What have disabled writers always wanted to say to disabled characters from history and fiction? And how would they create a universe where all people don't merely survive, but flourish?

Wellington Access Radio will be broadcasting the answers to these and so much more when we play two recorded sessions from Crip the Lit, part of the 2023 Verb Festival, on December 3rd, International Day of Disabled Persons, at 11am & 11pm.

Crip the Lit was formed in 2016 as a way for Deaf and disabled writers to have their unique voices, perspectives and stories included and valued in mainstream writing in Aotearoa.

The two programmes were recorded live on November 11, 2023.

In the first, Letters to Disabled Friends, Crip the Lit writers share light-hearted - or maybe not so light-hearted - and generally irreverent reflections and advice addressed to their favourite characters on their disability representation. (Robyn Hunt, Etta Bollinger, Rem Wigmore, Andi Buchanan, Erin Donohue and Al Gray, with host Elizabeth Heritage.)

The second programme, Universe-Hopping with Radical Crip Imagination, has writers sharing pieces of writing utilising radical crip imagination that challenges an ableist world, then engage the audience in their own world building adventure. (Andi Buchanan, Bee Trudgeon, Charlotte Simmonds, Erin Donohue, and Helen Vivienne Fletcher, with host Alice Mander.)
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‘We were super proud of the lineup this year’ says Trish Harris, one of the Crip the Lit founders. ‘Such strong voices – thoughtful, witty, and just plain entertaining. They stretched our imaginations and pushed at self-limiting stereotypes. Listening will light up your brain in new ways!’
 
Station Manager, Pip Adam, says Crip the Lit’s Verb events are a high point in the Wellington Access Radio calendar.
‘We love the energy and art Crip the Lit bring to the Wellington literary landscape. We’re so excited to broadcast these events so people can either re-visit them or those who weren’t able to make the events can enjoy them. Thanks so much to Crip the Lit!’

There was fun in the studio when Wellington Access Radio hosted a group of young people from the Tokelau community as part of Tokelau Language Week (22-28 October).

Their contributions will make up part of the extra programming by radio show Tugaki O Tokelau to celebrate Tokelau language and culture. Tugaki O Tokelau will also host all-night shows throughout the week, taking over the airwaves from 12am until 5am.

All this is on top of their regular shows, which broadcasts news, community notices, music, and discussions in the Tokelau language every week Thursdays 2 – 4pm and Fridays from 8 - 10pm.

Nive, a Tugaki O Tokelau programme-maker, says the overnight programmes during language week will be an opportunity for the various Tokelau communities in Wellington to showcase who, what, where and how they promote Tokelau Language and culture.

'We expect to reach listeners near and far and regularly hear from families in Australia, America, and our home Island. And we get callers from various regions of New Zealand and regular local callers.'

The theme for this years Tokelau Language Week is ‘Ke Olatia ko ia Tokelau I tana Fakavae – Tokelau to Prosper Within its Foundation’.

Wellington Access Radio is grateful to Tugaki O Tokelau team for all the work they put into Tokelau Language Week every year.

Wellington Access Radio broadcasts programmes in over 20 languages and subsidises airtime so Whanganui-a-Tara can hear more from programme-makers during Pacific Language Weeks. Special programmes from Radio Viti Aotearoa, a Fijian language show, were also broadcast in October during Fiji Language Week.

​Wellington Access Radio is on-air on 106.1FM, streaming live throughout Aotearoa, and on podcasts at accessmedia.nz, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

 
WELLINGTON ACCESS RADIO SHOWS HIGHLIGHT ELECTION ISSUES FOR YOUTH, DISABILTY & THE ARTS
 
 
Wellington Access Radio is making sure that community voices are heard leading up to the 2023 election.
 
The station has three new shows all focusing on issues that are vital for community wellbeing, with experienced and passionate presenters asking the hard-hitting questions and bringing their own communities to the fore.
 
One of these shows is the fantastic Generation Unfiltered. Hosted by young people involved in the Make It 16 campaign, this 10-episode show interviews youth advocates and activists in areas such as youth mental health, climate change, the rainbow community & education.
 
Host Anika says ‘this show will be highlighting issues important to youth in the lead up to this years General Election, and to be honest, in the future, because we’ll be the ones most effected by decisions made today’.
 
The show No Labels has a series of elections specials which host Mike Gourley describes as having ‘a disability point of view’. Mike speaks to political candidates, policy makers, and community advocates, including Labour Party candidate Nick Ruane, Green Party candidate Neelu Jennings, and The Opportunities Party Deputy Leader Natalia Albert. Mike also interviewed Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, co-leader of Te Pāti Māori, who informed him that they were the first media to approach the party about their disability policy.
 
Another brand-new show is Election Murmurs, a show dedicated to Arts and Culture policy ahead of the election. Host Austin Harrison says ‘We’ve got some incredible guests lined up and will play host to what I hope will be fruitful and insightful discussions about the state of our arts sector and the ideas that are (or aren’t) being proposed to improve and support us’.
 
Wellington Access Radio is always proud to broadcast media that is by, for and about our Wellington communities. In an election year, this is more important than ever.
 
Station Manger Pip Adam says ‘The Access Media kaupapa means Wellington Access Radio is able to broadcast election coverage that is created by, for and about specific communities that are often missed in reporting by more mainstream media. We’re very grateful to our programme-makers for creating important, responsive and specialised election content which is such a vital part of accessibility to the democratic process. When programmes are made by, for and about communities they reflect the concerns and interests of those communities.’
 
