Hutt Zone

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”