B-side Stories

The election is four weeks away. The political scene has been crazy - new parties, new leaders, parties disappearing! How do you decide who to vote for? Do you simply vote the same as three years ago? Do you ask your mum what to do? In this episode, Sapeer and Laura chat to Chris McIntyre, who helped to create an online tool called 'Policy' (hosted by The Spinoff), that collects all of the Party policies on one place for people to review and inform their voting decision. http://policy.thespinoff.co.nz/

Enjoy Public Art Gallery on Cuba Street is having its third annual book fair to celebrate the words to go with the art. Louise Rutledge joined us on Tuesday to talk about the book fair, the art world, and the role of contemporary galleries in Wellington.

Kill Your Darlings by B-Side Stories

The Black Sheep Animal Sanctuary is a safe and sustainable space to rehabilitate and re-home abused, injured and neglected animals. Listen to Laura interview their Chief Animal Caretaker, Coax, about some of the amazing animals that live there, and how to support them.

Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project by B-Side Stories

Joining hosts Martin & Perrine this week on B-Side Stories is Ben Phillips from the Newtown Tool Library to discuss the latest in community tool lending and their fantastic "repair cafe" which is being run on October 14. Members of the public can bring old products to be given a new lease of life rather than being thrown out! Ben also introduces us to his favourite local track, Pro Bono Techno Zone by Estere.

Sam Seiniger has come up with a creative solution to keeping warm during the Wellington winter, converting a shipping container into a sauna, built with recycled material, right on the Wellington waterfront with views of the harbour. Sam from NZ Pop-Up Sauna talks with Katharine about sauna traditions, 'sweat bathing', and whether people really do jump in the Wellington harbour after a sauna session. https://www.nzpopupsauna.com/

This year, scientists, public health advocates, and environmental organisations, launched the Freshwater Rescue Plan. The Plan is seven steps the Government can take to address the pollution of rivers and lakes, and the contamination of fresh water. Listen to Laura's conversation with: Annabeth Cohen from Forest & Bird Don Rood from Fish & Game Keriata Stuart from Public Health Association And Jane Ruka from Waitaha Grandmothers Executive Council They explain the seven steps of the plan and their vision for the future of New Zealand's fresh water. For more info, visit www.freshwaterrescueplan.org.nz

Nopesisters clothing is a Wellington brand started by local sisters Brittany and Johanna Cosgrove, and their mum Bette! Brittany joins to tell us all about their MastectoTees and NOPEtees and the causes you can support by buying them, as well as a new shirt just around the corner... You can check out the shirts on their facebook page and buy them using their very easy order forms! https://www.facebook.com/nopesisters/?fref=mentions

Bicycle Junction is a bike shop with a difference. They've been bringing the joy of biking to the masses. And now they've got a new community hub in Wellington central. Help them move shop this Sunday, then check out the new location for a coffee sometime! https://www.bicyclejunction.co.nz/

We interviewed Karin Wiley from Places for Penguins, a community programme that exists to give the Little Penguin/Korora 'a fighting chance'.

Last week we checked out the music of three bands performing at Meow who have been leaders in the alt-rock-pop world here in Wellington!

Since 2015, Adrienne Girling has chaired Out Wellington, the organisation that produces the Wellington Pride Festival/Tū whakahīhī e Te Whanganui-ā-Tara. This year she won an Absolutely Positively Wellington award for her contribution. She joined Laura in the studio to talk about how Out Wellington makes it happen, and what Pride events have done for Wellington City! https://www.wellingtonpridefestival.org.nz/

Michael Clements is an avid collector of Jewish cultural memorabilia! Michael joined Laura and Sapeer to talk about the new display of his collection at the Wellington Jewish Community Centre on now. The exhibit is called: Jewish Life in Wellington 1840-2017 Photo by LUCY SWINNEN of STUFF

This week on B-Side Stories we trialed a new concept, lost Wellington classic albums. Every couple of months we'll shine the B-Side spotlight on albums that have eluded mainstream success but have still left a creative and interesting mark on the Wellington musical landscape. Our pilot album this week was 2014's "More Songs About Girls & The Apocalypse" by Vorn. Vorn sat down with host Martin Andrews to chat about the conception and recording of the album and highlighted four songs in particular, Repentance Song, Drowning Kittens, The story of my f##king life & The Rules.

Sarah Thomson is a freshly minted law grad who's decided to take the Government to court to challenge, what she considers, is their inadequate response to climate change. What motivates someone in their early 20s to take on the Government? Listen in and find out.

Eric Spurr from Landcare Research joined Laura on the phone from Auckland to discuss the importance of the New Zealand Garden Bird Survey, what it has taught us so far, and how people can get involved to be citizen scientists! This year's survey: 24 June - 2 July 2017 Visit: http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/science/plants-animals-fungi/animals/birds/garden-bird-surveys

Every year New Zealand celebrates National Volunteer Week to recognize the contribution of New Zealand's 1.2 million volunteers. Julie Thomson from Volunteer Wellington Joined B-Side Stories host Laura Keown in the studio to chat about the value of volunteering, and the special events on in Wellington for National Volunteer Week 2017!

UnionAID Friday Night Book Bonanza 2017! by B-Side Stories

B-Side Stories transforms into a music show as Laura and Perrine play some tunes from artists visiting the 2017 Wellington Jazz Festival. The Playlist is: The Comet is Coming, "Start Running" Brad Kang "Body and Soul" Black String "Seven Beats" Dave Weckl and band "Higher Ground" Visit www.jazzfestival.co.nz for the full programme!