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This week we meet the Wellington Branch President of Riders Against Cancer, Wayne Chapman and hear about their Show n Shine event at Brewtown Upper Hutt on Sunday 11th of October. Get to see a great display of all types of motor bikes while fundraising for an important cause. We hear more in the 1979 history on the late Annie Huggan on her memories of Petone as a Millworker and Petone Mayor. Thanks to Hutt City Libraries Heritage Centre for sharing this recording. This week’s poem is from former Lower Hutt teacher James K Baxter “Rocket Show”. And there’s music from Mi-Sex “Computer Games”, Ethan Ziggy Morrison “I am the Highway”, and the 2022 Taita Colle Poly Club. You can always Facebook message John with local story, musician or poetry suggestions. https://w SECTIONS Poetry Reading – 1’20” – J K Baxter “Rocket Show” History – 4’08” – Annie Huggan – Petone Memories recorded in 1979 Music – 19’11” – Mi-Sex – “Computer Games” Feature – 23’26” – Wayne Chapman – Riders Against Cancer – Wellington Branch Music – 46’35” – Ethan Ziggy Morrison– “I am the Highway” Music – 50” 32” – Taita College Poly Club 2022

This week we talk art trails with artist and Upper Hutt Art Trail organiser Elizabeth Gibson, as the 10-11th of October is the annual art trail weekend. We hear about this year’s artists, locations and the wide range of creative art open to the public. And hear about Elizabeth’s painting and ceramic art journey. Elizabeth Gibson artist Upper Hutt Art Trail We hear more in the 1979 history on the late Annie Huggan on her memories of Petone as a Millworker and Petone Mayor. Thanks to Hutt City Libraries Heritage Centre for sharing this recording. This week’s poem if from the 2022 Upper Hutt Libraries Poetry Competition - “Home” by Kyle Lingad. And there’s music from Halcyon Drift “Follow the River”, Andy Anderson “Let another cup of tea go cold” and SKRAM “Stay”. You can always Facebook message John with local story, musician or poetry suggestions. https://www.facebook.com/JohnMacDonaldNZ/

This week we talk to the convenor of the Upper Hutt branch of Wheels and Canes Disability Group – Blake Forbes-Gentle ahead of their September meeting at Upper Hutt Library. And we chat to CEO and co-founder of HUHANZ Carolyn Press Mckenzie on the "Behind the scenes Animal Sanctury Tours" at Haywards Hill – which sees extra tours put on for the school holidays. Book a tour and literally save an animal’s life. We hear more in the 1979 history on the late Annie Huggan on her memories of Petone as a Millworker and Petone Mayor. Thanks to Hutt City Libraries Heritage Centre for sharing this recording. And there’s music from Upper Hutt’s Toni Baird – “Your Song” and Lower Hutt’s Vera Ellen “Crack the Whip” You can always Facebook message John with local story, musician or poetry suggestions. https://www.facebook.com/JohnMacDonaldNZ/

This week we talk Lower Hutt Art Trail with one of its organisers Louise Thomas – and hear about her artistic path into photography and painting. The trail runs 17th – 18th October 2026 with 50+ artists sharing their work – get the trail map and artist profiles by checking out @lowerhuttarttrail We hear more in the 1979 history on the late Annie Huggan on her memories of Petone as a Millworker and Petone Mayor. Thanks to Hutt City Libraries Heritage Centre for sharing this recording. And there’s music from former Wainuiomata College art teacher Jenny Morris – “Body and Soul”. You can always Facebook message John with local story, musician or poetry suggestions. https://www.facebook.com/JohnMacDonaldNZ/

This week we talk poetry with local writer Margaret Jeune who has just released her latest poetry collection called “The Monk’s Chair” printed by The Night Press and available online from - https://www.lulu.com/ We start a 1979 history on the late Annie Huggan on her memories of Petone as a Millworker and Petone Mayor. Thanks to Hutt City Libraries Heritage Centre for sharing this recording. And there’s loads of local music – from Julie Bevan “Yara” and from Cantoris Choir Wellington – Henry Purcell’s “With Drooping Wings”. Cantoris are performing at St James Church Lower Hutt on Sunday 20th September. You can always Facebook message John with local story, musician or poetry suggestions. https://www.facebook.com/JohnMacDonaldNZ/ SECTIONS History – 1’14” – Annie Huggan – Petone Memories recorded in 1979 Music – 15’27” – Cantoris Choir– “With Drooping Wings” Feature Story – 19’40” – Margaret Jeune – Poetry Book “The Monk’s Chair” Music – 51’00” – Julie Bevan – “Yara”

