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Tune in to the OARsome Morning Show with Jeff Harford to listen to Talking Otago with ORC interviews on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin.
Once a month Otago Regional Council speaks with Otago Access Radio host Jeff Harford on water, land and air management in our region, public transport, updates to our services and ways you can have your say in how ORC protects and enhances the environment in Otago.
You can find the most recent interviews at oar.org.nz — Talking Otago with ORC or browse the library below.
3 July 2025
Amanda Vercoe, General Manager Strategy and Customer and Deputy CEO, explains the process, responsibilities, and key dates for standing as a candidate in the upcoming local body elections, encouraging community participation and highlighting the importance of democratic representation.
5 June 2025
Julian Philips, ORC Implementation Lead for Public Transport, outlines some upcoming initiatives, including the Orbus On-Demand service for Mosgiel and bus route changes in Dunedin.
8 May 2025
Jonathan Rowe, Programme Manager — South Dunedin Future, shares updates on public consultation and the next steps in the plan to respond to climate change and flooding problems in South Dunedin.
10 April 2025
Lorraine Cheyne, ORC Transport Manager, outlines the public feedback options for the Otago Regional Public Transport Plan.
13 March 2025
Leisa de Klerk, Enviroschools Regional Coordinator Lead, outlines how Enviroschools foster a generation of young people who instinctively think and act sustainably.
13 February 2025
Anna Kluibenschedl, ORC Marine and Freshwater Biosecurity Specialist, provides an overview of the impact pest species can have on Otago's waterways.
16 January 2025
Elodie Letendre, ORC Environmental Initiatives Funding Lead, offers some helpful tips for those applying to ORC’s ECO Fund, which supports work that protects and enhances Otago's environment and enables community-driven environmental activities.
In 2024, Talking Otago covered topics including air quality, rabbit control, environmental funding, and practical advice for farmers, boaties, and voters.
21 November 2024
Helen Trotter, ORC Water Quality Scientist, outlines the water quality measures and reporting that occurs between December 1 and March 31 each year.
24 October 2024
Amanda Vercoe, ORC General Manager Strategy and Customer, and Deputy CEO, outlines the council's vote on the number of Councillors for Otago.
26 September 2024
Pete Dryden, ORC Deputy Harbourmaster, provides a handy overview of sand bars and how to safely navigate them.
29 August 2024
Melanie White, ORC Project Delivery Specialist for Toitū Te Hakapupu, outlines the aims of the project and its progress to date.
1 August 2024
Leisa de Klerk, Enviroschools Regional Coordinator Lead, is preparing for the next round of hui with schools in the region.
4 July 2024
Sophie Gibson-Pinn, ORC Coastal Biosecurity Community Coordinator, offers insight into the size and scope of the rabbit management issue in Otago, and what support is available for landowners.
6 June 2024
Sarah Harrison, ORC Air Quality Scientist, offers tips on how to reduce household fire emissions.
9 May 2024
Lorraine Cheyne, ORC Transport Manager, shares news of record bus patronage across Dunedin and Queenstown.
11 April 2024
ORC Councillor Kevin Malcolm outlines the ways you can have your say in the Long-Term Plan process.
14 March 2024
Anna Molloy, ORC Principal Advisor Environmental Implementation, outlines funding opportunities through ORC’s ECO Fund, which supports community-led projects that protect, enhance, or promote Otago's environment.
15 February 2024
Libby Caldwell, ORC Manager Environmental Implementation, outlines the programme under way to track and destroy wallabies through the use of GPS.
18 January 2024
Libby Caldwell, ORC Manager Environmental Implementation, outlines new opportunities for community groups to seek funding support for projects through ORC’s ECO Fund.
From toxic algae to wilding pines and public transport, 2023’s episodes explored the regional challenges ORC is tackling and how the community can stay informed and involved.
21 December 2023
Rachel Ozanne, ORC Senior Water Quality Scientist, gives an update on the signs of toxic algal blooms and encourages everyone to be vigilant.
