Featured Programmes
Teresa O’Connor, Jacquetta Bell
Have you been wondering what’s the story with Māori wards? What are they and why are they important? Why is there a referendum on them in this year’s local body elections? We’re going to hear from Nelson people who know that Māori wards work and want to keep them here in Nelson and Tasman and across the motu.
Fresh FM
The Nelson Arts Festival is 11 days of unmissable arts experiences in Whakatū! 23 Oct – 2 Nov 2025. We take a look behind the scenes and hear about some of the unmissable events coming to Whakatū this October in our interview series.
Nelson Tasman Climate Forum
Get inspired for the 2025 Nelson Tasman Climate Action Festival with Countdown to the Climate Action Festival, a mini-series in collaboration with the Nelson Tasman Climate Forum.
Claire Williamson
A Little Bit Booked is like listening to two friends chat about their latest literary obsession. Editor and writer Claire Williamson (@accidentaltokyoite) is regularly joined by authors, book lovers, and publishing experts for in-depth interviews, reviews, and plenty of recommendations. Expect more than a bit of banter! Have a burning books question? Email alittlebitbookednz@gmail.com.
Music: Mellow Days by Pold, license: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike
Karolina Gorton, Emma Constantine
For Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 diverse community members share their stories of big life transitions that affected their mental wellbeing, and talk about how connecting with others helped them move out of isolation and distress and towards community. Created in partnership with Health Action Trust, Hikitia! and Fresh FM, these 30 minute stories encourage others to reach out and give practical tips for supporting each other.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Starting Wednesday September 04, your opportunity to sit in on a local AA Meeting On Air.
Rich McCoy
Hearth Tales invites you to bask in the warm glow of creativity. Join Rich McCoy as he listens to the tales of artists, makers, creative souls and those that love them. These luminaries share their wisdom, illuminating the path. Through their stories, we discover the power of passion, the resilience of the human spirit, and the transformative nature of art and creativity.
About Fresh FM
FreshFM is a not-for-profit charitable trust funded by NZ On Air, grants and donations to provide a voice for the many voices of our community.
Our vision is that FreshFM should reflect the aspirations, creativity, experiences, stories and music of the people who live in Te Tauihu The Top of The South, and through our broadcast frequencies and on-line services, share those things with the world.
How to listen
Nelson-Tasman 104.8 FM
Nelson CBD 107.2
Golden Bay 95.0 FM
Blenheim 88.9 FM
Arts & Music
Warwick Jones
Tune in for house, trance and drum n bass with Warwick.
LGBTQIA+ radio. Music by us and for us, because representation matters and so do the songs that shape us.
Hosted by Jo. Expect interviews, new music, songs from all eras, and the occasional deep dive or guest mix.
Students from Nelson College for Girls
Students from Nelson College for Girls host The Dinner Club. Music, chat and fun!
Harmony Aquarian
HATU is IN Da House… from My house to your house, whether you’re in the dog house, the poor house, the nut house, the murder house, Parliament House, or the House of the Rising Sun, we’ll be dealing with some of the important issues of the day.
Michael Bortnick and Grace
Join hosts Michael Bortnick and Grace from our Nelson Studio presenting a breakfast show with a different musical theme each episode.
Shannon Cassidy
A spotlight on New Zealand music and musicians with loads of local content and information. Hosted by Shannon Cassidy.
John Scott
John Scott returns to Fresh FM with trivia and film reviews on John’s TnR Show.
Introducing Top of the Morning, The Midnight Irish Breakfast Show, join Ciaran for all things Irish.
Ben Zaven Crane
“The Sensorium” is a two-hour auditory hallucination woven live by D.J Mojo Filter for Fresh FM. Ben Zaven Crane is a producer and performer from the U.K having recently moved to Motueka looking to find fellow space cats with whom to share these sacred sounds. Join him for an immersive psychedelic journey where music, sound design, and storytelling fuse to dissolve the limits of perception
Anne Spear
Anne Spear presents an hour of her favourite Folk Music, including classics from the past, more recent releases and some great instrumentals.
Rich McCoy
Hearth Tales invites you to bask in the warm glow of creativity. Join Rich McCoy as he listens to the tales of artists, makers, creative souls and those that love them. These luminaries share their wisdom, illuminating the path. Through their stories, we discover the power of passion, the resilience of the human spirit, and the transformative nature of art and creativity.
Mark Manson
Mark Manson talks to locals and other guests about an eclectic mix of topics and issues of interest. Plus guests also provide a selection of music they are listening to.
Youth
Francis Ching, Millie Turuu, Bailey Bright, Phoebe Olive
Motueka High School Students present Youth and Community Affairs, Interviews, and What’s On around the Tasman Region.
Penina Uhrle
Join Penina on The Jam, with interesting topics of conversation and really good music.
