Hutt Zone

Join John MacDonald in the Community Drive #TheHuttZone on Thursday the 29th of October 2026 at 5pm on Wellington Access Radio 106.1FM on-air or online for a variety hour of Hutt Valley stories, history, people, and music. This week we talk to Butterfly Creek Theatre Troupe Director Ewen Coleman on their end of year play “The Pink Hammer” a New Zealand comedy that takes you into the actual workshop space of the Muritai School, Eastbourne. It opens 12th of November and get more information from their website bctt.org.nz and facebook BCTT. We hear more in the 1979 history from the late Annie Huggan on her memories of Petone as a Petone Mayor. Thanks to Hutt City Libraries Heritage Centre for sharing this recording. And there’s inspirational poetry from Lower Hutt writer Vivienne Ball “Change Begins”. And there’s plenty of local music from Shona Laing “Show your love” and Lower Hutt EMI recording musician Mark Williams “Taking it all in stride”.. You can always Facebook message John with local story, musician or poetry suggestions. https://www.facebook.com/JohnMacDonaldNZ/ SECTIONS Poem – 1’03” – Vivienne Ball – “Change Begins” History – 3’04” – Annie Huggan – Petone Memories recorded in 1979 Music – 18’37” – Shona Laing – “Show your love” Feature – 22’36” – Ewen Coleman – Butterfly Creek Theatre Troupe – “The Pink Hammer” Music – 46’21” – Mark Williams – “Taking in all in stride”

This week we track down the former Wurlitzer Organ that was at Hutt Valley High School, 1944 to 1968, as it starts off its next chapter in a new Auckland venue – and all in time for its 100th birthday! I chat with Wurlitzer Trustee James Duncan and former Hutt High student Philip Worts. And a big thank you to Judith Gardiner of the HVHS Archives for additional material and photographs of the organ. We hear more in the 1979 history from 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 plenty of music from Wurlitzer Organ Opus #1475. You can always Facebook message John with local story, musician or poetry suggestions. https://www.facebook.com/JohnMacDonaldNZ/ SECTIONS History – 0’54” – Annie Huggan – Petone Memories recorded in 1979 Feature – 12’22” – James Duncan and Philip Worts on the Hutt Valley High School former Wurlitzer Organ

This week we talk JAZZ – first there’s a Jazz Brunch at the Upper Hutt Cossie Club with Barry Carter of the Carter Parker Quartet, as part of the Wellington Jazz Festival and then we meet this year’s Upper Hutt Grand Piano Trust Scholar Lana Ritchie – both perform this Sunday 18th October in Upper Hutt. 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 plenty of music from both our jazz musicians. You can always Facebook message John with local story, musician or poetry suggestions. https://www.facebook.com/JohnMacDonaldNZ/ SECTIONS History – 1’24” – Annie Huggan – Petone Memories recorded in 1979 Feature – 18’04” – Barry Carter – Carter Parker Quartet Jazz Brunch Music – 32’03” – CP3 – Take on the World Feature – 35” 56” – Lana Ritchie – Upper Hutt Grand Piano Trust Scholar 2026

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/