Children & Youth

Young Musicians Mobilised

Young Dunedin musicians are being given their first taste of recording and media promotion, through OAR FM Dunedin’s Youth Zone Mobilised initiative.

OAR FM is providing recording and interview sessions for 10 solo, duo or group performers under the age of 18 years, for broadcast and for podcast from the station’s website, social media platforms and Youth Zone app.

Shorter video segments from OAR FM’s YouTube channel are also posted on the website and can be accessed via the app.

OAR FM Youth Coordinator Domi Angelo-Laloli said funding support from the DCC Creative Communities scheme enabled participants to write record their own compositions, and to talk about the place of music in their lives.

 “The focus is on original song writing, because we want to encourage young musicians in expressing their own ideas.

“The artists also get experience in talking about their writing process and the things that have shaped their music. For many of them, it’s the first time they’ve been asked the kinds of questions that they might face from the music press, later in their careers.”

Taieri College pupil Ashlee Maxwell, who performed two songs for Youth Zone Mobilised, said she enjoyed comparing an audience’s interpretation of her lyrics with the “truth” behind her words.

“It’s really cool to break down that third wall, to put yourself out there and have other people enjoy what you’re doing.

“The music goal I’m working towards is to never give up. Even if I don’t get big, I’d like to keep doing gigs around Dunedin and other places.

“If something comes up, then something comes up. Fingers crossed!”

Youth Zone Mobilised airs Mondays at 5pm and Saturdays at 1.30pm on OAR 105.4FM and 1575AM, with video and audio podcast from www.oar.org.nz, iTunes and the Youth Zone smart device app, available from YZNZ.app.

Visit Mobilised Page

Photo: Emerging talent: Ashlee Maxwell (17) performs her original songs for OAR FM’s Youth Zone Mobilised.

New App Features Youth Podcasts

Visit YZNZ.app

A new app developed in Dunedin is giving young people direct access to podcasts, video and live-streaming radio shows made by their peers.

OAR FM Dunedin recently celebrated the launch of its Youth Zone app when broadcasters joined thousands of people in the central city for Thieves’ Alley Market Day.

As well as hosting local entertainers on the Princes St stage, the station had a team of Youth Zone broadcasters on site to show marketgoers how to install and use the app on their mobile devices.

OAR FM Youth Coordinator Domi Angelo-Laloli said short videos made by people who downloaded the app on the day were quickly uploaded for sharing.

“It wasl a great way of capturing all the action and excitement of Thieves’ Alley Market Day, and for people to explore all the amazing features of our new app.

“We have some really inspiring young broadcasters involved in creating Youth Zone shows, podcasts and videos here in Dunedin, and the app will make all that great content easy to find and share.”

Development of the app ad had been made possible with funding support from Chorus and the GigCity Digital Community Trust. Young Dunedin people had been involved from the outset, contributing ideas for the app’s features at a series of workshops held in partnership with digital learning spaces Hive Dunedin and Hatch.

Otago Polytechnic School of Design staff and students had worked on the Youth Zone app design and build.

“It’s been rewarding for us to tap into local energy and skills to create the app, and important that we make something that was accessible and fun to use,” said Mr Angelo-Laloli.

“There are so many talented young people in Dunedin. We couldn’t have done it without them.”

The Youth Zone app for Android mobile devices is available from yznz.app and the Google Play store.

Podcasts Engage Schools in Creative Learning

Photo: Incredible scope: OAR FM Dunedin Schools Liaison Shannon Colbert promotes opportunities to create radio shows and podcasts.

OAR FM Dunedin’s newly appointed Schools Liaison Shannon Colbert is eager to engage young minds in a unique and creative learning experience.

Shannon brings a wealth of skills and experience to a project that will see her fostering opportunities for school groups to discover the benefits of making radio shows and podcasts. A trained teacher, former Fortune Theatre educator and current tutor for Interact’s after-school drama classes, she believes there is “incredible scope” to broaden the station’s relationships with schools.

 “I love it when kids find something special in themselves that really comes alive with whatever they’re creating. Through their own radio shows and podcasts, they can combine creativity and expression in a valuable experience that is also heaps of fun.”

The scope for radio podcasts was “incredibly wide”, from one-off shows on study topics by primary school classes to small-group work with secondary school media studies students, which could be assessed against NCEA standards.

Shannon is currently working with a class at George Street Normal School as part of their STEAM project, which stands for science, technology, engineering, arts and maths.