Alfie Langford
Kia Ora, I’m Alfie! I’m 15 years old and lucky to call the stunning Golden Bay home. Welcome to Golden Hour—the ultimate radio show on FreshFM!
I’m here to bring some fresh energy and fun to the station.
Students from Nelson College for Girls
Students from Nelson College for Girls host The Dinner Club. Music, chat and fun!
Collingwood Area School Students
Collingwood Area School students host Radio Club, with school news, information and music.
Henley News Hounds
Henley School News Hounds are a group of Senior Students from Henley Primary School reporting on topics and events happening in and around the school.
Kath Bee
Music, stories, fun facts, strange noises and MORE! Live and off-the-cuff, Kath Bee has surprises in store for everyone (even herself!).
Multicultural Youth Nelson Tasman
A Programme by and about Multi-Cultural Youth Nelson Tasman.
Health & Wellbeing
Alcoholics Anonymous
Starting Wednesday September 04, your opportunity to sit in on a local AA Meeting On Air.
Erik Roeper
Seido Karate On-Air Dojo features conversations with the remarkable individuals who have made the club a special place to learn and grow. Tune in to hear their stories and insights.
Breffni O’Rourke
Hosted by Breffni O’Rourke, this show is for you if you are likely to age, you care about someone who is aging or you are looking for a fresh perspective on your own aging.
Harold Mayaba
Join Harold Mayaba – the Lion Hugger for Real Life Stories That Change Lives
April May
April May, author and founder of April May Gems and mother of five, is passionate about sharing her stories to encourage and inspire others and to restore hearts that are in need of hope.
Dean Campbell
Dean Campbell brings a range of plant Medicine music that bridges the Spiritual realms from South America, The East, New Zealand and afar.
Sally Rees
Sally Rees from Natural Nosh offers simple solutions for a healthier lifestyle incorporating a Raw Food Diet.
Thomas Spring
Join Thomas Spring for Total Wellbeing NZ, a programme about about Health and Wellbeing
Culture
Valorie Patrick
‘Yumi Talem’ or ‘Our Voice’ is a radio program that features Vanuatu’s cultures, current affairs, and the Christian principles Vanuatu is founded on.
Fresh FM, Cultural Conversations
The Stories We Hold is a collaboration between Cultural Conversations and Fresh FM. This project would not have been possible without funding from the Lottery Community Fund, who have funded this collaboration.
Buddhika Daluwatte
On ‘New Zealand Student Life’, we begin with the real migrant journeys. From the jitters of pre-departure to finding your footing in the Kiwi landscape, join Buddhika Daluwatte as he shares the authentic stories of migrant students navigating life and education in New Zealand.
Shontell Mita
Shontell Mita, a Maori DJ/Musician presents a programme in Te Reo Maori and English highlighting predominantly Maori Women Musicians in Aotearoa.
Cultural Conversations
Tindall Foundation Stories of Otherness are first hand accounts aimed to educate and help people to speak up.
Harold Mayaba
Join Harold Mayaba – the Lion Hugger for Real Life Stories That Change Lives
Multicultural Youth Nelson Tasman
A Programme by and about Multi-Cultural Youth Nelson Tasman.
Jessica Díaz Rodríguez, Julio Díaz Rodríguez and Luz Zúñiga Vega
Jessica Díaz Rodríguez, Julio Díaz Rodríguez and Luz Zúñiga Vega host Viva LatinoAmerica! Latin American Culture, Music, Current Affairs and Interviews in Spanish.
Radio Viti Te Tauihu
Radio Viti Te Tauihu serves the people through our Vosa vaka-Viti Fijian Language and Culture on air via Fresh FM across the Top of the South Island in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Introducing Top of the Morning, The Midnight Irish Breakfast Show, join Ciaran for all things Irish.
Cultural Conversations
True stories about inspirational people who have reconstructed their lives and responded in transformational ways following huge traumatic events.
Lorraine MacIntosh
Audio postcard from Spain by ex Nelsonian Lorraine MacIntosh.
Ethics
Lindsay Wood
Climate Matters, an audio version of Lindsay Wood from Resilienz Ltd’s Climate Matters newsletter, that gives intriguing insights into climate breakdown and climate recovery.
Nelson Tasman Climate Forum
Get inspired for the 2025 Nelson Tasman Climate Action Festival with Countdown to the Climate Action Festival, a mini-series in collaboration with the Nelson Tasman Climate Forum.
Kevenergy
Solar Made Simple is predicated on the responsibilities and rights inherent in us all to take part in the conversation and not just ‘Talk the Talk ‘ but ‘Walk the Walk’.
Jan Marsh
Jan Marsh presents Spirited Conversations recorded live at Nelson’s Yaza Cafe.
