August 2026

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"Let us love winter, for it is the spring of genius." I don’t know who said that, but I’m picking they had a log fire and good insulation. So far I’m still waiting for genius to kick in. Tricky to pen an uplifting sonnet when you’re coughing your lungs out. Full disclosure – I’m not coping well with my viral interlopers. I’m taking some comfort from Arthur C. Clarke, who suggested that the reason we find the common cold so hard to shake is because its DNA is so similar to ours that our immune systems struggle to identify it as alien. Why do I take comfort from that? Well, he went on to say that the cold virus may actually share some of its DNA with us during a nasty bout, and the exchange may be beneficial. Well, I was quite a sickly child back in the day, and I’m hoping that repeated exposure to the cold virus might eventually turn me into a genius. Seems to be a slow process, but I live in hope. 

You need hope in major dollops at the moment, don’t you? Hope and determination. We’re doing our bit here, not just at Arrow but right across the motu at the 12 access stations. For every expression of hate, every xenophobic diatribe, every cut to essential services, access stations are countering with inclusivity, diversity, information and kindness. Access kaupapa promotes social cohesion, fairness, understanding. Is it enough? When those with major power and resources are throwing everything they’ve got at destroying the foundations of democracy? Well, you’ve got to do what you can. As someone else said…“There is a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious, makes you so sick at heart, that you can’t take part; you can’t even passively take part, and you’ve got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus, and you’ve got to make it stop. And you’ve got to indicate to the people who run it, to the people who own it, that unless you’re free, the machine will be prevented from working at all!”

Michael

Station News

We’re continuing to strengthen our role as a trusted source of information during emergencies by working closely with our local emergency management team. Recently, Mel Arcus and Jane Mills recorded a series of important emergency preparedness messages that will be broadcast throughout our regular programme schedule. These messages are designed to keep our community informed and encourage people to be prepared before an emergency happens.

If you'd like to learn even more about emergency preparedness, tune in to Beyond Panic, hosted by Margi and Anne-Marie. The programme explores how to prepare for emergencies, build resilience, and become more self-sufficient, offering practical tips and conversations that can help households and communities be ready for whatever comes their way.

Programme Wing

(in their own words)

What's your show about?
Sheldopedia is a show about… pretty much anything that catches my attention! and I have a lot of attention to catch!

I’m a self-confessed fact man, so I love sharing weird, wonderful and occasionally completely useless facts. But there’s more to the show than just facts. I talk about current events, everyday stories, local people, politics and whatever else I happen to find interesting.

Basically, if I’ve been wondering about it, there’s a good chance I’ll make everyone else wonder about it too. The show is a mixture of information, conversation, humour and the occasional rabbit hole that I probably should have left well alone.

How do you put together your show?

Usually, it starts with me finding something interesting and thinking, “I wonder if anyone else knows this?” Then I do a bit of research, find out far more than I probably needed to know, and somehow turn it into a radio segment.

I’m always looking for interesting stories, strange facts, local issues and things that make people stop and think. I like to have a plan, but I also enjoy seeing where a conversation goes — sometimes the best moments are the ones you didn’t plan for.

There’s a fair bit of research involved, but there’s also a lot of curiosity, a little bit of chaos and probably far too much enthusiasm for facts that most people didn’t realise they needed to know.

What does it mean to be part of the Arrow FM whānau?

Being part of the Arrow FM whānau means belonging and being part of a group of people who are passionate about radio, their community and telling local stories. It’s a place where you can be yourself; which is probably both a blessing and a concern for anyone who has listened to Sheldopaedia!

Access radio is special because it gives ordinary people a voice and allows local stories, people and issues to be heard. It’s personal, local and genuine.

For me, being part of Arrow FM means having a place where I can share my curiosity, my sense of humour and my slightly excessive enthusiasm for facts and politics, while hopefully entertaining people and occasionally teaching them something they didn’t know they needed to know.

I think that’s what being part of the Arrow FM whānau is really about: connecting with people, having a bit of fun and making sure there’s always someone on air willing to ask the questions that nobody else thought to ask.

Events Lounge

Supporters’ Gallery

Arrow FM is proudly part of CAMA - Community Access Media Alliance, the national body for the 12 independently-owned access media stations across Aotearoa.

If you have any feedback or suggestions just let us know on quiver@arrow.co.nz or pop in at the station.