Working with radio was a perfect way for students to share and connect in this integrated way of learning, she said.

“It’s a great way for the students to focus their inquiry and critical thinking, as well boosting confidence, resilience and creativity. They can also proudly share their programmes with their schoolmates, friends, family and people all over the world.”

George Street teacher Zac Ford said STEAM was a perfect means of achieving “a growth mind-set”.

“The children create, make mistakes, evaluate, analyse and apply their new understanding all within a team work environment. Any chance to use new technology, such as radio podcasts, on top of an already engaging kinesthetic learning style will help our children remember their learning.”

OAR FM Schools Liaison Shannon Colbert can be contact via email at shannon@oar.org.nz or by calling the station on 471 6161. Listen to OAR FM’s 90-plus Dunedin-made shows on 105.4FM and 1575AM with podcasts available from oar.org.nz, Google Podcasts and Apple Podcasts.

A Positive Spin To New Show

If the doom and gloom of daily news is getting you down, a new show on Otago Access Radio (OAR FM) might be the pick-me-up you need.

The Positivity Show is the brainchild of Julia Young, a Dunedin broadcaster with a determination to share the many good-news stories in her community.

Julia’s own story is a bright one. Having first got involved at OAR FM through participation in the Connections Collectionshow, made by the Connections Centre for people with high support needs due to intellectual and/or physical disabilities, she went on to take a producer’s role with IDEA Services’Switch Radio Show involving young people with intellectual disabilities who are exploring pathways to adult life.

“I thought it was time for me to evolve and broaden my skills, and I thought the best way for me to do that would be to focus on other areas such as producing and editing,” Julia said.

Not satisfied to leave her development as a broadcaster there, Julia decided to host and produce her own show, one that provided an alternative to the prevailing coverage of strife and conflict.

“I had to stop watching the news because there was so much negativity and never any good, positive stories about what was happening in the world.

“When I got the chance to create my own show, suddenly a lightbulb lit up and I thought, this is my chance to spread some positive thinking around.”

A crowdfunding campaign quickly raised the modest fee for airtime, and Julia was on her way.

The Positivity Show has to date featured interviews with Tommy Thomas, a support worker with the Switch team who has painted a mural in Stafford St, and with Jono Glassey from the Connections Centre.

Julia is joined on her programme by a “great bunch of bro’s” – imaginary lemur companions Ronnie, Ricky, Roger and Potato.

“They’ve been really good friends, to help me with the show and bring a bit of humour and fun.”

Fortnightly programme The Positivity Show next airs fortnightly Thursdays at 3pm on OAR FM Dunedin 105.4FM and 1575AM. Podcasts are available fromwww.oar.org.nz.

Photo: Nothing but good news: Otago Access Radio’s The Positivity Show is hosted by Julia Young and lemur friends (from left) Ronnie, Roger, Potato and Ricky.

Youth Activist Backing a Quiet Riot

Ashley King is calling on local youth to riot – or rather, be a riot.

The 18-year-old host of Project Rioteer on Otago Access Radio’s Youth Zone prefers the definition of riot as an impressively large or varied display, as in “a riot of colour”, over a violent public disturbance. The different backgrounds and interests of young people are to be celebrated, she says.

“What’s your colour? Your personality? And how can you contribute to making this world look so cool?

“Youth have so much potential to influence our future. After all, we are going to inherit this world.”

Ms King formed activism collective Ashley and the Riot in 2015, to bring young Dunedin people together to make a positive change in their community. The group’s stated mission is to work towards a better future, encourage diversity and to take a stand against bullying.

Following an appearance as an interview guest on another Youth Zone programme earlier this year, Ms King decided that her own radio show and podcast could provide a platform for discussing the issues Ashley and the Riot was formed to address. Programmes to date had focused on poverty and hardship, with activities including a collection of food and hygiene products for donation to the Salvation Army foodbank.

Project Rioteer co-host Esther Tamati (15) said she joined the show after meeting Ms King at a meeting of the Dunedin Multi-Ethnic Council. Her aims were to encourage confidence in young people and to help get their voices heard.

“It’s important to me that everyone is treated equally. I’m a bit younger than Ashley and have a different view on things. So I offer a different perspective.”

Ms King had recently been appointed to the executive committee of the Otago Community Broadcasters Society and was looking forward the experience.

“It means a lot to me and I’m really excited to contribute to Otago Access Radio on behalf of young people in Dunedin.”

Project Rioteer airs every second Friday at 4pm on OAR 105.4FM and 1575AM. Podcasts are available from www.oar.org.nz.

