Tales of the Buller

The podcast warmly welcomes Ritchie Letchford, a renowned musician from Granity. Recorded in Granity this episode tells the story of a man who has truly been there and back. A man who has rubbed shoulders with some great musicians and has been in a number of well-known Buller bands such as Dirty Mary's Blues Band and 5 Miles High.  The episode contains stories of beating addiction and of the amazing people Ritchie met along the way. Ritchie performs an amazing and personal song at the end of the episode. Enjoy! Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

This is the second episode with the legendary Johnny Currie from Madman's Creek, Charleston. This time he is joined by his old mate, another Buller legend, Gerald Hart. I felt privileged to have been there. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast is privileged to welcome Johnny Currie from Madman's Creek, Charleston.  This was recorded at Johnnies place and I thank Jeff Richards, Gerald Hart and Alex Forbes for getting me up there. Johnny is more than just a Buller legend; he is a Kiwi legend. A real old school West Coast bushman with years in the bush Johnny has a raft of tales to tell. Living off grid for most of his life Johnny is truly only at home in the West Coast bush. The first of two episodes and one of the most enjoyable for me personally, this is a must listen. The audio is not 100% in places due to the location but it's not too bad. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast welcomes Phil Hyde from Granity. Phil runs a popular local radio channel Dagsy FM on 108.0 out of Granity. Phil hails from the Upper Hutt region and has been in Granity for a number of years. He has strong ties to the Buller with his grandparents, Archie and Zola Simpson having lived here. Phil has been in radio/music for over 20 years and has interacted with some of the greats of NZ (and international) music. His channel also streams live and he has a great website full of information: dagsyfm.epizy.com.  Phil is very passionate about music and radio and it really comes across in the episode. A good natured bloke with a great sense of humour and a passion for music, Phil provides some great history and a few laughs too. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast welcomes back Norm Crawshaw for the final of three fascinating episodes. Norm (QSM) is an example of a life well lived. A life full of travel and of contributing to the community. A stalwart of so much in the Buller he is an icon and it was my privilege to interview him. I think it is fair to say we have not seen the last of Norm so look forward to hearing from him in future seasons. This episode is chock full of tales and good humour. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast welcomes Norm Crawshaw back for episode two of his illustrious life. This is a great episode, one of my favourites, concentrating on life in the Buller, Buller cricket and we make a very interesting start on Buller Rugby. Norm, a winner of the Kings Service Medal (Queens as it was then) and an author of 35 books is truly worthy of multiple episodes. If you have even a passing interest on Buller Sport this one is for you. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast warmly welcomes Norm Crawshaw. Norm is an extremely well known man in the Buller region having been heavily involved in rugby, cricket and the Buller marathon to name but a few. He was a teacher for many years and taught multiple generations of Buller students. Norm has had an extremely interesting life and has been heavily involved in the Buller community for over 50 years. A good natured and intelligent man, Norm speaks with eloquence and wit. This is episode one as we need multiple to even come close to doing justice to Norm's wonderful life. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast warmly welcomes Michael Hart, a member of the illustrious Hart family of the Buller. Michael tells tales of his early life in Westport, playing rugby and rugby league, boxing and more. We get an amazing account of tunnel boring in North Sydney to playing international league for the Irish Wolfhounds. Towards the latter part of the episode is a truly amazing tale of a training session with Mike Tyson!  The whole episode is a rollicking tale of an amazing life told with great humour. Michael did this episode in the midst of family trauma, and I truly thank him for making the effort as it took great courage to get through it. This is truly an episode not to miss. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast welcomes Ray Chandler. A great bloke and native Coaster, born in Hokitika and raised in Reefton Ray has some great tales. Some are not for the faint hearted and include a truck loving duck with sore feet, an Englishman's interesting encounter with an eel and a Danish Aboriginal. I kid you not. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast is back in Reefton and talking to the wonderful Moira Lockington KSM. Moira is an incredibly community minded woman who has contributed massively to the community right throughout her life. Presented with the Kings Service Medal in the 2025 honours list Moira is a worthy recipient. Moira tells tales of her childhood and her life in Reefton, her family and some wonderful tales of the past and present. A great episode. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast warmly welcomes Buller sporting legend, David Baird. David has represented the Buller in multiple sports and is still active in coaching and mentoring youth teams today. We have tales of rugby, soccer, basketball and tennis and a marvelous tale about David's illustrious father Bill. This episode has great tales and is told with a great sense of humour. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The first episode of season 6 will drop on Friday, July 11th. It's been a while, and we are super excited to return to hearing some great tales from some interesting people. Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

