A massive ukulele performance will form part of the annual CubaDupa festival in Wellington on Sunday.

The festival's teaming up with NZ Ukulele to put on a ukulele extravaganza, featuring 23 school, university and community ukulele groups for a massive collaborative project.

Organiser Sean O'Connor and members of Victoria University's Vic Ukes joined Nick Mills in studio to preview in the event, and gave some of the Newstalk ZB team some ukulele tips.

O'Connor also runs a Porowhita community singing event on Instagram, and is also running a sing-along event next month.

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A massive ukulele performance will form part of the annual CubaDupa festival in Wellington on Sunday.
The festival's teaming up with NZ Ukulele to put on a <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.cubadupa.co.nz/artists-2024/uke-a-dupa/" target="_blank">ukulele extravaganza</a>, featuring 23 school, university and community ukulele groups for a massive collaborative project.
Organiser Sean O'Connor and members of Victoria University's Vic Ukes joined Nick Mills in studio to preview in the event, and gave some of the Newstalk ZB team some ukulele tips.
O'Connor also runs a <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/porowhita?igsh=amQ2MzhzZzBxOTdm&amp;utm_source=qr" target="_blank" data-anchor="?igsh=amQ2MzhzZzBxOTdm&amp;utm_source=qr">Porowhita community singing</a> event on Instagram, and is also running a <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/s/porowhita-community-singing/1073230857218756/?mibextid=9l3rBW" target="_blank" data-anchor="?mibextid=9l3rBW">sing-along event next month.</a>
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Wellingtonians now have the chance to discuss the issues of the day one-on-one with proud local Nick Mills and have a forum to share their ideas, passions and outrages on a daily basis.

You don't find many people more passionate about the capital than Nick, and he comes to Wellington Mornings after decades of success as the man behind some of the city's leading hospitality and entertainment offerings - Spruce Goose, Hummingbird and the Wellington Saints basketball team just to name a few.

Nick's proud of his city but also knows much can be improved on to make Wellington an even better place, and brings an honest, edgy, fun and engaging show to Wellingtonians each weekday from 9 'til midday.

Wellingtonians now have the chance to discuss the issues of the day one-on-one with proud local Nick Mills and have a forum to share their ideas, passions and outrages on a daily basis. You don't find many people more passionate about the capital than Nick, and he comes to Wellington Mornings after decades of success as the man behind some of the city's leading hospitality and entertainment offerings - Spruce Goose, Hummingbird and the Wellington Saints basketball team just to name a few. Nick's proud of his city but also knows much can be improved on to make Wellington an even better place, and brings an honest, edgy, fun and engaging show to Wellingtonians each weekday from 9 'til midday.

Wellingtonians now have the chance to discuss the issues of the day one-on-one with proud local Nick Mills and have a forum to share their ideas, passions and outrages on a daily basis.

Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

Massive Ukulele extravaganza in this year's CubaDupa

The Aotearoa Music Awards will be announced at the end of the month of May, which doubles as New Zealand Music Month. 

Wellington Mornings music guru James Irwin, fresh from a trip to buy a bunch of new CDs, joined Nick Mills to talk about some interesting AMA finalists, and his favourite Kiwi songs. 

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The Aotearoa Music Awards will be announced at the end of the month of May, which doubles as New Zealand Music Month. 
Wellington Mornings music guru James Irwin, fresh from a trip to buy a bunch of new CDs, joined Nick Mills to talk about some interesting AMA finalists, and his favourite Kiwi songs. 
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Music Time: James Irwin on the Aotearoa Music Award finalists and his favourite Kiwi songs

OPINION

Anyone who knows me knows how important I think Victoria and Massey Universities are for our city. 

Wellington lights up when the students arrive at the beginning of the year, and the city dies down when they leave.

Well today through to Thursday is graduation week for a lot of students from Victoria University.

This is the highlight for not only the students graduating, but a highlight for family and whanau celebrating a lot of hard work.

So when I first heard that a student group was planning to co-opt this week's graduation events with a pro-Palestine demonstration I said to myself no way. 

Now this is nothing to do with what they are protesting against; we can put that to the side. 

It's more the fact that some things in life have to be free of any form of political protest.

Some things are special, some things are too important, some things are just completely inappropriate for a protest.

To me, graduation parades should be left alone. Students should be left to be themselves; to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of their great work.

Student Justice for Palestine Poneke organiser Hana Pilkington-Ching says students should use the celebrations to raise awareness of the war in Gaza by bringing Palestine flags or signs to the ceremonies.

She says New Zealand students need to recognise that education is under attack in Palestine and there are no universities left in Gaza.

Some would argue it is absolutely something to protest. 

I would say a graduation parade is the wrong place, and the wrong time. Some things should be left alone and one of them is graduation.

You don't ask people to turn up to your nan’s funeral wearing a ‘Bring Back Buck’ t-shirt.

You don’t go to a wedding holding a nuclear-free New Zealand banner.

No. These things are special.

Some things should be left alone and I strongly believe there should be no political aspect to a graduation. 

There should be no pressure on these students to feel obligated to be involved.

This is their day and their family's day. The thought of people trying to hijack this event angers me.

It’s wrong.

LISTEN ABOVE

OPINION
Anyone who knows me knows how important I think Victoria and Massey Universities are for our city.  
Wellington lights up when the students arrive at the beginning of the year, and the city dies down when they leave. 
Well today through to Thursday is graduation week for a lot of students from Victoria University. 
This is the highlight for not only the students graduating, but a highlight for family and whanau celebrating a lot of hard work. 
So when I first heard that a student group was planning to co-opt this week's graduation events with a pro-Palestine demonstration I said to myself no way. 
Now this is nothing to do with what they are protesting against; we can put that to the side.  
It's more the fact that some things in life have to be free of any form of political protest. 
Some things are special, some things are too important, some things are just completely inappropriate for a protest. 
To me, graduation parades should be left alone. Students should be left to be themselves; to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of their great work. 
Student Justice for Palestine Poneke organiser Hana Pilkington-Ching says students should use the celebrations to raise awareness of the war in Gaza by bringing Palestine flags or signs to the ceremonies. 
She says New Zealand students need to recognise that education is under attack in Palestine and there are no universities left in Gaza. 
Some would argue it is absolutely something to protest.  
I would say a graduation parade is the wrong place, and the wrong time. Some things should be left alone and one of them is graduation. 
You don't ask people to turn up to your nan’s funeral wearing a ‘Bring Back Buck’ t-shirt. 
You don’t go to a wedding holding a nuclear-free New Zealand banner. 
No. These things are special. 
Some things should be left alone and I strongly believe there should be no political aspect to a graduation. 
There should be no pressure on these students to feel obligated to be involved. 
This is their day and their family's day. The thought of people trying to hijack this event angers me. 
It’s wrong. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Nick Mills: Students co-opting graduation ceremonies for pro-Palestine protests are out of line

Winston is off overseas yet again, this week on a trip to multiple Melanesian states. And a new poll was released last week, what do the numbers show?

Newstalk ZB political editor joined Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills for an update from the Beehive. 

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Winston is off overseas yet again, this week on a trip to multiple Melanesian states. And a new poll was released last week, what do the numbers show?
Newstalk ZB political editor joined Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills for an update from the Beehive. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Massive Ukulele extravaganza in this year's CubaDupa

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