Marcus Lush Nights

Short of locking yourself out of the studio, the worst thing to happen to a talkback host while on air would be breaking your headphones.
So given that it was Friday the 13th (and it's 2020 on top of that)... Marcus experienced a first in his thirty-year career!
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When Jack and his friends from Stratford got stuck on a 4WD track in New Plymouth, they phoned Marcus to see if anyone listening could come tow them out. Luckily for them, Peter was listening, and he and his friend Frank came through with the rescue!
Hear the whole saga as it unfolded on air, including Peter calling up to talk about why he answered the call of a stranger on the radio.
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When Jack and his friends from Stratford got stuck on a 4WD track in New Plymouth, they phoned Marcus to see if anyone listening could come tow them out. Luckily for them, Peter was listening, and he and his friend Frank came through with the rescue!
Hear the whole saga as it unfolded on air, including Peter calling up to talk about why he answered the call of a stranger on the radio.
LISTEN TO THE FULL AUDIO ABOVE.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now that he's lost his Ilam electorate seat, should Gerry Brownlee step down as a list MP to make way for a fresher face for the National caucus?
Marcus thinks it's worth considering for National, but caller Michael has a different opinion.
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Usually, the rule on talkback is you must be over the age of 18 to be on air.
This is what happens when you reverse that rule, and only let the youngest New Zealanders on the radio for a night.
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Green Party MP and spokesperson for drug reform Chloe Swarbrick joined Marcus Lush for a marathon four-hour session of talkback to discuss the referendum that will gauge the public's support on whether the recreational use of cannabis should become legal.
Kiwis will vote on the Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill alongside this year's election.
The Bill's purpose is to eliminate the legal supply of cannabis, and provide access to legal cannabis, that meets quality and potency requirements.
Swarbrick told Marcus Lush it's important to note this referendum isn't about whether you like, use or support cannabis.
"This is referendum is about the kind of legal framework that we have in response to cannabis, which exists regardless of whether you vote no or yes."
She says the cannabis referendum would enable the Government to implement a similar control mechanism to Smokefree 2025. That campaign seesthe Government is working to control the amount of tobacco purchased, put educational information out, and investing in products to quit smoking.
Swarbrick says the Government want to do the same with cannabis.
"We have the opportunity to do all those same things when it comes to cannabis. Right now, we have no control." 
She hopes the experience of the Covid-19 lockdown, and slowing down, helps people look into the issue differently.
"But also perhaps recognise things from a community and compassionate perspective would have enabled more people to see the benefit of voting yes."
Swarbrick also took calls from listeners to answer their questions about the referendum.

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Do you agree?
Sure, Avatar went on to become the highest-grossing film of all time, but it's just so boring! So why, after 11 years, are we getting not one, not two, but four sequels?
Plus, how much would you expect to pay for Avatar on DVD these days? How can we make it worth our while having these movies produced in NZ? Is being made to watch Avatar more or less enjoyable than watching political debates? Listen to a selection of callers from tonight's show to find out.
 
What do you think? E-mail [email protected], or tune in and call Marcus every weeknight from 8pm.

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Following news of Max Merritt's death, Marcus shared how much the song "Slipping Away" means to him, and then was inundated by calls from other fans, as well as several other NZ musicians.
Listen to the highlights of the show to hear Larry Morris, Maurice Greer, and former Meteor's drummer Pete Sowden.

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Marcus Lush has once again had a colourful clash with a caller on Māori names, after caller Judith raised concerns about albatross names.
Starting off the call by saying "I just want to probably change subjects because I haven't been listening," Judith went on to ask about the competition to choose the names for baby albatrosses. 
"I'm not at all racist, but I don't know why the albatross chicks have to be called a Māori name all the time," with Judith suggesting other names, such as Reg or Bob. 
Lush responded saying that people send in names they think are best, and found the judging criteria, which lists relevance, originality and creativity. 
"Do you think Bob would fit in with that criteria?" Lush asked, but Judith kept pushing her point in a 14 minute back and forth, to the delight of callers. 
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With Auckland moving to Level 2.5 and residents allowed to travel to other parts of the country, it seemed some Kiwis were less than keen to have people from the country's largest city come to visit.
Is this just because of Covid-19? Or is a more deeply-rooted angst against Aucklanders?
Marcus Lush shared his thoughts after a discussion with caller Mark about his annoyance with how the rest of the country is viewing Auckland. 
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