving & Paragliding expereinces. 30 years in the Queenstown area.
Listen to this podcast "Go on I dare you!" Lisa's motto.
From the Resort #37 - Al Angus - Running for QLDC Mayor in 2022
Al has had a great life living in the South Island. Tells it as it is. Doesn't mince words. Running for mayor again. first time was 9 years ago.
Storied career. Coming out of retirement to lead the great district of greater Queenstown.
From the Resort #36 - Neeta Shetty - QLDC Mayor Candidate
Its great to find out about Neeta's story.
Immigrating to Australia. Bene involved in restaurant businesses, community groups, roles in council including Auckland City council.
Her take on the important issues facing Queenstown's future.
From the Resort #35 - Mayor Candidates (Queenstown Lakes District) answering questions at Queenstown Rotary Special Meeting
Stuart McLean as MC - moderating presentations from:-
Neeta Shetty
Jon Mitchell
Olivia Wensley
Glyn Lewers
Al Angus
Daniel Shand
Questions about traffic, leadership, background, Three Waters etc.
From the Resort #34 - Jon Mitchell - Queenstown Mayor Candidate
Born in Queenstown in 1964. Seen a lot of change to the area in that time.
Lots of career experience is disaster management. Lecturing at University. Roles with DOC, Border control.
Very fit marathon runner. Helen Clark a mentor. Very good episode with Jon outlining his plans for the District.
From the Resort #32 - Queenstown Chamber Winterfest Lunch Debate
Topic - That Queenstown is the Jewels in New Zealand's Tourism Crown
Fun debate with the following participants
Brooke van Velden
Eve Lawrence
Martin King
Mark Frood
Stephen England-Hall
Nick Rado
From The Resort #33 - Olivia Wensley - Mayor Candidate - Queenstown Lakes District
Olivia has lots of word experience. Grew up in Waikato, Dublin. Studied law in New Zealand. Two internships in Sydney. Worked in Auckland and 3 years in Singapore. Last 10 years in Queenstown.
Childhood hobbies :- Soccer & Art.
Nominated for New Zealander of the Year in 2019. Advocate against abuse and bad culture in the workplace (legal).
Mentors/ Heros include Bloomberg & Xero Founder Rod Drury.
CEO of Startup Queensland Lakes - Capability, Connections & Capital.
Excellent social media presence and campaign.
Very good podcast.
From the Resort Podcast #30 - LB Bernard
Lau pronounced 'Law' - Tells his fascinating story of his life to Queenstown Rotarians. Been in lots of overseas countries. Countries with different religions in Africa. Lots of great lessons learned in his life.
From the Resort #31 - Glyn Lewers - QLDC Mayor Candidate and Councillor
Grew up in Northland. Passionate about Rugby.
Airforce Training, Surveying at Otago University.
10 years working in Australia (Perth, Gladstone & Port Headland)
Structural Engineer. Last 10 years in Queenstown.
Won council seat on a clin flip.
Board of DQ. Family Man.
October Elections
From the Resort #29 - MyHR, Real NZ & Millbrook - Business Excellence Series - Jason Ennor
From the Resort #28 - Joseph Mooney (Nationals MP) Post NZ 2022 Budget Presentation
From the Resort #27 - Johnny Quinn, Speedy Connections, Queenstown Chamber Event sponsored by 2Degrees
From the Resort Podcast #26 - Queenstown Chamber Event - Highlights Unwined
From the Resort Podcast #25 - Jim Boult - Queenstown Mayor
From the Resort #24 - Kit Clinton-Baker (Canyon Brewing)
From the Resort Podcast #23 - Scoop - Mountain Scene a.k.a Phillip Chandler
From the Resort # 22 - Angela Spackman - Queenstown Chamber Chair, Formatt Bespoke Joinery
From The Resort #21 - One Year Recap of living in New Zealand.
From The Resort #20 - Anna Arndt - Erik's Fish & Chips
From The Resort #19 - Matt Squire - Cairn Interactive
From the Resort #18 - Rod Drury (Xero Founder)
0 - My Intro of Rod Drury.
1:35 - Speech starts, When he first came to Queenstown when Xero started - Did you buy shares?
2:46 - Retired 3 years ago, what does life look like?
3:14 - Covid - More than 2 weeks in one place.
3:35 - Where's the best place to live?
4:30 - Biking Skyline the first time (like snowboarding)
5.25 - Queenstown feels like home. Meeting locals (last 18 months to 2 years)
6:30 - True Crossroads - Place to do meetings. Business meeting on a bike. Great base
8:00 - Location not as important (jump on zoom)
9:00 - Queenstown can be a globally connected place.
