Orewa College students visit PodLab in Auckland for podcast training with Jay-Jay Feeney and Dom Harvey.

Local podcasters and radio legends Jay-Jay Feeney and Dom Harvey inspire Orewa College's Podcast team

Our student podcast team recently headed into Auckland City to take part in a workshop at the PodLab, hosted by well-known radio and podcast presenters Jay-Jay Feeney and Dom Harvey.

The visit gave ākonga a chance to experience what it’s like to record in a professional studio. They learned how to use high-end equipment, practised their mic skills, and picked up real-world advice on media, editing, and podcast production. Jay-Jay and Dom shared stories from their own careers, offering tips and encouragement throughout the day.

A standout moment came when one of our middle school hosts, Henry Blakeman, was invited by Dom Harvey to appear on his own podcast later this month. We know Henry will do our kura proud!

The session was inspiring and practical, and the team came away with new ideas, fresh skills, and plenty of excitement.

Behind the scenes, Sharon de Vries has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life by securing deals, sourcing equipment, and ensuring the team is ready to begin production. Her support has made it possible for our ākonga to step into the world of podcasting with confidence.

We’re looking forward to launching the first episode of Orewa College podcast very soon. Watch this space!

Photo credit: Sharon De Vries