Hi there. Another season comes to an end. It's been a great season with great guests and fascinating conversations. I thank all the guests who have appeared and all those who have helped me along the way. Please contact me at [email protected] if you want to come on or have a suggestion for someone else to come on. Keep your notifications turned on so you are notified when the next season drops. Stay safe and well. Cheers.Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast warmly welcomes John Reedy Snr and John Rogers. Both these men have spent a lifetime contributing to Buller and NZ harness racing. Legends in the sport both have bred and trained many horses, and both have contributed to NZ harness racing at the highest levels. This is a great episode where we get some fascinating insights into the industry and some hilarious yarns along the way. I hope you enjoy listening to these two harness racing giants as much as I have. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast welcomes Buller legend and retired teacher Barry Townrow. This man has an incredible list of achievements and is a true champion of the community. Barry is, among many other things, a local JP since 1998, board member of Buller cricket for over 50 years and current President, board member of Buller Rugby for over 50 years and former President. Barry hosts a long running sports radio show on Coast FM and is the commentator/TV presenter for Buller Rugby in the Heartland comp and is a sort after compere for events in the disrtict and the list goes on. I have not the room to begin to do justice to Barry's achievements so best have a listen to the man himself. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast welcomes a true Buller sporting legend: Mr Alan Ireland. Alan has represented Buller in both Rugby and Cricket and he has been involved for 66 years with his beloved Ngakawau Rugby Club. Alan was awarded life membership of the Buller Rugby Club in 2019. Alan has played, coached and done just about everything in between. This is a truly fascinating episode. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast warmly welcomes Wayne Fleming. Wayne is a well known figure in both the Buller Rugby and mining communities. In this episode Wayne tells of mining both in Australia and NZ and much more which makes for an informative and entertaining episode. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast warmly welcomes Steve Bell. Steve is from an illustrious mining/mineral/drilling family and was himself the youngest mine manager in NZ when he took on the role at Stockton. This is a fascinating episode with a girth of knowledge of mining both in NZ and Australia. Steve was also the Senior Manager of the Kaikoura rebuild and he shares some stories of that fateful time. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast welcomes the incredible Tony Fortune. This is the first episode on the road and was recorded in Reefton. Tony is an amazing character and has had a fascinating life. Educator, adventurer, mountain climber, cyclist and President of the West Coast Justice of the Peace Association to just name a few. Tony is a true West Coast legend. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

Quick hello, season 5 intro and a shout out to Sounds Air who did me a big favour recently. The first season 5 episode will be tomorrow July 29. Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

End of Season 4.Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

Phyllis Phipps passed away this week in her 98th year. She was a treasured guest of this podcast and I wish to pay her tribute and pay my respects to Phyllis and her friends and family. The Buller has lost one of its best.Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast warmly welcomes Gary Bainbridge. Gary is a 4th generation coal miner and was born and raised on the Denniston Plateau. Gary tells fascinating tales of growing up on Denniston and what it was like at that time including working on the Incline and riding the wagons down to the middle break. Gary also shares tales of his times in mines up and down the Buller and also in the Grey District. His knowledge is extensive and his tales are fascinating and in depth. Welcome to the world of West Coast coal mining told by a true expert. This episode is entertaining and educational in every way. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast welcomes the fantastic Marissa Stuart. Marissa was born and bred in Reefton and spent her high school years and more in Westport. Marissa shares some hilarious tales of life in Westport as a teenager and just what Westport was like at that time.  Marissa owns and operates Bodyfix physiotherapy in both Nelson and Richmond and has been a physio to the All Blacks for many years. This episode is interesting and told with great humour. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast welcomes the fascinating Howard Hill. Howard is Westport born and bred. He is a successful businessman, and an alumni of Cornell University in the USA. He was a member of the RNZAF which formed the foundation of his later success.  Howard talks of his family and life growing up in Westport and the path he has taken through life. This is a truly interesting episode. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast welcomes John Bennett, a resident of Carters Beach for over 65 years. John shares some history of his family, the local area and much more. In this fascinating episode we hear tales of Hermits with hidden gold, TB scares and nightmares,  climbing into blowholes at Punakaiki, Bruno Lawrence and (wait for it) - Blerta! Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast welcomes Terry McDonnell. Terry is a well known figure in the Buller coming from an old Buller family and has farmed in this district for a long time, represented Buller at rugby, worked at the Cement Works and much more. Terry also shares going through a major health scare and how it was dealt with. A fascinating episode. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast is very happy to present the first multi guest episode featuring generations of Buller Rugby. We welcome Gerald Hart, Thomas Stuart and Andrew Duncan, the current Buller Rugby CEO.  Hear tales of history, rivalries and famous games. This episode is a must. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

