Every Saturday morning you can start your weekend with the crew from Rise Up, Maranga, or RUM as they are better known around the station. There is a bit of something for every listener, from music, to sports, to current events and just general good fun.

Maranga is an aspirational service from Spectrum Care for people with intellectual disabilities, supporting them to achieve awesome things and connect with the fabulous Wellington community. The RUM show has been going for over five years and the presenters are now seasoned experts at making radio.

Nick is one of the RUM sports experts and always has some facts to share with the listeners, especially if it’s about football or basketball. He also has great music choices for the show – on the day we caught up he was playing ‘Karma Chameleon’ by Culture Club.  Nick says that he doesn’t get nervous about being on the radio, saying ‘it’s fun to chat away’. His advice to people that might want to do radio is to ‘have fun, and talk about anything you want to talk about!’

Liz usually shares updates about her life and what she’s been up to in the weekend with the weekly listeners. Liz says that when she first started making radio she was nervous, but that it has got easier over time and she actually finds it useful for her anxiety. ‘Radio is good to do’ says Liz. ‘I like the atmosphere in the station when I come here. All the staff are nice and treat me with respect’.

Another weekly slot belongs to Kat, who shares facts about different countries each show. Kat says she spends time on a Wednesday night preparing her facts, and she likes it because ‘doing different countries means you learn different skills’.

There are many more amazing RUM hosts, including Dom with news and weather, and Axel with issues that are currently in the news. Michael is the show’s animal expert, while Matthew shares five facts and his love of pop music.

When you put all that together you get an informative and fun hour of radio, perfect to listen to on a Saturday morning as you have your first cup of coffee.

Rise Up, Maranga
Saturdays, 9-10am
Wellington Access Radio 106.1fm