US podcaster set to fulfil a childhood dream in NZ.
Twenty-three-year-old Charlie Ryan, from Wisconsin, USA, is about to fulfil a childhood dream: visiting the iconic Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata, where The Lord of the Rings was filmed.
The Harvard graduate is spending a year in New Zealand producing a podcast, ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Aotearoa’, which aims to capture the impressions and experiences of travellers and immigrants.
He has another reason to be in Aotearoa: “One of my life goals is seeing every spot The Lord of the Rings was filmed,” he said. “The films really meant a lot to me as a kid.”
Ryan has booked the Evening Banquet Tour at ‘The Shire’, which includes a guided tour, a feast at the Green Dragon Inn, and a night walk through the light-up village.
“I’m just so excited to be physically in the spot where it was shot. From what I’ve heard, everyone who’s gone, even those who haven’t seen The Lord of the Rings, love the experience. I was worried it might be a tourist trap, but it doesn’t seem like it will be.”
He hopes to meet fellow travellers at Hobbiton, ideally someone passionate about the films, and bring them onto his podcast.
Ryan arrived in Hamilton on August 14 and has been developing his show with the support of Free FM Community Media.
He has already immersed himself in local life, exploring the city’s trails, joining community groups, and meeting new people.
A devoted outdoorsman, Ryan spends much of his time running, biking, and swimming and is training for the Taupo Ironman next March, which he will compete in alongside his grandfather, who’s coming over from the US.
Ryan said the Ironman race is made up of a “two-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and then a marathon run of 26.2 miles.”
“My grandfather, who is around 83 years old, will be joining me on this adventure, which may sound crazy”
Ryan says the Ironman challenge is deeply meaningful to him, and he is balancing training with his podcast work. He has recorded his first interviews for the podcast at Free FM and plans to travel to other parts of New Zealand throughout the year, continuing both his interviews and his quest to visit the country’s legendary film locations.
If you fit the bill for the podcast, contact Free FM
