Kiwi Maverick: Fishing, Fame and Forging His Own Path

He’s “wrestled marlin from helicopters”, dodged danger in open seas, and somehow ended up on American late-night TV — all without a media plan or a roadmap.

Matt Watson’s story is one of relentless reinvention. When one door closes, he doesn’t wait for another to open — he builds his own and kicks it wide open. Whether it’s pioneering a new style of fishing show, walking away from the spotlight, or turning close calls into life lessons, Matt doesn’t just chase opportunity — he creates it.

And his next adventure? It won’t surprise you to hear it involves another world first: salt water in beer. Only Matt Watson could make that make sense.

In this episode of In the Driver’s Seat with Greg Murphy, Murph dives into Matt’s off-the-grid mindset, the moments that nearly cost him everything, and how a backyard cricket match nearly derailed his career before it began. It’s raw, unfiltered, and classic Kiwi — with plenty of laughs along the way. 

And, we hear what it’s like to be called the Tom Cruise of fishing.

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This ten-part series invites high-profile New Zealanders to take Murph for a spin in their own cars while opening up about the lives they’ve lived — and the roads they’ve taken. Then it’s back to the studio for a more unfiltered chat about defining moments, driving habits, and the lessons that stuck.

In the Driver’s Seat with Greg Murphy is about cars — sure — but more than that, it’s about people. Honest, funny, and surprisingly personal stories from familiar faces, told from behind the wheel.

New episodes drop every Wednesday until 12 November. Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more.

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