FergCast Central

About

Central Otago has always been a place of many layers: gold-rush grit beneath modern ambition, world-class artistry beside grassroots sport, and a community that somehow balances small-town warmth with big-picture thinking. FergCast Central steps confidently into that landscape. One week it’s the forgotten histories buried in the schist; the next, a deep dive into the arts scene shaping the region’s creative future. FergCast Central isn’t just a show. It’s a weekly snapshot of who we are, where we’ve come from, and the conversations shaping where we’re going.

Latest episodes

Published by FergCast Central. Listening happens on their channel — every link below goes there.

6 days ago

S1 E7

Content/Editorial then Jennifer Belmont from 45 South as the 2 yearly Spirit of Wakatipu Awards hit the stage in Queenstown Saturday October 17. The Ski and Snowboard season has ended at Treble Cone so Ferg takes a look back with Ewan Mackie. Singer Violet Hirst was born in Queenstown and is about to bring to an end to a small New Zealand tour after gigs in Wanaka, Arrowtown, Ophir, Lyttelton, Wellington, Oakura and Auckland. Ferg catches up with Violet in Wellington. Street Smart a driving course for young drivers to improve driver safety awareness and techniques have been doing their thing at Highlands in Cromwell we catch up with Hayden Dickison. Our very popular mate Jim from Tarras returns with his mutterings on life and we find out more about Predator Free Wanaka with Ian Clarke.

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3 October 2026

S1 E6

We start with the first of 3 audio bites that Grant and I recorded at last weekend's Contact Alexandra Blossom Festival. Ruth Heath, The director of Te Atamira - Queenstown's Arts and Cultural Centre. Ruth has been in the role for just over 12 months now. Terry Davis gives us an update on the World Gold Panning Championships which have been on in Cromwell this week. Another bite from the Blossom Festival. Katherine Lamont who spearheaded the petition to Parliament seeking equal rights for thousands of unpaid volunteer fire fighters - where is that at. Old mate Grant Stewart is along with his Story of the month. Magic guy Wayne McEwen from Southland on a magician's conference coming to Queenstown this month and then we will wrap with the last audio bite from the Blossom Festival.

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26 September 2026

S1 E5

Greenstone Entertainment have announced the acts for the Summer Concert Tour 27 which includes the Three Parks Arena in Wanaka - Promoter Dean Calvert. Sir John Kirwan hits Queenstown next week with the Mitey Drive for Five Fundraiser and the Bledisloe Cup. Ferg heads out to Queenstown Bay to meet some tourists. 22 Central Otago vineyards are heading on a roadie across the ditch next month Ferg is joined by the General Manager of the Central Otago wine grower's association Carolyn Murray. Angela Spackman from Queenstown and the Lakes Sports Trust looking to potentially build on council owned land. From ⁠Weatherwatch.co.nz⁠ Phil Duncan is back to talk the all important weather and the looming summer.

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26 September 2026

S1 E5

Greenstone Entertainment have announced the acts for the Summer Concert Tour 27 which includes the Three Parks Arena in Wanaka - Promoter Dean Calvert. Sir John Kirwan hits Queenstown next week with the Mitey Drive for Five Fundraiser and the Bledisloe Cup. Ferg heads out to Queenstown Bay to meet some tourists. 22 Central Otago vineyards are heading on a roadie across the ditch next month Ferg is

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19 September 2026

S1 E4

Central Otago Tracks and Wheels hits Cromwell Easter 2027 Jono Robertson. Ferg left her off last week, must be age, Sophie Eade from Queenstown and the Mounted Games in France. Jim from Tarras returns with his mutterings on life. Second term Queenstown Lakes District Councillor and Chairman of the Infrastructure Committee Gavin Bartlett. Murray Devery from Queenstown who has got himself home after following the All Blacks in South Africa. The Alexandra Musical Society Present Footloose starting next week Musical Director Chris Wild and then some radio history from 1994 the one-off Bledisloe test between the All Blacks and the Wallabies. The very first radio commentary done out of Queenstown in amongst the patrons at Eichardts bar. A wee sample !

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12 September 2026

S1 E3

The Queenstown Writers Festival programme was released this week, so Ferg chats with Tanya Surrey. We meet the winners of the Queenstown Primary School Quiz Night . The Manuherikia Valleys Community Hub project update with Andrew Patterson. Ferg is back down Queenstown Bay to Meet A Tourist . Changes with air traffic control in Milford Sound is causing some angst in the aviation community Hank Sproull from Air Milford in Queenstown. Sophie Eade has just returned from France after competing for the NZ under 18 pairs team at the Mounted Games.

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5 September 2026

S1 E2

Driverless cars in the news. Stu Victor from Queenstown takes us through his driverless car experience in the USA recently. Queenstown Lakes District Councillor Matt Wong on recent flooding, No visitor levy and capping rates. Jim is back with his Mutterings on Life after a dose of the flu. Alexandra Blossom Festival boss Martin McPherson and then last year's Festival Queen Andrea Javier . Well known Queenstown resident Graeme Todd in South Africa for the Greatest Rivalry Tour, his trip so far and the upcoming 3rd and vital test between the All Blacks and the Springboks. Terry Davis and the World Gold Panning Championships part of the Blossom Festival and old Mate Grant "From the Delta" and his story of the month and no surprise his take on the low fly over in South Africa last weekend.

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29 August 2026

S1 E1

Ginger Crunch crusade — Ferg's on the hunt for the real deal, $100 voucher up for grabs Sam Neill tribute — a clip of him on dreaming of a world with nothing to report Leila Franklin — Wakatipu High singer-songwriter, top 15 at Rock West, off to Wellington next year Shane Norton — bringing Omakau's historic Commercial Hotel back to life Kim Cadzow — Wānaka Olympian calls time on pro cycling after Paris 7th place Adam Perry — Christchurch author on his debut thriller Every Lake , set in a fictional Central Otago Owen Todd — a cheeky rugby story from Queenstown's newest centenarian

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FergCast Central is produced independently. The episodes, artwork and audio are theirs, not ours. We list new releases with a short excerpt and send you to their own channels to listen; we do not host or republish the audio.