The name Terry Shore is well known throughout the musical community in Wellington. In fact, you are likely to hear the words ‘local legend’ following his name.

Terry is a singer-songwriter who has been presenting Terry’s Songwriters Show on Wellington Access Radio for 18 years this April. The show gives a chance for local unsigned artists to share their original music and be interviewed on air by Terry.

‘I have had hundreds and hundreds of musicians on my show over the years,’ says Terry. ‘I usually see people at open mic nights and then approach them to see if they want to come on my show. It’s all about giving unknown songwriters a chance to show what they do.’

Some of those songwriters have gone on to make a name for themselves in the New Zealand music scene. Terry remembers showcasing Mel Parsons and Louis Baker in the beginning of their music careers and is proud of the fact that he has been able to help promote local artists.

Wellington Access Radio is celebrating Terry’s anniversary by putting together a special programme featuring snippets of his many shows from the last 18 years.

Station Manager Pip Adam says, ‘I’ve been listening back to episodes of Terry’s show while putting together the anniversary special and it’s amazing the wealth of talent Terry has amplified through the 18 years he’s been broadcasting Terry’s Songwriters Show. The success of the show is Terry’s ability to give songwriters space to play and talk about their work on their own terms. Here’s to 18 more years!’

Terry is a singer-songwriter himself, with five albums and an EP to his name. He has been playing music in Wellington for the last 28 years and was recently featured on the Flying Nun video showcase ‘What Was That Thing?’.
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Terry’s Songwriter Show won the Best Access Show at the 2007 New Zealand Radio Awards.
 
You can listen to Terry’s Songwriters Show on Saturdays 2.30-3pm, on Wellington Access Radio 106.1FM or livestream via www.accessradio.org.nz

When you spend time with Mukesh Patel and Neelima Bhula from Aakashwani Bharat Bhavan it is immediately apparent they are deeply passionate about their work and know each other extremely well. And this is hardly surprising, seeing as, along with Beena Patel, the three of them have hosted their radio show together for over 20 years.

‘I came in as a filler to read the news,’ says Mukesh, ‘and then never left.’

‘And I filled in for Mukesh,’ says Neelima, ‘and then I never left!’

The programme began in 1992 and came out of the Wellington Indian Association’s AGM.

‘There was a need for something to promote, foster and further our voice, our culture, and our community,’ says Neelima. ‘We care about our community and we are proud to be entertaining them. We also want to ensure we pass on our rich heritage to our younger generation and contribute to making Aotearoa a truly multi-cultured society.’

Over thirty years later the programme is still going strong, filling their loyal listeners in on local and overseas news, community events and sports, mixed with a wide range of Gujarati, Hindi, and devotional music.

The programme also features interviews with people such as the Indian High Commissioner, the president of the Indian Association, cricketers, musicians, and people in the community.

One of the highlights for Neelima is the live shows they used to do at the Diwali celebrations in Civic Square. ‘We just had an old mobile phone which we used to send the sound back to someone in the studio,’ she remembers. She also enjoys the reunion shows where they bring back the ‘original cast’ - those that started Aakashwani all those years ago. ‘It is their legacy we are continuing.’

Mukesh has enjoyed being the newsreader of the team and has found that there has been a lot of interest in his reports of the prices of gold and silver, and the exchange rate with the rupee and NZ dollar. ‘Diwali is a time where people often buy gold,’ Mukesh explains, ‘so there is always interest around that time.’

The programme has a strong base of listeners who often send messages or come up and speak to the presenters when they see them at events. One piece of feedback that they have taken to heart is something they heard early on in their presenting career.

‘Someone said to me “we can’t see you, but we can hear you smile,”’ says Neelima. ‘I have always remembered that and make sure I have a smile on my face when we start the show. There is always a lot of laughing and giggling!’

You can listen to Aakashwani Bharat Bhavan on Mondays from 6-7pm at Wellington Access Radio 106.1fm, or steam via www.accessradio.org.nz.

For previous episodes of the programme go to https://www.accessradio.org.nz/aakashwani-bharat-bhavan.html

Follow Aakashwani Bharat Bhavan on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/ABBWellington

Aakashwani Bharat Bhavan is proudly supported by the Wellington Indian Association. 

Wellington Access Radio are extremely proud to announce that No Labels is a finalist in the Best Access Radio Programme category at the NZ Radio Awards 2023.  

No Labels explores the diversity of disability issues with a focus on accessibility for all and gives a voice to those rarely heard in mainstream media. Hosted by Thomas Bryan and Mike Gourley, the programme looks at services which might assist and highlights topics that might pose barriers for those living with or experiencing disability.  

The awards entry included Thomas Bryan speaking to Peter Boshier, the Chief Ombudsman for New Zealand, and Mike Gourley speaking to members of aspirational service Maranga, Esther Woodbury, the Lead Adviser on the Disability Rights Team at the Human Rights Commission, and staff and service users at Evaro, a day service for disabled people. 

Station Manager Pip Adam says, ‘We’re over the moon for this recognition of the amazing work Thomas and Mike do. No Labels is compelling, thoughtful, and skilfully produced radio. I’m proud of the work Wellington Access Radio’s team do to provide space for media like No Labels. We’re committed to supporting media made by, for and about groups not always heard in the mainstream.’  

No Labels is grateful for the support of Wellington City Council.
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The New Zealand Radio Awards will be held in Auckland on Thursday 1 June, 2023.