This week we look at finding work for the over 50s with Seniors @ Work founder Ian Fraser – we talk about his established job platform, some local Hutt vacancies and senior-friendly employers plus some tips on how best to position yourself in these challenging economic times. We finish our 2016 history series with musician Peter Hall on life in Upper Hutt in the 1960s, with Upper Hutt Libraries Caren Wilton. Upper Hutt Heritage There’s poetry for the political age as we move into the next general election from Wainuiomata’s David Smith – Three Gifts on democracy. And there’s loads of local music – from Peter Hall’s bands The Bitter End and Trixx Traxx, as well as from former Eastbourne musician Shona Laing and Upper Hutt Piano Trust scholar Amelia Lin. You can always Facebook message John with local story, musician or poetry suggestions. https://www.facebook.com/JohnMacDonaldNZ/ SECTIONS Story – 1’20” – David Smith – “Three Gifts” Music – 3’14” – Shona Laing – “Whispering afraid” History – 7’41” - Peter Hall – Upper Hutt Memories from the 1960s Music – 17’23” – Trixx Traxx – “I only want to be with you” Feature Story – 20’22” – Ian Fraser – Seniors at Work Music – 46’03” – Amelia Lin – “Jettatura”

This week we get creative with clay and meet Lower Hutt artist and teacher Cate Pates from Fig Tree Clay Studio ahead of Hutt classes on ceramic miniature house-making, creative cup creation and being stop 23 on this year’s Lower Hutt Art Trail in October. We hear more in the 2016 history series with musician Peter Hall on life in Upper Hutt in the 1960s, with Upper Hutt Libraries Caren Wilton. Upper Hutt Heritage There’s a piece of ‘flash fiction” from Lower Hutt writer Vivienne Ball – “Writing a story – An Adventure”. And there’s local music from the combined Cantoris Choir Wellington and Hutt City Chorale choirs performing a medley from Les Miserable in 2018. Hutt City Chorale have a concert this Sunday at St Marks Church in Lower Hutt and Cantoris perform at St James Church Lower Hutt on the 20th of September. You can always Facebook message John with local story, musician or poetry suggestions. https://www.facebook.com/JohnMacDonaldNZ/ SECTIONS Story – 1’19” – Vivienne Ball – “An Adventure” History – 4’30” - Peter Hall – Upper Hutt Memories from the 1960s Feature Story – 22’33” – Cate Pates – Fig Tree Studio – Ceramic Art Music – 46’58” – Hutt City Chorale and Cantoris Choir – “Medley from Les Miserable”

This week we "Electrify The Hutt" – and talk to its chairperson James Scott ahead more house and business events on making the switch off fossil fuels to renewable energy options. There’s lots of practical ideas to help the Hutt make the move – with events coming up in Wainuiomata, Lower Hutt and a big regional event in Wellington in September & October. We hear more in the 2016 history series with musician Peter Hall on life in Upper Hutt in the 1960s, with Upper Hutt Libraries Caren Wilton. Upper Hutt Heritage There’s local poetry from Kat Joseph – “Above” from last year’s Upper Hutt Libraries Poetry Competition. And there’s local music from ex-Hutt Valley High School student Bruce Aitken “Me vibe the Sun” and from local composer Jonathon Berkahn – the Gloria movement from his A Hopkins Gloria sung by the Festival Singers. You can always Facebook message John with local story, musician or poetry suggestions. https://www.facebook.com/JohnMacDonaldNZ/ SECTIONS Poem – 1’03” – Kat Joseph – “Above” History – 2’43” - Peter Hall – Upper Hutt Memories from the 1960s Music – 12’13” – Bruce Aitken and Shadow Mile – “Me vibe in the Sun” Feature Story – 15’03” – James Scott – Electrify the Hutt Music – 46’00” – Festival Singers – “Gloria Movement from A Hopkins Gloria”

