Conversations with a Mayor
Join Taryn Utiger every Thursday as she talks with our mayors and chairs from across all four councils in Taranaki. From discussions around rough sleepers, rate increases and the new cycle lanes, to chats about Citizens Awards, career highlights and the best hidden gems in the region, this is the show that brings both insight and heart to local politics.
- Update frequency
- every 6 days
- Average duration
- 23 minutes
- Episodes
- 22
- Years Active
- 2025
STV - It's like Tinder for Voting
Ever stared at your local voting paper and thought, "Ugh, maths?" Well, you’re not alone. In this episode, we break down the mysterious beast known as Single Transferable Vote or STV, the system New …
00:15:55 |
Wed 13 Aug 2025
An Election Special
Local elections are here, and Taranaki’s ballots are anything but boring. We’ve got big names stepping down, fresh faces stepping up, a jam-packed New Plymouth mayoral race, and a referendum that cou…
00:22:23 |
Wed 06 Aug 2025
Neil Volzke on Central Government, Rates Caps & Māori Wards
This week Taryn has a kōrero with Neil Volzke, the longstanding mayor of Stratford District Council. They dive into the tension between local government and central government, examining legislation …
00:26:36 |
Wed 30 Jul 2025
Phil Nixon on Water, Weather, Events & Elections
This week Taryn catches up with Phil Nixon, the mayor of the South Taranaki District Council. They kōrero about Local Water Done Well, the wild weather around the region, and the Great Comedy Night, …
00:27:11 |
Wed 23 Jul 2025
Standing for Council
Tune in for a special episode of Conversations with A Mayor. This week, there's no mayor on air, and instead our host Taryn Utiger dives into the local body elections. What do councillors actually do…
00:27:07 |
Wed 16 Jul 2025
Neil Volzke on Local Water Done Well & Local Body Elections
Join Taryn as she chats to Neil Volzke, mayor of Stratford District Council. This week they discuss the outcome of Local Water Done Well, and the 2025 local body elections.
00:28:28 |
Wed 02 Jul 2025
Phil Nixon on Standing for Mayor
Taryn Utiger chats to South Taranaki District Mayor, Phil Nixon, about Puanga celebrations, School Holiday programmes and his campaign for re-election at the 2025 local body elections.
00:20:58 |
Tue 24 Jun 2025
Neil Holdom on Daisy Lean, Water Charges & the Winter Pop-Up Lights
Join Taryn as she chats to Neil Holdom, mayor of New Plymouth District Council. This week they discuss the legacy of the trailblazing yet humble David "Daisy" Lean, who died this month, aged 76. They…
00:23:40 |
Wed 18 Jun 2025
Craig Williamson on Daisy Lean
Join Taryn as she chats to Craig Williamson, Chair of the Taranaki Regional Council. This week they discuss the legacy of the trailblazing yet humble David "Daisy" Lean, who died this month, aged 76.…
00:30:15 |
Tue 10 Jun 2025
Neil Volzke on Local Water Done Well, Puanga & the Annual Plan
Taryn Utiger chats to Stratford District Mayor, Neil Volzke about the district's annual plan, the new plans for Prospero Place, the Puanga celebrations later this month, and the community feedback fo…
00:28:15 |
Wed 04 Jun 2025
Phil Nixon on Water, Rates & Seabed Mining
Taryn Utiger chats to South Taranaki District Mayor, Phil Nixon about Local Water Done Well, what rate rises have been locked in at, and the council's stance on seabed mining.
Every Thursday Taryn …
00:19:42 |
Wed 28 May 2025
Neil Holdom on New Plymouth's Cycle Lane Separators
Taryn talks to Neil Holdom about the cycle lane separators, Water Done Well and the latest annual plan for the New Plymouth District Council.
00:27:11 |
Wed 21 May 2025
Craig Williamson on Stadium Taranaki
After a massive five-year project, the upgrade and redevelopment of Stadium Taranaki is complete. Taranaki Regional Council chair Craig Williamsom talks to Taryn about the stadium, the local contract…
00:21:06 |
Wed 14 May 2025
Neil Holdom on Events, Rough Sleepers & ANZAC Day
Host Taryn chats with Neil Holdom, Mayor of the NPDC, about successful events held over summer in New Plymouth. They also talk about plans for the rough sleepers, ANZAC Day, and the importance of the…
00:28:45 |
Tue 22 Apr 2025
Craig Williamson
Today Taryn speaks with Craig Williamson, Chair of the Taranaki Regional Council, about his first two months in the role and his love of surfing.
00:16:40 |
Thu 17 Apr 2025
Conversations with a Mayor 10-04-2025 Neil Volzke
Today Taryn speaks with Stratford District Mayor, Neil Volzke. They discuss the cost of living crisis, ANZAC Day, developments in the CBD, and Neil's favourite place in the district.
00:17:55 |
Thu 10 Apr 2025
Conversations with a Mayor 03-04-2025 Phil Nixon
Today Tracey chats with Mayor of the South Taranaki District, Phil Nixon. They discuss drought, water reform, local body elections, rates increases, Kaponga Library, plus, the school holiday programm…
00:14:06 |
Thu 03 Apr 2025
Conversations with a Mayor 13-03-2025 Neil Volzke on Water Reform and other updates
Tracey speaks with Stratford District Council Mayor Neil Volzke on the upcoming Water reform, the completion of SH43 sealing, the Stratford Youth Council Colour Run, Parking by-laws and the upcoming …
00:22:44 |
Thu 13 Mar 2025
Conversations with a Mayor 06-03-2025 Phil Nixon on Drought, and Local Water Done Well
Phill talks to South Taranaki mayor Phil Nixon about drought, and the part councils play in protecting the water supply
00:15:04 |
Wed 05 Mar 2025
Conversations with a Mayor 27-02-2025 Neil Holdom on Te Matatini and more
Mayor Neil Holdom joins us, fresh from Te Matatini. This world-class event is being hosted this week at Brooklands Park, Ngāmotu
00:27:09 |
Tue 25 Feb 2025
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