95bFM

Rocksteady & Boss Reggae 45s

Canadian-born billionaire James Grenon, after recently purchasing a 9.3% share of NZME; the media company that owns The Herald, as well as roughly half the country's radio stations, including Newstalk ZB, has announced plans to clear the NZME board and add himself, alongside three other directors, only keeping one of the original board members in their position.

This has resulted in concerns about whether Grenon will add his own political stances into media coverage of NZME platforms, especially in light of his involvement with the alternative media site, The Centrist, that has previously criticised the news coverage of The Herald.

News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the Director of E Tū Union; a union representing many journalists at NZME, Michael Wood, about his concerns with this move, and whether he believes there is an ulterior motive regarding these developments.

Firstly, they started off by asking him about what we know about James Grenon.

Another Friday morning with Lucia thanks to The Tuning Fork! She relives the hype of the Kneecap gig and gets even more excited for Fontaines D.C. ~ later on Lucia chats with Tami Neilson about the feminist history of country music and her upcoming show The F Word on International Women's Day. The Audio Visual Drop Kicks from Ōtepoti, Dunedin, play on Fancy New Band. 

The coalition government’s free school lunch programme has faced significant criticism from various groups and individuals. 

This follows the remodelling of the previous programme, the Ka Ora Ka Ako programme, to, in what ACT Party Leader David Seymour says, save taxpayers over $100 million and fix food wastage.

However, this current model has resulted lunches arriving significantly late, plastic having been found melted into food, and students describing the food as “bland,” and looking like “prison food”.

Responding to the criticisms facing the current model of the free school lunch programme, in an interview with Newstalk ZB, Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, says those complaining should “make a Marmite sandwich and put an apple in the bag.”

For our first weekly catch with Te Pāti Māori for the year, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Takutai Kemp about how she is viewing the lunch programme, and her opinions on Luxon’s recent remarks regarding the model.

We also spoke about the Land Transport Management (Time of Use Charging) Amendment Bill first reading in Parliament, and Te Pāti Māori being the only party not to support the Bill, and the changes to free bowel cancer screenings by changing the age from 60 to 58, which would result in scrapping the pilot programme that would have allowed Māori and Pacific people free screenings from age 50.

But first, they started off by asking her about how the party is feeling about the current state of the government’s free school lunch programme.

This week's show featured new music from Vulfpeck, Phoebe Rings, Black Country New Road and more. Sam also pays tribute to The Damned's Brian James, and the jazz legend Roy Ayers, both who died last week.

A lot of Roy Ayers this afternoon, to mark the passing of the great vibraphonist and band leader — and, sadly, of several other luminaries including r’n’b saxophonist Gene Barge (aka Daddy G, the template for Clarence Clemons), David Johansen (featuring a first-ever appearance on any Jazz show anywhere by the New York Dolls!), and of course jazz, soul and pop singer Roberta Flack.  

Two special guests also join Blind Mango in the studio this afternoon: 

Ben Fernandez plays his diminutive keyboard and talks about his many upcoming projects  (including Bollywood and Jazz) and ongoing musical ‘Mix Day for Melodies’ at ASB Waterfront Theatre, every day until March 23rd. 

And Frances swings by to announce the Jazz GigGuide live, and stays to discuss future events and shared jazz memories. 

Tonight it's 100% @TheRealRoyAyers material to mark the passing of one the funky music MVPs. From his work as a sideman on vibes, songwriter, to his Roy Ayers Ubiquity band, to his productions on Uno Melodic and Gold Mink Rcord labels, thru to remixed and reinterpreted material. We also rerun an Interview with Roy from a few years back. Thank you for your service sir!

Celebrating greeat women artists for International Women's Day.

Reb Fountain joins Hunter to break down How Love Bends, the new album. Thanks to NZ On Air.

On a very special edition of Plato's the team are broadcasting live from The Beer Spot in Morningside. As if that wasn't exciting enough, the team are also joined by Soaked Oats who play two sets during the broadcast. Massive thanks to The Beer Spot, Urbanaut Brewing Co., and of course Hallertau! Thanks too to all of the punters who came out and made it a special day!