Roger Farrelly - The Voice of The Rock on Burnout & His Surprise Announcement…

Roger Farrelly is one of the most familiar voices on New Zealand radio. He has spent over three decades on The Rock as part of the legendary Morning Rumble.

In this deeply honest conversation, the man known to his fans as just “Rog” open’s up about the highs and lows of a life spent entertaining Kiwis, including some epic yarns about the wild and unhinged early years of the Rock.

We also discuss burnout, identity, mental health, the changing landscape of broadcasting, and what it takes to stay grounded through fame, criticism, and constant change.

Rog is much more than the guy with the deep voice and big laugh on the radio- I hope with this conversation, fans of Rog will get to see a different side to him.

Even if you are not familiar with Rog and his work on the Rock, I hope you’ll enjoy getting to learn more about this kiwi legend who has spent over 30 years performing at the top of his game.

This episode is a rare, behind-the-scenes look at man who’s seen it all, laughed through most of it, and come out the other side with humility, heart and no ego.


Chapters

00:00 – Welcome Roger Farrelly
01:10 – The Rock 2000 and burnout after the countdown
04:40 – Taking a three-month sabbatical after 31 years of breakfast radio
06:45 – Thinking about the future and re-evaluating life after 50
08:00 – The dream of retiring in Mangawhai
09:00 – Why Roger thinks he won’t still be doing breakfast at 60
10:00 – Who is Roger Farrelly off-air?
11:20 – Family life, introversion, and home versus on-air persona
13:40 – When his voice finally dropped and wanting to be on radio since age 8
15:30 – Sending his first demo tape and taking Mum to the interview
18:00 – The disastrous first on-air shift
20:00 – Moving from Coastline FM to The Rock in 1992
22:00 – Starting the Nick and Rod breakfast show at age 20
24:30 – Listener complaints and the one-woman crusade from Napier
26:50 – The wild 90s radio era and outrageous characters
30:00 – Dangerous stunts, no health & safety, and “float across Foveaux Strait”
34:30 – Meeting his wife Lisa through a birthday wish
37:00 – Marriage, family, and 30 years together
38:00 – Favourite interviews and meeting Metallica & Slash
39:00 – Mental health initiatives and The Rock’s heart
42:00 – Bryce, Mel, Mulls, and life on The Morning Rumble
44:30 – Who’s the real boss of the show?
46:50 – When content goes too far — learning lessons
48:30 – The famous tightness, saving money, and tea-bag stories
50:00 – Travel hacks, Qantas perks, and his cheap Europe trip
51:30 – How he really feels after being roasted on-air
54:00 – Behind the chemistry of The Morning Rumble
55:00 – Best and worst of his co-hosts
56:20 – Happiest and hardest years on the job
59:00 – Coping with bad ratings and career lows
1:02:50 – The key to his longevity in radio
1:04:30 – Generations of listeners and 30 years on The Rock
1:07:00 – Remembering radio legends like Kevin Black
1:10:00 – Depression, counselling, and mental health struggles
1:14:00 – Recognising burnout and learning to reset
1:16:30 – The toll of early mornings and constant pressure
1:19:00 – Taking guilt-free time off
1:21:00 – Plans for sabbatical: cooking, Vegas, and slowing down
1:22:00 – Being a hands-on dad and family pride
1:25:00 – Losing teeth, blood pressure scares, and getting older
1:26:00 – Dancing With The Stars — joy, terror, and transformation
1:31:00 – Crying, gratitude, and proud dad moments
1:34:00 – The best and worst parts of ageing
1:36:00 – Fears, rats, claustrophobia, and teenage daughters
1:39:00 – Parenting, control, and letting go
1:41:00 – Goals, future plans, and writing a book
1:43:00 – Ageing, naps, and Friday night exhaustion
1:44:00 – How his family would describe him
1:45:30 – Regaining his spark and the importance of rest
1:46:30 – Pride, reflection, and legacy
1:48:00 – Will he be okay when he’s no longer “Rog from The Rock”?
1:49:00 – Two Rogers: the broadcaster and the man behind the mic
1:50:00 – Closing thoughts