27 November 2023
Mark Payne, Principal Advisor in ORC’s Investigations team, shares concerns about people burning inappropriate and toxic materials in outdoor bonfires, the environmental and health risks this causes, and the importance of public education, vigilance, and reporting to prevent harm.
26 October 2023
ORC Councillor Gretchen Robertson discusses the funding boost and ongoing challenges for wilding pine control in Otago and nationwide, highlighting the need for sustained government support to protect biodiversity, water, landscapes, and agriculture from these invasive trees.
28 September 2023
Fleur Matthews, ORC Manager Policy and Planning, speaks about community consultation on its draft Land and Water Regional Plan, which aims to safeguard waterways through new region-wide and area-specific rules on water quality and quantity, and invites public feedback to help shape the plan.
31 August 2023
Lorraine Cheyne, ORC Transport Manager, outlines the launch of the new Mosgiel Express and other bus service improvements in Dunedin, aimed at providing faster, more frequent, and affordable transport options, while encouraging people to leave their cars at home.
6 July 2023
Robyn Zink, Enviroschools Regional Coordinator Lead, highlights the Enviroschools programme’s 21-year contribution in Otago, supporting schools and communities to foster sustainability through hands-on learning, waste reduction, biodiversity projects, and student empowerment, with ongoing growth and collaboration across the region.
8 June 2023
New ORC CEO, Richard Saunders, discusses his background, priorities for strengthening community engagement, focus on freshwater, public transport, South Dunedin resilience planning, and enhancing communication channels to connect the council’s work with the community.
11 May 2023
Jonathan Rowe, Programme Manager — South Dunedin Future, outlines the joint ORC-DCC project’s approach to long-term climate adaptation planning for the suburb—addressing sea level rise, flooding, and community resilience — through technical assessments, public engagement, and a phased rollout of adaptation options that could eventually inform wider regional strategies.
13 April 2023
ORC Chair Gretchen Robertson discusses the growing rabbit problem across Otago — particularly on the outskirts of urban areas — highlighting its causes, ecological impacts, the need for shared responsibility, and the council’s support through monitoring, community partnerships, and initiatives like rabbit fencing and the Rabbit Action Plan.
16 March 2023
Lorraine Cheyne, ORC Transport Manager, outlines current challenges with Dunedin’s bus network, including driver shortages, delays from roadworks, app reliability issues, and capacity pressures—while highlighting efforts to improve services through new driver recruitment, real-time updates, and future service enhancements.
23 February 2023
Doug Rodgers, ORC Transport Manager, discusses the return to near full pre-COVID bus services in Dunedin, ongoing driver recruitment, roadwork-related diversions, and urges passengers to treat drivers with respect and check official channels for updates and feedback.
19 January 2023
Doug Rodgers, ORC Transport Manager, explains that Dunedin’s bus services will return to a full pre-COVID timetable from 1 February due to improved driver availability, while Queenstown services remain limited due to immigration and accommodation challenges, and he encourages public patience and the use of real-time tracking apps.
In 2022, Talking Otago covered safe swimming, local democracy, school sustainability programmes, and priorities from ORC’s new Chair.
22 December 2022
Rachel Ozanne, ORC Senior Water Quality Scientist, explains the council’s summer monitoring programme for bacteria and toxic algae at 31 popular swimming sites, encouraging people to use the LAWA website and personal judgement to ensure safe swimming conditions across the region.
24 November 2022
New ORC Chair, Gretchen Robertson, discusses her background, priorities for improving environmental outcomes, and the importance of community involvement in shaping the Land and Water Regional Plan through public consultation sessions across Otago.
29 September 2022
Madeline Enright, Enviroschools Support Coordinator, explains how the Enviroschools programme supports over 100 Otago schools in student-led sustainability projects — ranging from waste reduction to cultural engagement — while fostering environmental awareness, curriculum integration, and community connections across the region.
22 September 2022
Amanda Vercoe, General Manager Governance, Culture and Customer, outlines the Otago Regional Council’s key roles, explains how the local elections work — including voting methods and constituencies — and encourages informed participation by highlighting how to access candidate information and submit votes.
For anything older please contact us.