Nobody Listens: The Rising Alienation of Regional New Zealand
12/05/2026 | 11 mins.
Jamie Cleine examines the growing sense of alienation across New Zealand, particularly in regional and rural communities, where people feel unheard and disconnected from decision-making.
The episode outlines why this matters for trust and social cohesion and calls for stronger regional respect, balanced decision-making, better infrastructure, support for productive industries, and a calmer public debate to rebuild connection and hope.
The Cleine Line — Anzac Day: Remembering the Cost of Peace
24/04/2026 | 6 mins.
Kia ora, welcome to a special Anzac edition of The Cleine Line. This episode sets aside politics to reflect on sacrifice and service — from Gallipoli to recent peacekeeping and humanitarian missions — and reflects on personal stories, like Private Hartley Palmer’s, that reveal the human cost of conflict.
We honour those who served and the families who waited at home, reminding listeners that peace requires vigilance and is defended by ordinary people answered to extraordinary calls. To all who have served and their families: thank you. We will remember them.
West Coast Tasman’s Moment: A Political Reset
02/02/2026 | 15 mins.
Kia ora — Jamie Cleine, former mayor of Buller and potential New Zealand First candidate, offers a straight-talking regional take on the first week back in Parliament and what it means for West Coast Tasman.
He reviews each major party’s opening messages, explains why the seat’s open race matters with both incumbents stepping down, and argues the electorate needs practical support for industries, infrastructure and regional communities rather than ideological plans from Wellington.
When the Skies Go Quiet: Regional Fight for Flights
12/11/2025 | 14 mins.
Kia ora — Jamie Cleine explores how disappearing airline routes affect communities like Buller, tracing Westport’s aviation history and the real-life impacts on healthcare, tourism, jobs and local confidence.
The episode looks at the commercial pressures facing regional carriers, new government support measures, and what communities can do to keep vital connections open so the coast can thrive.
Whitebait: The Silver Season of the West Coast
23/10/2025 | 22 mins.
Kia ora — Jamie Cleine explores whitebaiting on the West Coast: what whitebait are, the cultural importance for Māori and local communities, and personal memories from Buller families and elders.
The episode examines environmental pressures, management and compliance efforts, and how community action and rules aim to protect the fishery so future generations can keep the tradition alive.
Kia ora, and welcome to The Cleine Line. I’m Jamie Cleine — Former Mayor (2019-2025) of Buller District, a local born and bred, farmer, business person, and now a podcast host too.Now just to clear things up right from the start — this isn’t the official line, it’s the Cleine Line. It’s not a press release, it’s not a meeting minute, and it’s definitely not spin. This is just me, speaking directly to you, about what’s going on — around Buller, across local government, and sometimes even up in the Beehive.Each episode, I’ll take a few minutes to share what I’ve been up to — the good stuff happening in our communities, the challenging things, and the occasional eyebrow-raiser coming out of Wellington.I’ll give you a few behind-the-scenes thoughts, maybe a laugh, maybe a rant — and hopefully give people a better sense of what goes on in this place we call home. The Cleine Line episodes will cover my previous work as a rural Mayor in the Buller District of New Zealand and the diverse communities that I served. I will comment on the issues and opportunities that I encounter, and provide commentary on these as I see them. I aim to inform and share some insights into how I approach leadership, strategic long term thinking and advocacy. The episodes will traverse the serious to the less serious including some community characters, events, social and news commentary. The Cleine Line is my own podcast and is not the official line of the Buller District Council.
New Zealand