We kick off Season 4 with a very well known Buller native, Dan Moloney. Beginning his teaching career at Granity School in 1972 and moving to St Canice’s in1976, Dan was principal at St Canice’s for 21 years. Following retirement Dan has been heavily involved in community work including a stint as President of the Westport Trotting Club and many other contributions.  Most recently Dan has been Chairman of the Museum of Kawatiri. An interesting and accomplished man indeed. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

I hope you all enjoyed that short season as much as I did. Thanks to all guests and all who have helped me along the way this year.  We will take a short break now until early in the New Year. I wish you all a happy, healthy and safe Christmas and New Year. Cheers. Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

Welcome to the Kawatiri Coastal Trail Tale #5. This episode has Jeff Richards talking about the early days of Carters Beach, the Gala and a 'famous' message in a bottle found on the beach.  This is the last of the Kawatiri Coastal Trail Tales - I hope you have enjoyed them. Episode funded by Epic and recorded by Daimon (The Nomad) in 2021Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

Welcome to the Kawatiri Coastal Trail Tale #4. This episode has Geoff Brunning describing a life in Carters Beach including playing with water cannons as a child, making flaxwood rafts and finding the wreckage of a ship up by Cape Foulwind. Episode funded by Epic and recorded by Daimon (The Nomad) in 2021Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

Welcome to the Kawatiri Coastal Trail Tale #3. This episode has Bernard Menzies telling tales of the early days of Carters Beach. These include the formation of the Carters Beach Top Ten Caravan Park and chasing calves for 10 bob at the Rodeo! Episode funded by Epic and recorded by Daimon (The Nomad) in 2021Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

Welcome to the Kawatiri Coastal Trail Tale #2. This episode sees Ken Hill describing life in Carters Beach in the early days and how the trail goes right past their family property. Ken and Jeff recount some amazing stories of the area the trail is now passing through and early times at Carters Beach. Episode funded by Epic and recorded by Daimon (The Nomad) in 2021Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

Welcome to the Kawatiri Coastal Trail Tale #1. This has Jeff Richards and Bernard Menzies talking about the early days of Carters Beach and the Galas that were held there along with Rodeos and much more.Episode funded by Epic and recorded by Daimon (The Nomad) in 2021Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

It is my pleasure to present some podcast episodes recorded in 2021 as part of the Kawatiri Coastal Trail project. The episodes in this short season were funded by Epic and recorded by Daimon (The Nomad).Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

Bit of an abrupt end to the season here as I have had an interesting last month to say the least. Click the follow button on whatever Podcast platform you are using so you are notified when season 3 begins. Be happy and safe. Cheers.Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast welcomes Noel Palmer, a very well known and respected Buller resident  from a very old Buller family. Born in the middle of the 1926 floods Noel tells some fascinating tales of growing up with no power for his first 21 years, of his father bringing the first tractor to Westport, rescuing stranded boats with a stumplifter and more. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

