This show broadcast on 2nd September 2014. Click here to listen to the podcast: GREEN TEA SEPTEMBER 2014 SoundCloud

Being election season in New Zealand, the show has a theme, and we’re talking about the art, history, and politics of Protest.

First up I speak to long time political activist, journalist, and current Paekakariki Community Board member Sam Buchanan about his experiences in numerous protest movements. I ask his opinions about what he sees protest actually achieving, and how it has influenced who we are today. Sam talks about participation, and how protest marches can involve vast numbers of people, drawing them in to become more literate about the issue of the day. We talk of political bias and protest songs including the satirical ‘Planet Key’ by Darren Watson.

Pondering lunch – with Sam Buchanan

10 year old Milli Nixon tells us about her experiences going to different protest actions in Wellington and Paekakariki.

At the Oil-Free-Seas protest action on Paekakariki beach in November 2013

My final feature interview is with life-long activist Fergus Wheeler who reckons protesting is vitally important, but really only just 1% of citizens duty on a democratic society. He also believes strongly in using humor provided it’s appropriate for the movement. Fergus says that once 15% of the population is talking about an issue with their families around the dinner table, it’s inevitable there will be change. He tells us about why the Anti-Nuclear campaign had such deep grass roots that it took a firm hold in this country, but less so in others. And Fergus reveals just how subversive J-Walking really is!

Avant Gardener Hannah Zwartz is back in the saddle after almost two months absence. Spring is warming up, so it’s a busy, and usually windy time in the edible garden. We talk about how to germinate seedlings early using cloches, and ‘under-floor’ heating. For those who don’t manage this, the Paekakariki School annual seedling sale is coming up in a few weeks. Plant your early spuds for Christmas, and watch your garden start to take off after the approaching equinox later in September.

This month’s playlist includes:

‘Planet Key’ the Darren Watson single released just this month.

Get up Stand Up was a project hoping to ignite those disengaged from politics to stand as one (Tūtahi). It brought together 22 of Aotearoa’s top musical talent including Rio Hunuki-Hemopo, Lisa Tomlins, Maisey Rika, CheFu, King Kapisi, Tiki Taane, Brad and Laughton Kora, Isaac Aesili, Warren Maxwell, and many more.

Title theme: Mardi Gras BB , ‘Down Down Down’.