One of the world's biggest film directors has made a contribution to the fight against the Santana gold mine to honour Sir Sam Neill.

Sustainable Tarras, a vocal opponent of the large gold mine in Central Otago, confirmed on social media that Amblin Entertainment, the American film production company founded by Steven Spielberg had made a 'generous' donation.

Chair Suze Keith says the group is 'overwhelmed' by this contribution - and that he thought to reach out to them.

"The Sam effect is quite something, people really cared for him and saw him as just a great New Zealander, and we were lucky enough to benefit from that."

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One of the world's biggest film directors has made a contribution to the fight against the Santana gold mine to honour Sir Sam Neill.
Sustainable Tarras, a vocal opponent of the large gold mine in Central Otago, confirmed on social media that Amblin Entertainment, the American film production company founded by Steven Spielberg had made a 'generous' donation.
Chair Suze Keith says the group is 'overwhelmed' by this contribution - and that he thought to reach out to them.
"The Sam effect is quite something, people really cared for him and saw him as just a great New Zealander, and we were lucky enough to benefit from that."
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Suze Keith: Sustainable Tarras chair on Steven Spielberg making a donation in memory of Sir Sam Neill

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/872bc7b7-44f2-4384-9ce9-b4b0007e960e/transcript

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has embarked on his first foreign visit since taking up the top job last month.

Burnham has arrived in Ukraine, and he's set to hand over blueprints so Ukraine can build its own long-range missiles.

UK correspondent Gavin Grey says this comes after Moscow warned of 'consequences' over the use of British drones by Ukraine.

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UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has embarked on his first foreign visit since taking up the top job last month.
Burnham has arrived in Ukraine, and he's set to hand over blueprints so Ukraine can build its own long-range missiles.
UK correspondent Gavin Grey says this comes after Moscow warned of 'consequences' over the use of British drones by Ukraine.
LISTEN ABOVE

Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on Prime Minister Andy Burnham's visit to Ukraine

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/1b733687-70a1-45a6-baf6-b4b000842d4a/transcript

Speculation about SkyCity's future has seen the company's share price end the day up 9.9 percent to $0.67.

SkyCity management have talked about a strategic review for its Adelaide, South Australia casino business and is progressing the sale of its Grand Hotel asset, which would reduce SkyCity’s debt levels.

Harbour Asset Management expert Shane Solly explained further.

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Speculation about SkyCity's future has seen the company's share price end the day up 9.9 percent to $0.67.
SkyCity management have talked about a strategic review for its Adelaide, South Australia casino business and is progressing the sale of its Grand Hotel asset, which would reduce SkyCity’s debt levels.
Harbour Asset Management expert Shane Solly explained further.
LISTEN ABOVE

Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management expert on the SkyCity share price going up amid takeover rumour

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/4596eeb5-9dc3-499f-9fcf-b4b00080a6ba/transcript

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 24 August, 2026, Education Minister Erica Stanford on an under-16s social media ban but will her party get the support?

Destination Queenstown chief executive tells us why he's upset National's backtracked on a bed tax.

Commentator Richie Barnett's upbeat about the Warriors chances of winning the NRL minor premiership.

And on The Huddle, Trish Sherson and Josie Pagani tell us what they think of Labour's election slogan, Better Starts Now.

Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 24 August, 2026,<a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/erica-stanford-education-minister-on-the-government-moving-ahead-with-social-media-ban-for-under-16s/"> Education Minister Erica Stanford on an under-16s social media ban but will her party get the support?</a>
Destination Queenstown chief executive <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/mat-woods-destination-queenstown-ceo-voices-disappointment-with-nationals-u-turn-on-bed-taxes/">tells us why he's upset National's backtracked on a bed tax.</a>
Commentator Richie Barnett's<a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/richie-barnett-rugby-league-commentator-on-the-warriors-climbing-to-first-on-the-nrl-ladder/"> upbeat about the Warriors chances of winning the NRL minor premiership.</a>
And on The Huddle, Trish Sherson and Josie Pagani <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/the-huddle-what-do-we-make-of-labours-election-slogan/">tell us what they think of Labour's election slogan, Better Starts Now.</a>
Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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Full Show Podcast: 24 August 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/db3ae783-60e6-4147-bf9d-b4b00076c0b7/transcript

Suze Keith: Sustainable Tarras chair on Steven Spielberg making a donation in memory of Sir Sam Neill

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