This week we meet author and host of “Penning Your Past” Angela Robertson which is an event in Family Heritage Month, by Upper Hutt Libraries – Saturday 22nd August. In fact this week’s show is ALL ABOUT Upper Hutt City Library! We hear more in the 2016 history series with musician Peter Hall on life in Upper Hutt in the 1960s, with Upper Hutt Libraries Caren Wilton. Upper Hutt Heritage There’s local poetry from Elizabeth Lynch – “My Safe Place” from the 2022 Upper Hutt Libraries Poetry Competition – Teens Category. And there’s local music from Renee Maurice – her cover of the late Bonnie Tyler song – “Total Eclipse of the Heart”. You can always Facebook message John with local story, musician or poetry suggestions. https://www.facebook.com/JohnMacDonaldNZ/ SECTIONS Poem – 1’06” – Elizabeth Lynch “My Safe Place” History – 2’41” - Peter Hall – Upper Hutt Memories from the 1960s Feature Story – 14’09” – Angela Robertson – Penning Your Part at Upper Hutt Library Music – 47’12” – Renee Maurice – cover of “Total Eclipse of the Heart”

This week chat with Lower Hutt musician Julie Bevan before her next appearance at Upper Hutt’s Mainly Acoustic Music Club on Tuesday 11th August. We sample plenty of her music from across the decades as well as talking about the issues facing the music industry today! We hear more in the 2016 history series with musician Peter Hall on life in Upper Hutt in the 1960s, with Upper Hutt Libraries Caren Wilton. There’s award winning local poetry from Dylan McGregor – “The Greatest Treasure” from last year’s Upper Hutt Libraries Poetry Competition. And there’s local music from Julie Bevan and the Kapa Haka students of Taita College in 2017. You can always Facebook message John with local story, musician or poetry suggestions. https://www.facebook.com/JohnMacDonaldNZ/ SECTIONS Poem – 1’08” – Dylan McGregor “The Greatest Treasure” History – 3’07” - Peter Hall – Upper Hutt Memories from the 1960s Feature Story – 13’38” – Julie Bevan –Music performance and composition Music – 44’16” – Julie Bevan – “The Little Mermaid” Music – 49’49” – Taita College – Kapa Haka 2017

This week hear about the busy schedule of the Hutt Valley Orchestra ahead of Sunday’s concert and September’s orchestral workshop weekend. We chat to violinist Barry Mawer on the Star Cross’d Lovers concert at St James Church, Lower Hutt, the annual orchestra open-invite workshop with tutors from the NZSO and Orchestra Wellington, and get some insight into the life as a member of a large community orchestra. We start the 2016 history series with musician Peter Hall on life in Upper Hutt in the 1960s, with Upper Hutt Libraries Caren Wilton. There’s local poetry from Lower Hutt’s Margaret Jeune – “The Monks Chair”. And there’s the latest music release from Upper Hutt Band Stretch to Mould – “Paper Mache”. You can always Facebook message John with local story, musician or poetry suggestions. johnmacdonaldnz SECTIONS Poem – 1’26” – Margaret Jeune “The Monks Chair” History – 2’57” - Peter Hall – Upper Hutt Memories from the 1960s Feature Story – 25’41” – Barry Mawer – Hutt Valley Orchestra Music – 48’15” – Stretch to Mould – “Paper Mache”

This week’s it’s all about the Lower Hutt Music Map from AudioCulture Iwi Waiata – Chris Bourke takes us through some of the highlights of the trail – and we sample some of the music in the map: Steve Gilpin, Mu of Fat Freddy’s Drop, Shona Laing, Eddie O’Strange, Vera Ellen, Jenny Morris, plus hear about the EMI studios, local record stores and learn about where in the Hutt music literally rocked the suburbs & town centre!! Ohh, and what Somes Island’s musical past included during World War One. We’ve poetry from Eastern Bay’s writer Maggie Rainey-Smith from her appearance at the 2022 Nelson Arts Festival – Pukapuka Talks. You can always Facebook message John with local story, musician or poetry suggestions. SECTIONS Poem – 1’02” – Maggie Rainey-Smith “Nelson Arts Festival 2022” Feature Story – 06’38” – Chris Bourke – Audio Culture – Music Map Music – 47’03” – Eddie O’Strange – “Video Dodo”