Kiwi variety on East FM, Saturday from high noon... She'll Be Right...
With Waitangi Day almost here, it’ll be a full roster of Kiwi music with features also on the NZ Trio, The Mons Whaler, and Jack Robertson, on tomorrow’s She’ll Be Right on Saturdays Show with PJ Taylor, midday to 4pm (NZ time, Feb 3) on East FM.
The award-winning and acclaimed NZ Trio – Ashley Brown on cello, Somi Kim on piano, and Liu-Yi Retallick on violin – are collaborating with Kenji Bunch, Tabea Squire, and Paul Schoenfield, in their Summer Series – Groove Box, playing Auckland concerts at Howick’s Uxbridge Arts and Culture on Friday, February 16, and at Pah Homestead in Hillsborough on Sunday, February 18.
We’ll be talking live to Ashley Brown at 12.30pm about the NZ Trio and what will undoubtedly be dynamic and inspiring music performances.
The NZ Trio press department says: ‘Prepare to be whirled away in this toe-tapping journey through quirky rhythms, vibrant city nightlife, and the colourful spectrum of jazz. Kenji Bunch's rhythmic Groovebox captures the essence of New York City between dusk and dawn; NZ composer Tabea Squire leads a strangely off-beat dance with an “upbeat owl”; Paul Schoenfield’s jazzy romp through a Minneapolis steakhouse.’
More information about NZ Trio (He Taonga Wairere) is at nztrio.com... including for tickets, or see uxbridge.org.nz...
The Mons Whaler, the Taranaki alt-swamp-blues band featured on She’ll Be Right in October, have a new “spellbinding” new single out, Blood, ahead of their debut LP release next month.
Blackout Music says: ‘A sublime tune imbued with a deeply-felt and haunting melancholia, Blood is a deep-cut rolling groove featuring a beguiling steel guitar, feather-light piano, and gloriously harmonious backing vocals - all melding to warmly elevate an authentic blues-soaked vocal.
‘In essence, Blood is a song from the heart about whānau, the dynamic multi-layers of the physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions that bind us from our past, our present, and into our future. Referencing the cyclical nature of our upbringings, it connects all that we learn from our parents and wider familial experiences, and how this is reflected in the way we choose to parent ourselves. It also comments on the hurt we collectively feel for each other when we are going through tough times.’
The Mons Whaler are described as “an innately chilled outfit who deliver a spine-tingling fusion of coolly controlled blues, rock and soul. With their signature warm neo-vintage sound of swampy alt-blues, tight rhythm section, and velvet vocals, Hemi Coates (vocals / guitar), Andre Peri (percussion / backing vocals), Phil Hoskin (bass guitar / backing vocals) and Courtnay Low (keys / lead guitar / backing vocals) are turning heads and generating a serious buzz both in live circles and across the music industry.”
Jack Robertson, a talented emerging East Auckland singer-songwriter, who has also appeared live on SBR last year, has a cool new single out, Bittersweet, and we’ll play that and other tracks by him, too. He’s planning on releasing his first album this year.
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 providing a platform for NZ music and performing artists to exhibit their skills. Ka pai. – PJ
Homicide investigation underway in east Auckland
A homicide investigation is underway following two assaults aboard a bus in east Auckland on Monday evening.
One man has died with a second man receiving serious injuries after they were attacked in two separate incidents aboard the number 76 bus travelling from Glen Innes towards Ōrakei.
A team of investigators are actively searching for the offender, who remains at large this morning.
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin, of Auckland City CIB, says Police were notified by ambulance about two separate assaults around 8pm.
At this stage Police have established the offender boarded the bus at Apirana Avenue in Glen Innes at 7.53pm.
Assault 1: Fenchurch and Taniwha Streets
“The first victim boarded the bus at 7.56pm and travelled a short distance before moving to exit the bus at 7.58pm,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says. “The only other passenger aboard initiated an attack on the victim, before he could exit the bus near Fenchurch Street in Glen Innes.”
During this assault, the victim has suffered a fatal knife wound. “The victim, is aged in his 50s, and managed to flee from the bus, before it continued on route.
Assault 2: in the vicinity of Coates Avenue and Kepa Road
The 76 bus continued on route and around 8.09pm, the second victim boarded the bus.
“A man aged in his 40s sat at the back of the bus where the offender moved towards him,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says. “The second unprovoked assault began when the offender approached the victim at the rear of the bus. The offender initiated a fight and quickly produced a knife and assaulted the victim. After a short confrontation the second victim managed to flee from the bus, along with another passenger and the bus driver near the bus stop at Coates Avenue and Kepa Road."
The offender eventually exited the bus himself and was last seen fleeing on foot.
Investigators seeking offender
Police staff have worked through the night to identify the offender responsible for both unprovoked attacks. This has included 2 scene examinations. The bus has been secured and will be examined today.
“I can advise the community that we are following positive lines of enquiry to identify this man, and our priority this morning is to locate and arrest him. Detectives are currently supported by members of the Armed Offenders Squad,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says.
Police have reviewed CCTV footage from inside the bus.
Detective Inspector Baldwin says: “I’m appalled at the unprovoked violence used by this offender against two men who have done absolutely nothing wrong, and one has tragically and needlessly lost his life.
“Our investigation is still in its infancy, but we are committed to understanding the motive and exactly why such violence took place aboard a bus last night."
“I know this horrific event will leave the community unsettled, but please be assured that our investigation team is doing all we can to locate this man.”
Police have spoken with a number of people but ask anyone with additional information to come forward.
Please update Police online now or call 105 using the reference number 251208/7471 or Operation Gyle.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.
Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔
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73% We work hard, we deserve a break!
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17.5% Hmm, maybe?
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9.5% Yes!
Have you seen Rowena?
Police are urgently appealing for sightings of Rowena, 39, reported missing from Christchurch.
She was reported missing to Police on 22 October 2025, and was last seen on 14 August 2025. Rowena hasn’t been in contact with her children and her family are worried for her safety.
Police investigating her disappearance have identified her as being in Auckland, Tauranga and Christchurch in the recent months prior to her missing person report being made.
If you have seen Rowena, or have any information regarding her whereabouts, please contact us immediately.
You can contact us via 105 either over the phone or online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” and referencing file number 251022/9026.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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