Radio host Mailigi Hetutu has been a broadcaster for an amazing 29 years and can currently be heard on Wellington Access Radio’s Punaaga Vagahau Niue.  

The programme was initiated by the Pacific branch of Wellington Hospital and is funded by Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand. The aim is to raise awareness of illnesses that surround Niuean people here in New Zealand and throughout the world, and covers what and where to look for help, places to access for support and what to do to maintain a good and healthy life for you and your family.

The programme is also a platform for promoting Niuean language to the NZ born Niuean people living here in Wellington.

Mailigi says the best thing about broadcasting is getting to talk to other people. ‘That is my favourite time on air. I have interviewed doctors, young people, survivors from illnesses, people who have struggled with mental or physical difficulties, and people on all sorts of topics such as gambling, violence, smoking and safety.’

Because of the health focus of Punaaga Vagahau Niue, Mailigi has found the last few years of Covid a particularly busy time.

‘We had to be on air every day through lockdown,’ she says. ‘We needed to talk to our people and make sure they had all the information and knew what to do’.

Mailigi may have been broadcasting for 29 years but you won’t see her retiring anytime soon.

‘My future plans are to bring on and train our young people in the language,’ she says, ‘and I also want to livestream so young people can be with me.’

Tune in to Punaaga Vagahau Niue every Wednesday 7-8.30pm on Wellington Access Radio 106.1FM or stream via www.accessradio.org.nz 

Wellington Access Radio is celebrating NZ Music Month and its theme for 2023, ‘Community and Collaboration’, by focusing on the community music that you won’t find in the mainstream.

The station believes that any music that is made in NZ, is NZ music – and with over 200 programme-makers making over 80 programmes, in over 20 different languages, there is a massive range of musical genres being broadcast every day.

During May, all programme-makers will be looking to play music from Aotearoa as part of their normal programming, while the station will be profiling a number of lesser-known musicians and bands from around the country.

There will also be a double feature every Friday night where the station will be playing not their usual one, but TWO albums from local artists.
Broadcast Technician Jonny Marks has the job of selecting the music for the Friday Feature Albums. ‘Radio airplay is of huge importance for musicians, a joy that can be shared with friends and family, and a unique way to reach new audiences,’ says Jonny.

‘By highlighting a whole album, we give space to experience more of the complex sonic ecosystems that musicians hear and translate for us; the more time we give to listening, the better we understand. The better we understand, the better we can find ways to be understood. We hope that our efforts to highlight our brilliant and diverse local scenes are nourishing to both audience and makers.’

Friday Feature Album, Fridays 6.30pm-7.30pm.

Listen at Wellington Access Radio 106.1FM or stream view www.accessradio.org.nz

Would you like your album to be shared on the Friday Feature Album? Email jonny@accessradio.org.nz

Issy & Cae are on a mission. Their new show on Wellington Access Radio, Awkward Talks, aims to carve out a space in the NZ music industry that they feel is desperately lacking. After meeting backstage at a gig last November, they quickly realised they had the same frustrations with the music scene. 

‘I had the very privileged opportunity to participate in extracurricular music courses throughout my high school years and even went on to study music at a tertiary level,’ says Issy. ‘But at the end of my studies, I was still left not knowing how to actually get a gig, how to write up an invoice, how to manage myself, and still felt very disconnected from the music community. Awkward Talks was founded with the purpose to explore and answer these questions in a way that is accessible.’

They both bring their own experiences as musicians and artists to the show. Issy has a background in theatre, dance and music, while Cae is both a designer and musician with bands Tahini Bikini and Sig Wilder.  
Issy & Cae are also motivated to create a place where discussions and conversations can be held about some of the more difficult and discriminatory sides of the music industry. This is where the ‘Awkward’ part of Awkward Talks may come in.

‘It’s about all of us holding ourselves and others accountable,’ says Issy. ‘We want to raise awareness and call people to action.’
 
Cae agrees. ‘For me personally, there has been a disconnect from audience and artists. Once I finally became one, I realised there were so many areas of the industry that are underestimated, mistreated, hard to find or even kept secret.’

The idea is that, ultimately, music practitioners will feel less alone and more empowered.

Awkward Talks will feature guests from all parts of the music industry to tell their stories, share what they’ve learned and provide practical tips to those who are starting out.

‘I want to discuss and learn more with other artists and people in the field, to have true conversation and one of a kind interviews that aren’t the same basic questions said differently,’ says Cae.

And it doesn’t stop there. Issy & Cae have dreams of creating digital guides, holding live events and masterclasses, and providing education.

‘We want to be a positive media body in the industry,’ says Issy. ‘It’s about us all sharing our collective knowledge and making the music industry safer and more open.’

You can hear Awkward Talks on Wellington Access Radio every second Saturday at 12pm.

Follow Awkward Talks on Instagram @awkwardtalksnz
Or check out their website: awkwardtalks.co.nz