GalanJAH
A BalanSING, GalanJAH selects foremost from Roots and Fruits of Sisterly Reggae, within a Global Musical Forest.
The Deadline Report – Ben Vidgen Investigates. A double shot of reality.
Harmony Aquarian
HATU is IN Da House… from My house to your house, whether you’re in the dog house, the poor house, the nut house, the murder house, Parliament House, or the House of the Rising Sun, we’ll be dealing with some of the important issues of the day.
Craig Prichard
How can we restore and revive our degraded marine environment? In this series of eight 30 minute programmes, Craig Prichard from the Cawthron Institute talks with scientists and marine professionals about the work they are doing, and how others can help around the Top of the South to mend what many regard as the watery desert in Te Tai-o-Aorere, Mohua, and the Sounds.
Zola Rose
Change-making conversations on housing for people and planet. Enabling more affordable, connected, and regenerative places to live.
April May
April May, author and founder of April May Gems and mother of five, is passionate about sharing her stories to encourage and inspire others and to restore hearts that are in need of hope.
Dean Campbell
Dean Campbell brings a range of plant Medicine music that bridges the Spiritual realms from South America, The East, New Zealand and afar.
Her Voice
Vinita Chandra
Welcome to Women’s World with Vini Chandra. Join us as we explore the diverse experiences and resilient spirits of women worldwide.
Students from Nelson College for Girls
Students from Nelson College for Girls host The Dinner Club. Music, chat and fun!
Shontell Mita
Shontell Mita, a Maori DJ/Musician presents a programme in Te Reo Maori and English highlighting predominantly Maori Women Musicians in Aotearoa.
Joanna Santa Barbara
Joanna Santa Barbara presents an Eco Postcard focusing on sustainability and the environment.
April May
April May, author and founder of April May Gems and mother of five, is passionate about sharing her stories to encourage and inspire others and to restore hearts that are in need of hope.
Zola Rose
Change-making conversations on housing for people and planet. Enabling more affordable, connected, and regenerative places to live.
Valorie Patrick
‘Yumi Talem’ or ‘Our Voice’ is a radio program that features Vanuatu’s cultures, current affairs, and the Christian principles Vanuatu is founded on.
Christin Schäffner
Christin Schäffner presents Building Bridges 101, connecting locals across the Top of the South with how local government works. Christin interview’s political and non political figures gathering Information on issues and processes.
Lorraine MacIntosh
Audio postcard from Spain by ex Nelsonian Lorraine MacIntosh.
Maria Baigent
Maria Baigent presents an hour of Musical Trinkets, written, sung and performed by Women.
Interests
John Scott
John Scott returns to Fresh FM with trivia and film reviews on John’s TnR Show.
Luke Walton
Luke Walton, registered counsellor and men’s mental health practitioner, delves into the topic of men’s mental health. Luke collaberates with professionals, and a variety of guests with lived experience, including athletes and artists. “Manawa Shoulder to Shoulder” examines effective strategies for men and youth with personal stories of empowerment.
Jan Marsh
Jan Marsh presents Spirited Conversations recorded live at Nelson’s Yaza Cafe.
Darren “Lappy” Lapwood
Darren Lapwood presents some of the best songs for speedway racing. For more speedway information head to: https://www.speedway.co.nz/
Cultural Conversations
True stories about inspirational people who have reconstructed their lives and responded in transformational ways following huge traumatic events.
Henley News Hounds
Henley School News Hounds are a group of Senior Students from Henley Primary School reporting on topics and events happening in and around the school.
Fresh FM
In this series, we meet candidates standing for local election in Nelson. Each candidate introduces themselves, shares their key priorities if elected, and highlights their point of difference.
Voting is open from 9 September to 11 October 2025. To find out more information about local elections head to: https://www.nelson.govt.nz/1your-council/elections/22025-triennial-council-election
Breffni O’Rourke
Hosted by Breffni O’Rourke, this show is for you if you are likely to age, you care about someone who is aging or you are looking for a fresh perspective on your own aging.
Joanna Santa Barbara
Joanna Santa Barbara presents an Eco Postcard focusing on sustainability and the environment.
Fresh FM
At Fresh FM, we’re incredibly grateful for the support of local businesses that help keep community voices on the air. Their generosity enables us to share diverse stories, music, and conversations that make up the rich fabric of Te Tauihu. In this series, we meet the passionate people behind these businesses—learning about their journeys, their connection to our community, and why they choose to support Fresh FM.
Interested in being a sponsor? Check out more about it here.
Jessica Díaz Rodríguez, Julio Díaz Rodríguez and Luz Zúñiga Vega
Jessica Díaz Rodríguez, Julio Díaz Rodríguez and Luz Zúñiga Vega host Viva LatinoAmerica! Latin American Culture, Music, Current Affairs and Interviews in Spanish.