Photo: Young potential: Esther Tamati and Ashley King are hosts of Otago Access Radio show Project Rioteer.

Kiwi Music First Choice For Young Broadcaster

One of Otago Access Radio’s regular Youth Zone crew is stepping out on his own to host a new programme aimed at promoting Kiwi music.

Taieri College Year 12 student Karl Brinsdon (16) hosts fortnightly show Choice As, a half-hour mix of music and interviews with a local focus.

Karl said the motivation to start his own programme came from his belief that there was little opportunity for New Zealand bands to promote their recordings and gigs in the media.

“I don’t think we, as New Zealanders, value local music as much as we should. I’m a big music fan, so I thought it would be a cool thing to try out.”

While Choice As primarily focused on pop and rock music, Karl was keen to feature artists across a range of genres. The programme would also include interviews with Dunedin musicians and visitors from out of town.

Not content to limit his endeavours to radio promotion, Karl set his sights on improving opportunities for young bands to perform in public. His own rock-and-metal band Saurian was typical of many who struggled to find age-appropriate venues and support, he said. With that in mind, he was in the process of seeking funding from the Mosgiel-Taieri Community Board to put on a concert at the Wingatui Hall later this year.

“I feel that it’s necessary to get out there for my own music, and for the benefit of other musicians and people in the community who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to see live music.

“Hopefully, if it goes well it will become a regular thing.”

Karl’s experience as lead singer and guitarist with Saurian had not made it any easier to front a radio show, he said. Having been “quite scared” of the microphone when starting with Youth Zone a year ago, his confidence was now growing.

“Now, it’s all good and I’m really happy that I’ve been given the opportunity to do it.”

Choice As airs every second Tuesday at 4.30pm on OAR 105.4FM and 1575AM. Podcasts are available from www.oar.org.nz.

Election Coverage 2017

Child Poverty Election Candidate Forum

On Wednesday 23 August 2017 a General Election Candidates Forum on Child Poverty was held at Knox Church Community Hall, Dunedin.

The forum was organised by Connect South in partnership with Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers, Public Health Association of New Zealand and the Child Poverty Action Group.

Candidates to address the forum were: Metiria Turei MP (Green), Clare Curran (Labour), Paul Foster-Bell (National), Warren Voight (NZ First) and Lindsay Smith (The Opportunities Party).

The forum is podcasts in its entirety.

Dunedin Youth Debate

In this special broadcast we bring you coverage of the Dunedin Youth Debate held on Thursday the 31st of August at Otago Boys’ High School, organised by the Dunedin Youth Council.

In this debate, representatives from four political parties discussed issues relevant to young people in Dunedin.

We will hear from; Shane Gallagher (Green), Paul Foster-Bell (National), Clare Curran (Labour) and Abe Gray (The Opportunities Party).

For more information on the Dunedin Youth Council, check out their Facebook Page

Election Forum: Climate Change and Environmental Issues

In this special event broadcast we bring you coverage of the ‘Election Forum on Climate Change and Environmental Issues’, held at the Otago Polytechnic on Wednesday the 6th of September.

This event was organised by Sustainable Dunedin City and Chaired by Jinty MacTavish.

We hear from six representatives as they discuss their parties policies on environmental issues

Niki Bould – Green Party
Miriam Mowatt – Democrats for Social Credit
Lindsay Smith – The Opportunities Party
David Clark – Labour Party
Warren Voight – New Zealand First
Lachie Ashton – Conservative Party

OARsome Morning Show – 08-09-2017
Elections 2017 – Dee Vickers, Registrar of Electors

The Search Is On For Young Poets







Radio/Podcast Series to Profile 20 Dunedin Writers Aged 14-18 Years

Otago Access Radio’s Youth Zone in collaboration with Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature and Dunedin Public Libraries present an unmissable opportunity for young poets.

We’re looking for expressions of interest from 20 young poets to perform and record original works free of charge. Your poetry, your format, your style.

If you are between the ages of 14 – 18 and have a love of words, we want to hear from you. This is your chance to reach a broad local audience on 105.4FM and 1575AM, and podcast to the world from OAR FM’s website www.oar.org.nz.

Each 15 minute episode will include an interview with a young writer about their work and their interest in writing and performing poetry, and readings of their original poems. The recording sessions will take place over 20 weeks starting early February.

This is a unique opportunity as there are only 20 spaces available!

TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST please use our online form


Register Your Interest Here