In the lead up to the election there will be many commentaries and opinions from politicians flooding the media. Tune in to Wellington Access Radio to hear from the other side - the communities who will actually be affected by the election results.
 
 
Generation Unfiltered
Wednesdays, 4pm.
Starts: September 12, 2023
 
No Labels
Tuesdays, 1pm.
 
Election Murmurs
Tuesdays, 2pm
Starts: September 12, 2023

​Every Saturday morning you can start your weekend with the crew from Rise Up, Maranga, or RUM as they are better known around the station. There is a bit of something for every listener, from music, to sports, to current events and just general good fun.
 
Maranga is an aspirational service from Spectrum Care for people with intellectual disabilities, supporting them to achieve awesome things and connect with the fabulous Wellington community. The RUM show has been going for over five years and the presenters are now seasoned experts at making radio.
 
Nick is one of the RUM sports experts and always has some facts to share with the listeners, especially if it’s about football or basketball. He also has great music choices for the show – on the day we caught up he was playing ‘Karma Chameleon’ by Culture Club.  Nick says that he doesn’t get nervous about being on the radio, saying ‘it’s fun to chat away’. His advice to people that might want to do radio is to ‘have fun, and talk about anything you want to talk about!’
 
Liz usually shares updates about her life and what she’s been up to in the weekend with the weekly listeners. Liz says that when she first started making radio she was nervous, but that it has got easier over time and she actually finds it useful for her anxiety. ‘Radio is good to do’ says Liz. ‘I like the atmosphere in the station when I come here. All the staff are nice and treat me with respect’.
 
Another weekly slot belongs to Kat, who shares facts about different countries each show. Kat says she spends time on a Wednesday night preparing her facts, and she likes it because ‘doing different countries means you learn different skills’.
 
There are many more amazing RUM hosts, including Dom with news and weather, and Axel with issues that are currently in the news. Michael is the show’s animal expert, while Matthew shares five facts and his love of pop music.
 
When you put all that together you get an informative and fun hour of radio, perfect to listen to on a Saturday morning as you have your first cup of coffee.

Rise Up, Maranga
Saturdays, 9-10am
Wellington Access Radio 106.1fm

Join us at Wellington Access Radio for a night of kai, drinks and kōrero.

This event is a social night for disabled people to share our experiences, talk accessibility and explore new ways to spread our voices.

We will have two speakers, Áine Kelly-Costello and Jonathan Mosen.

Áine is a climate justice and disability rights campaigner and journalist. They've hosted several podcast series centering disabled voices on leadership, migration, independent living and climate justice. Áine hosts the Enabling Commons podcast that provides space for dialogue among persons with disabilities to explore strategies that will transform our environment, our commons, to be meaningfully enabling for all.

Jonathan Mosen is an experienced podcaster and advocate. He started podcasting in 2004 and runs the Living Blindfully podcast which is devoted to helping blind or low-vision people live their best lives.

Please RSVP so we can send you an accessibility information sheet. This will include parking, getting in the building and overall building accessibility. There is elevator access, and we will also have an usher at the front door to show people to our floor.

Please note that we will have a limit on the number of people who can attend due to COVID safety and to protect immune-compromised folk. We encourage people who can to wear a mask. We will have masks at the event.

There will also be two separate chill-out rooms if people need a time-out. One of the rooms is quiet and will have dim lighting if anyone experiences sensory overload.

We have the ability to provide New Zealand Sign Language interpreters for the interviews with Áine and Jonathan. This will also be live streamed! Please let us know if you require NZSL interpretation. 

Mā mātou anō mātou e kōrero e hoa mā!
Friends, nothing about us without us!

RSVP via - Google Form RSVP or email sam@accessradio.org.nz

​For the last five years Tuesday nights on Wellington Access Radio have been a hub of Latin American culture, music, news and language with the radio programme Que Onda! Que Onda! is a Spanish speaking show that acts as an open page for the community and celebrates all things Latin American.

Judith Baez has been hosting and running the show since the beginning in 2018, along with an enthusiastic team from Latin America, Spain and New Zealand. Ask her what her favourite episodes have been over the years and she finds it hard to answer.

"I have enjoyed every single one of them! It is fascinating to hear people’s stories and experiences. But having live music in the studio is always a highlight – it creates a very special atmosphere".

Que Onda! features a special guest in every show. They have hosted diplomats, musicians, refugees, artists, scientists, chefs, designers, educators, activists and more! Recent guests have included Alejandro Ramos, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Mexican Embassy, entrepreneur Mariela Porrini, and musician Carlos Navae.

Judith says that the show plays an important role in the Spanish speaking community in Wellington. “We keep the community informed, and it is an open space where the community can express their thoughts in their own language and their voices are heard.”

"It is also a way to connect people. Many of the stories and experiences can encourage other people. It is important to keep the community informed and connected."

Que Onda! also has an audience beyond Wellington, thanks to streaming and social media. Judith says that they have listeners from around the world, as far away as Mexico and Colombia.

The show it is also a great tool for those that are learning Spanish! Spanish teachers have been recommending their students to tune in to Que Onda! for some extra practice.

Que Onda! plans to be around for a long time into the future. ‘It is important that Que Onda! keeps going to have the Latin American community in New Zealand present and represented’ says Judith.

Tune in to Que Onda! every Tuesday night from 7pm-9pm.


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QueOnda.nz/
Instagram: queonda.nz
Website link: https://queonda.nz
https://www.accessradio.org.nz/queonda.html

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 
 

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