On the Air - Mā runga iarere for Wednesday 21 January 2026

Check out all the tunes played with our playlist 'Sounds Like On The Air' below!

Julia Palm is a curious collector, a fashion designer, maker, and owner of the label JPALM.

She's also the founder of SLUG Pop Up, a retail experience and exhibition space that sets up for three weeks across Wellington city and has built a cult following, showcasing fashion, photography, art, books, homewares, eyewear, perfume, music, ceramics and jewellery from New Zealand creatives. 

Julia Palm, joins Maggie Tweedie and Mark Williams to talk about the stylish world of fashion brands.

1:35 Fifty years of Hip-Hop history with DJ Hudge

A South Londoner with a love of Hip Hop culture both old and new, Dave 'DJ Hudge' Hudgins was involved in the London Hip Hop scene since 1989 before moving to Aotearoa. Later in February Hudge is celebrating 50+ years of hip-hop culture in Aotearoa with an epic outdoor throw down in Aotea Square.

He sits with Maggie Tweedie and Mark Williams to share a bit about the genre's rich history.

DJ Hudge's Selection:

• Eric B & Rakim - Don’t Sweat the Technique

• Big Daddy Kane - It’s Hard Being The Kane

• Gang Starr - DWYCK

• Dam Native - Behold My Kool Style 

2:10 Rollers Bakery steps into the pie arena

Earlier this week in a small soundproof studio Mark Williams tore open brown bags containing creamy Paua Pies, filling the room with the aromas of fresh baked pastry, questions were had, answers were needed, so we've gone to the experts.

Nestled in Northcote, Rollers Bakery crafts dreamy pies and pastries, and they join the show today to discuss all things baked.

2:35 Growing generations of readers in Aotearoa

Read NZ has been running their writers in schools programme for more than 5 decades in Aotearoa. Generations of new readers have been inspired to pick up books when a local writer or illustrator has visited their classroom.

Chief executive of Read NZ Te Pou Muramura Juliet Blyth joins Maggie Tweedie to discuss the program and its success.

3:05 Violet Hirst talks preforming live and finding inspiration

Contemporary singer-songwriter Violet Hirst tours small Aotearoa venues this summer. An evening of layered vocals, familiar melodies and unique songwriting supported by Madeleine Dove.

Born and raised in Tāhuna Queenstown, Violet's musical journey began the day she was born: opening night of her mother's musical Kitchens. Her songs and live performance embody the theatrics and ballads that surrounded her childhood. 

She joins Maggie Tweedie and Mark Williams to chat about performing live, developing new music and pushing sonic boundaries. 

Songs Played:

• Violet Hirst - For You

• Violet Hirst - My Body

4:05 Chelsea Jane Winstanley ONZM talks about 'TOITŪ: Visual Sovereignty'

Chelsea Winstanley of Ngāti Ranginui and Ngāi Te Rangi is an Academy Award-nominated producer and a trailblazer in Indigenous storytelling.

She was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2022 for her services to film and Māori storytelling and made history as the first Indigenous woman nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars for Jojo Rabbit.

Her credits include What We Do in the Shadows and the acclaimed documentary Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen. Chelsea co-founded Matewa Media, which has reimagined major Disney films in te reo Māori — including Moana, The Lion King, and Frozen.

She joins Maggie Tweedie and Mark Williams to talk about her new feature film TOITŪ: Visual Sovereignty, her directorial debut.

Songs Played:

1pm

• Jim Sharp - Searching

• Ann Peebles - I Can't Stand The Rain

• David Bowie - Fashion

• Kraftwerk - The Model

• Eric B & Rakim - Don’t Sweat the Technique

• Big Daddy Kane - It’s Hard Being The Kane

• Gang Starr - DWYCK

• Dam Native - Behold My Kool Style 

2pm

• Jim Sharp - Searching

• Jimi Hendrix - Rainy Day Dream Away

• Donny Hathaway - The Ghetto

• Strangely Arousing -  Kupenga

• James Brown - The Payback

3pm

• Jim Sharp - Searching

• Iggy Pop - Nightcubbing

• Violet Hirst - For You

• Violet Hirst - My Body

• Nick Cave - Red Right Hand

• OutKast - Prototype

• Gorillaz, Bizarrap, Kara Jackson and Anoushka Shankar - Orange County

• Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Drag

• Marlon Williams - Korero Māori

4pm

• Jim Sharp - Searching

• Troy Kingi - Te Wai Nō Rua Whetū / Aztechknowledgey

• Ria Hall - Rangatira/Owner

• Ed Waka - Our World

• Dave Para - Your Magic

• Mokotron - ŌHĀKĪ