January 2007 marked my 10th anniversary of living on Waiheke. I shifted here thinking I'd stay a couple of years and now I can't contemplate living anywhere else. One of the things I like most about being here is my involvement in Beach Radio. You can find out more about the station at http://waihekeradio.blogspot.com.
I host a couple of different radio shows. Island Life, is the station's current affairs magazine show. This show has a real community focus and over 4 years of involvement I have interviewed many many islanders involved in a wide range of community groups, issues and events. The show highlights just how much people do on this island for the sake of the community and to preserve the uniqueness of Waiheke. To get a sense of what the Island Life show is all about check out our regular chat with Waiheke Coast Guard, local folk musician Bill Whall playing live, and an interview I'm particularly proud of with island peace activist Maynie Thompson.
The other show, Counting The Beat is a NZ music show on Sunday nights at 6pm. This also has a community focus. Each May, to mark NZ Month Month, we feature a series of Waiheke musicians playing live in our studio. The series is called Live On The Beach and you can download the 2007 performances by Chris Orange, Ian Simpson, Mamacan and Rattleshack.
The same things that draw me to local radio draw me to Waihekpedia. I like the idea of a place for us to tell our own stories.
Chris Walker