Easter musical treat on East FM, Saturday from 3pm...
Easter Bunny has burrowed out two earthly gem Auckland artists – Graham McGregor, and Tom Rodwell – and the amazing Americana sisters Larkin Poe, as featured Easter Saturday musical treats on tomorrow’s She’ll Be Right Show with PJ Taylor, 3-7pm (NZ time, April 8) on East FM.
Graham McGregor, at 81, has a new album, The Real Karangahape Road. It takes one back, to childhood, to parents’ and grandparents’ generations, reminding of how we sounded – 50, 60, 70 years ago.
Music I’d call traditional K’ Rd country roots folk, or as Graham says, “I don’t know what it is”, with a chuckle.
We’ve the good fortune to have Graham coming into the Bill Mudgway Studio to talk live about his undoubtedly colourful musical journey, from 3.30pm.
Tom Rodwell is an accomplished Brit-Kiwi blues-roots guitarist, songwriter and vocalist, and we’ll spin his slick recent album Wood & Waste after chatting about it at 5pm.
He’s on tour dates around NZ, and Wood & Waste has been called ‘the best-sounding NZ LP of the last 30 years’ by 95bFM's Jazz Show, while Graham Reid, at www.elsewhere.co.nz... wrote: ‘The subtle and supple shapeshifting Wood & Waste reveals depths and delights at every turn.’
To hot-cross the blessed feature-bun line-up, Larkin Poe are playing in Auckland this Thursday, April 14, at The Powerstation, the first of three NZ Bluesfest Touring concerts. The sisters, Rebecca and Megan Lovell, are in Australia now and off to New Orleans and other American festivals in the northern summer after Downunder dates.
They’re touring their most recent album Blood Harmony that we’ll feature through the show, and the big news this week is that Mema Wilda is opening for Larkin Poe at The Powerstation (larkinpoe.com Bluesfest Touring ; Auckland tickets at aaaticketing.co.nz).
Mema and her band are friends of She’ll Be Right, having played twice in the studio live to air. Pros.
Edwin Judd, of She’ll Be Right amigos The Rvmes, says Graham McGregor and The Real Karangahape Road is a “Holding Space Aotearoa project that I think you'll love”.
“It’s a very special album release by an Auckland open-mic legend.”
Ema Barton, of Holding Space Aotearoa, says: “This 81-year-old gentleman has been gracing many a joint over the decades with his raunchy acoustic numbers, exposing audiences to some obscure and well-travelled classic folk and blues renditions along with his own cheeky originals.
“His second single, The Real Karangahape Road, is Graham’s take on the infamous street in the 1970s and ‘80s, a crowd favourite from his regular live sets around the city.”
To listen to Tom Rodwell’s Wood & Waste record, go to:
tomrodwell.bandcamp.com...
And to buy it (LP/CD/digital):
tomrodwell.com...
Graham Reid’s review at Elsewhere:
www.elsewhere.co.nz...
East FM is East Auckland’s fair-dinkum community-powered public service radio station, on 88.1FM and 107.1FM on local frequencies, nationally and globally at www.eastfm.nz... and on app iHeart Radio.
She’ll Be Right - it’s all about the vibe; it’s all about the groove. And this Saturday, we’re celebrating an Easter Auckland musical treasure hunt! – PJ
Poll: 🗑️ Would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Aucklanders, our weekly rubbish collections are staying after councillors voted to scrap a proposed trial of fortnightly pick-ups.
We want to hear from you: would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Keen for the details? Read up about the scrapped collection trial here.
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81.7% Same!
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18.3% Would have liked to try something different
Some Choice News!
Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.
Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.
Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?
Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!
East Auckland Christmas light displays 2025
Please help me find other light shows and updating this list!
Times when the lights turn on/off is helpful.
Last updated: 19 December 2025 18:47.
Google map with all of these houses pin pointed: maps.app.goo.gl...
Add a display: [Google forms] forms.gle... , or comment: [Location], [Lights on/off times], [Other features].
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CONFIRMED CHRISTMAS LIGHT DISPLAYS 2025:
7 Northpark Ave, Northpark. 8pm to 10pm Mon-Thu, 8pm to 11pm Fri-Sun. Synchronized to music. Website with status/information: northparklights.remotefalcon.com... (my own light show).
6 Kookaburra Place, Botany Downs. 8:30pm to 10:30pm every night. Donations for Bellyful.
5 Ben Lomond Cres, East Gate Church Christmas Light show. 7Pm[?] to 11pm. Christmas walk-through running 18 – 23 December 7pm – 10pm.
18 Redcastle Drive, East Tāmaki. 9:15pm to 11pm. Synchronised to music. FB page: www.facebook.com...
13 Tui Vale Road Shelly Park. 6:30pm to Midnight. Santa visiting 23rd & 24th December.
9 Drysdale Place, Somerville 8.30 to 11pm.
10 Saidia Place, Huntington Park. 8:30pm to 10:00pm.
1 Woodview Rise, Botany. 8:30pm to 11pm.
57 Palmcrest Grove, Highland Park, 7pm & overnight.
1 Palmcrest Grove, Highland Park, 7pm & overnight.
51a Paparoa Road, Cockle Bay, 8pm to 10pm, 8th Dec to 24th Dec.
111 Bradbury Road, Botany Downs. 8:00pm to 10:30pm [Assuming last year's times].
9 Cyclades Place, Shelly Park. 8:00pm to 11:00pm [Assuming last year's times].
98 Angelo Ave, Howick. On all the time.
** John Brooke Crescent, East Tamaki Heights. Unknown number of houses & times.
** Trust Place, Sunnyhills. 8:30pm to midnight. Multiple houses.
** Fern Place Beachlands. 8:00pm to midnight. Multiple houses.
** Paerata Rise, Paerata. Unknown times. Multiple houses.
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NO LIGHTS THIS YEAR (Moved or other reasons):
44 Archmillen Ave, Pakuranga Heights.
9 Harford Place, Pakaranga Heights.
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FEEDBACK REQUIRED FOR 2025.
These were confirmed in 2024:
2 Edingale Court, Flat Bush. 8:30pm to 10:30pm.
56 Sorrel Cresent, Bucklands Beach. 7:30pm to 9:00pm. Trains/miniature displays in the garage Wednesday to Sunday.
6 Rothwell Place, Sunnyhills. 8:00pm to 10:00pm.
4 Greenbrooke Drive, Flatbush. 830pm to 11:00pm.
75 Hutchinsons Road, Bucklands Beach. 9:00pm and overnight.
6A Kentville Place, Somerville. 8:00pm to 12:00am.
27 Amberwood Drive, Northpark. 7:00pm to 12:00am.
136 Kilkenny Drive, East Tamaki Heights. 8:00pm to 12:00am.
86 Sandspit Road, Shelly Park. Unknown times.
81 Tiraumea Drive, Unknown times.
29 Meadowlands Drive, Sommerville. Unknown times.
** Headcorn Place, Botany. 7:30pm to 11:00pm. Multiple houses.
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SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EVENTS 2025:
<none added so far>
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Please help find more houses and update this list!
Comment on this post.
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