Side Questing
Side Questing is born out of the love of all those interesting niche things you find along the main quest that is life. So come along as we explore those overlooked areas of our world and history to find those delightful nuggets of captivating knowledge, those you might consider a side quest. Side Questing is produced in Aotearoa/New Zealand by Ben Paanakker. Ben is a trained marine scientist who has a passion for knowledge of all things weird and wonderful from the past and the present.
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Episodes
Sunday May 31, 2026
Sunday May 31, 2026
Ben sits down with naturalist, botanist, and all-round top-shelf individual Dr Hugh Wilson.
Hugh is the manager and mind behind Hinewai Reserve, on Banks Peninsula, where large swaths of farmland have been allowed to regenerate into native forest. Much of this recovery was not down to large-scale planting programmes, but through letting native species take back the land. Hinewai has now become a proof of concept for natural regeneration. At the time, Hugh was called a fool and a dreamer by the surrounding landowners, tune in to find out if they were right. All in this episode of Side Questing.
Friday Apr 10, 2026
Friday Apr 10, 2026
Ben sits down with his old friend and ex-podcast host, Flynn Robson, in this first episode back. On the agenda is a catch-up with all things Donald "the Grease Man" Trump. Ben makes a case for London during the "Gin Craze" as one of the worst places to be born in history. Flynn discusses government debt – Is it anything like personal debt? Find out on this episode of Side Questing.