This week we present a short anthology of poems by the magnificent former guest Phyllis Phipps.  Phyllis has written poetry most of her life and we present a selection of these in this episode. The poems are  read by Janelle Hooper of the Buller District Library. A big thanks to Janelle for doing such a wonderful job of this.  Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast warmly welcomes a true Buller rugby legend, Rodney Dawe. Rodney was born and raised in Ngakawau and he supports the Ngakawau rugby club to this day. Rodney played 59 games for Buller and also played for the combined West Coast/Buller team against the Wallabies, Springboks and the Lions. Rodney was President of the New Zealand Rugby Union in 1995 and he took the All Blacks to the 1995 World Cup. Needles to say this man has had a truly rewarding and interesting life. With no further ado, here is Rodney Dawe. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast welcomes Mickey Ryan. A very well known and respected Buller local Mickey has had a very interesting and colourful life.  Starting out working in the mines he then joined the NZ Army where he served overseas, including Vietman, for two years. Back in the Buller he went back to mining but soon heard the call of the sea and began a fishing career. During this period he also had several stints as a deer culler shooting from helicopters. He then started the Westport Fishing School which he ran for 11 years. He and his wife of 53 years, Doreen, then started the famous OutWest Tours company which they operate to this day.  A really interesting and great bloke to talk to. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast welcomes the wonderful Phyllis Phipps. 96 years young Phyllis tells tales of how she grew up in Sergeants Hill and later moved into Westport. Phyllis is responsible for starting Buller Basketball, Buller softball, teaching at Buller High School for 30 years  and has followed Buller Rugby as it's number one fan since 1944.  Phyllis tells some fascinating tales and when asked if she could give any advice to those younger than herself her  response was "be faithful, give friendship and help people".  Welcome Phyllis Phipps. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast warmly welcomes Ashley Godwin, daughter of Thomas and Barbara Stuart of Donaldo's fame.  Ashley is a Buller born and bred 26 year old young woman who is a fantastic example of a young person raised on the West Coast. This is no ordinary young woman. Not by a long shot. She is currently the Regional Economic Development Advisor to the Ministry of Regional Development. She was recognised as the top Arts and Humanities student in NZ and was selected as one of the few students to represent NZ  overseas at a very young age. Her achievements, even at 26 years old, are beyond impressive but I will let her elucidate. Without further ado, here is Ashley. Enjoy! Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast welcomes Kim Intemann along with Jeff Richards providing info support. Kim is a well known and respected Buller woman with a long history at Carters Beach, having moved here at one year old. She tells some wonderful tales of the early days at Carters Beach and describes the Gala's that were held and many other events. Jeff chimes in with some classics including a great tale about a circus elephant! Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

Thanks to all the guests and listeners who have made season one so memorable. We will take a break over July now to give time to organise season two. Have a great few weeks. If you wish to contact the podcast the email address is [email protected].  Stay safe and happy.Cheers from MikeClick here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

This episode welcomes Robert Elley to the podcast. Robert is from a well known Buller family and is Buller born and bred.  Starting out in bridge building and forestry Robert tells tales of his early days and his eventual move to a management position at Postie Plus where he stayed for a number of years. Robert played 51 games for the Buller Rugby team at No 8 and shares some memorable stories of this time. A good bloke and excellent speaker Robert makes this episode a memorable one. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

The podcast warmly welcomes Bob Pratt or 'Pratty' as he is more commonly known. Pratty is one of the Pratt family that have owned the Cosmopolitan pub in Westport for three generations. A great bloke and a real Westport stalwart Pratty tells tales of growing up with no power or phone to riding on coal carts down the Denniston Incline to playing rugby for Buller and to the frost in Reefton after a movie night. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

This episode welcomes Thomas Stuart to the podcast. A man who needs little introduction in the Buller region as he is extremely well known and a Buller rugby legend.  Thomas and his wife Barbara own and run Donaldos Cafe in the heart of Carters Beach. Listen to tales of the Inangahua earthquake, rugby tales both local and international and much much more. Enjoy! Note: there are a few annoying audio issues early on in this one but it's still quite listenable.Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

Back by popular demand is one Mr Gerald Hart. This time round Gerald tells of his cricketing years, as a player and spectator both in the Buller itself and representing the Buller around the country.  Included is a tale of Merv Hughes bowling off a long run up through a door of a Wellington pub and much much more. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show

Lorraine is born and bred in Westport and along with her husband Neville is a well known figure in Carters Beach. Lorraine is known for her work in the railways, early child care and also for being an incredible baker!  Listen to Lorraine tell an incredible story about a trombone and the Bridge of Remembrance, a tale of the railway, stories of Denniston and much more. Enjoy!Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the show