Fighting Waste and Feeding a Community with Gary Hough
In this episode, our host Clare Irons chats with Gary Hough, Branch Manager of KiwiHarvest Queenstown & Central Lakes, the food rescue charity behind the iconic green van. Gary shares how one truck, a tight-knit team, and a whole lot of community spirit are helping redistribute over 200,000kg of surplus food a year to local charities — tackling both food waste and food insecurity.We dive into the real challenges locals face in a high-cost region like Queenstown, the environmental toll of discarded food, and the bold plans underway to rebuild local food resilience. This one’s a powerful reminder that community collaboration isn't just nice to have — it’s essential.
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35:25
Passing the Baton of Queenstown's Creative Future with Olivia Egerton
Our host Clare Irons and Olivia discuss the transformative role of arts and culture in Queenstown Lakes. Olivia, in her four year tenure as the Director of Te Atamira, shares her journey from fine arts to global business and back to her cultural roots, emphasising how small actions can create bold change.From community programs to art therapy and the need for creative infrastructure, this conversation is a powerful reminder of how the arts shape our world. Tune in and get inspired to take your own small, creative step today!
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31:37
Building Queenstown’s Future: Innovation, Bikes, and Big Ideas with Rod Drury
In this episode, Paddy Kluts talks with Rod Drury, founder of Xero, discussing his post-retirement projects, Queenstown’s growth, and his vision for New Zealand’s renewable energy future. He shares insights on mountain biking, sustainability, public infrastructure, and long-term economic strategies.Rod envisions Queenstown as a testing ground for sustainable innovation. He believes New Zealand must leverage its renewable energy potential the way Saudi Arabia did with oil, making clean energy the backbone of its economy. His work in biking, transport, and green infrastructure aims to turn Queenstown into a model for the future of New Zealand.
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47:30
Using Fashion to Fuel the Human Need for Connection with Natalie Newlands
New Lands isn't just a fashion brand; it's a vibrant manifesto for empowerment, engagement, and inspired living. Their collections are a means of self-expression, designed to challenge style conventions and celebrate modern femininity.Join our host Clare Irons and Natalie as they discuss fashion as a catalyst for self-expression and adventure, redefining style norms and embracing the need for connection.
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28:09
The Power of Personal Brand with Powrsuit
Serial entrepreneurs Nat and Kristen co-founded the investment platform Hatch. After a successful acquisition in 2021, the dynamic duo set their sights on a new mission: closing the gender leadership gap. With an estimated 132 years to close it, they took matters into their own stubborn hands. Enter Powrsuit, a career accelerator for women on the way up (including a place for allies). Launched in March 2024, it's already smashing every goal, proving that with the right playbook, real change doesn't have to take a century.Tune into this insightful conversation with our host Clare Irons and Nat and Kristen from Powrsuit.
Conversations with industry leading minds, business extraordinaries, creative thinkers and valued members of Mountain Club. Empowering business, commercial and community growth, we are here to discover what drives our members to connect. Jointly hosted by Paddy Kluts and Clare Irons, we're here to do cool sh!t with cool people.
New Zealand