Author Scott Morrison has put out a new book examining the dark history of Tongan island A’ta. In 1863, a group of sailors and whalers - some of them New Zealanders - arrived at the island and kidnapped half of its inhabitants. The some 150 ‘Atans were then sold into slavery, while the rest of the island's residents were eventually forced to abandon their home for the mainland. Producer Mack Smith spoke to Scott about the significance of these events and began by asking him what led him to uncover them.
I tēnei ata Rachel spoke with Larsen Taylor from Noa Records about the beautiful new album KEEP YOUR DISTANCE! by Virtual Shadow Ensemble that just dropped over the weekend. The album was made over 10 days in lockdown and features many fine musicians from across Aotearoa, Whakarongo mai nei to find out more!
I tēnei ata we had the legendary Moana Maniapoto in studio to talk about her new track 'Tōku Reo' from the forthcoming album 'Opo'. Working with Pitch Black's Paddy Free, Professor Scotty Morrison and vocalist Inka Mbing from the Atayal tribe in Taiwan, Moana created the track as part of an ongoing music project exploring karakia and indigenous reo around the world. Whakarongo mai nei!
I tēnei ata Leon Wadham and Brynley Stent popped in for a kōrero about Basement Theatre's legendary Christmas show which opens this week. Le Basement XXXmas Cabaret is set to be a sultry/festive/musical good time featuring plenty of Auckland's funniest comedians, and some celebrity appearances to boot. Whakarongo mai nei to hear more!
I tēnei ata Nigel Borell (Pirirākau, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Te Whakatōhe), Curator of Māori Art at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, popped in for a kōrero about the new exhibition Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art, which opens at the gallery this weekend. It will be the largest exhibition the gallery has ever hosted, and will survey contemporary Māori art dating from 1950 until today. Whakarongo mai nei to hear more!
I tēnei ata we spoke with Anna Coddington and festival director Shona McCullagh about the Auckland Arts Festival kicking off next March. Shona runs us through the programme for 2021 and Anna chats about her new album 'Beams' and what we can expect from her performance.
I tēnei ata activist and musician Tigilau Ness, and theatre-maker Tanya Muagututi’a were in the studio to speak about the Auckland Arts Festival and 50 years of the Polynesian Panthers. As an early (and ongoing) member of the Panthers Tigi reflected on 50 years of activism in Aotearoa, while Tanya spoke about the outdoor theatre project Love To Say Goodbye which she has been working on with rangatahi from Mount Roskill. Whakarongo mai nei to find out more!
I tēnei ata kei te Hōtaka Parakuihi: Dr. Zemke brings us the low down on the influence and significance of Unplugged music in Travelling Tunes; BLKCITY's Mo Muse pops into the studio to chat about their latest single, 'Pogba', out today; and Stinky Jim phones up to chat about Tamaki Makaurau's annual Culture Fest! Whakarongo mai!
I tēnei ata kei te Hōtaka Parakuihi: Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson joins ourWhat's Up? rotation of Aotearoa's political leaders, talking about the Dawn Raids, housing, and violence in Wellington Central; Rob Bollix spins our minds with an out-of-this-worldMind Trench; and Tim Batt pops up to studio for Mediabatt, chatting non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and how housing announcements are reported in the media! Whakarongo mai!