10:00 - Diversify away from tourism (Tech industry)
10:50 - Bring forward Fibre, Cell phone coverage, Rollout 5G
12:00 - Innovation Centre, High Speed Electric Car Charges throughout NZ (Every hour and a half)
13:33 - If all Campervans were electric. (Know where the tourists are)
14:30 - Digital Film Studio Project + Gaming Industry. $12 million for screens, Courses (Amazon, Disney, NZTE)
18:45 - 50 Visas - pick specialty areas, tech cluster. Machine learning AI, Gaming, Filming (Google Microsoft - people kicked out of US could come). Affordable housing.
22:30 - Transport pod discussion- Tech to solve transport issue. Pods go down cycle ways. Its been installed in Munich. How it could work in Queenstown. Airport into town. Use for individuals and stock
26:30 - Mountain bike community. Bike towns Derby in Tasmania and other places. Ski strong actors, Biking is Grass roots. Make Queenstown Whistler of Southern Hemisphere.
28:30 - World class trails -build it, maintenance, planting trees, funding
31:15 - Friends of Lake Hayes - Cleaning the Lake. 1.6 million funding there to assist the cleanup.
34:20 - Air Ambulance at Queenstown Airport.
35:30 - Get you and your staff out on the Trails. Business Sponsor a trail, maintenance.
37:00 - Question time -
37.05 - How do you decide what to dedicate your time to? . Many big chunks of projects is preferred. 5-10 year period of working out systems.
39:30 - Leadership should be urgent. recapping
44:20 - My question - Retirement - Important things that Queenstown needs to change. Infrastructure. Affordable housing. Pick zones. The Covid Effect.
46:25 - Will be speaking at Wakatipu House School.
49:45 - Streaming Services - Series been shot here.
50:55 - International School in Queenstown no-brainer.
52:15 - Government biased against Queenstown. Need to keep landing projects in Queenstown. Traffic, school dropoffs, Cycleways. Top tech people in the world are all here.
54.15 - 3 takeways - Everybody is faking it. Clear Vision, Knew Xero would be successful, Capital to execute strategy (raise enough), working on the business so hire to have people working in the business. Hire great people, build the machine.
57.15 - Diversify the economy, need to collaborate. Networking, paying it forward X 10. Add value
59:00 - Which tech company to invest in now (Story about investing in Elon Musk's stock, not a great investor) Get upset to think about it.
1:00.00 - Join the Mountain Bike Club.
From the Resort #17 - Dan & Ted Graham - Queenstown Ice Arena
Great guys -check out the venue host of many great ice hockey games and ice experiences.
From The Resort #16 - Scott Donaldson - AWS Legal
From the Resort #15 - Matt Wong (iFly Queenstown)
From the Resort #14 - Tori Keating (Xtravel)
From the Resort #13 - Phil Wilson
From the Resort #12 - Daniel Gibbons - Findex
From the Resort #11 - Graeme Todd (Todd & Walker Law)
From the Resort #10 - Hamish Walker (Recent New Zealand MP and Harcourts Real Estate Agent)
From the Resort#9 - Aaron Fleming - Ironman and New Zealand Torch Bearer - 2008 Olympics
Aaron Fleming has shown outstanding leadership skills during times of crisis and change in several different fields. He is an author and ambassador, a respected leader of people, a champion of the environment, and an athlete who has defied the medical world.
Improving the lives of New Zealanders is the incentive that drives Aaron Fleming - an enterprising leader, environmental warrior and an athlete who has defied the medical world.
At the relatively young age of 33, Aaron has shown outstanding leadership skills during times of crisis and change, and proven he can successfully engage, build and lead successful teams. He's held senior public sector roles in both local and central government, and established environmental groups and events that encourage people to take better care of our country. He has an affinity with youth, speaking at schools around the country, inspiring students to dream big and overcome adversity.And he's proudly proven doctors wrong and become a globally-respected Ironman triathlete
From the Valley Podcast #110 - Ben Nguyen
Covered off on MMA Commentary, Disciplines and techniques, Viral YouTube video, Acting, Seminars, The Future.
From the Valley Top 5 Classic - Damien Brown
From the Resort #8 - Jim Huitt
From the Resort # 7 - Lee-Ann Lines- President of the Rotary Club of Queenstown
From the Resort #6 - Jason Climo - Veolia & Rotary Club of Queenstown
