Levin hosts radio's popular Whānau Show bringing people together

Lindsay Henry, Tiona Cooper, Sarah de Vele and Piki Nga Onga Maunga at The Whanau Show in Levin at the weekend.

A popular travelling radio show to help people find love took Levin by storm at the weekend.

Fans travelled long distances to be part of The Whānau Show, including Jim and Jane Te Wiki from Auckland. Both widowed later in life, they were introduced to each other at a Whānau Show gathering in 2007.

Two years later they were married, and since then they had loved following The Whānau Show and travelling to its different destinations.

"We certainly didn't go looking, but we are very lucky. We are not the only ones, you know," he said.

The Whānau Show was the creation of Lindsay Henry, who took his popular radio show on the road in 2006 to rave reviews. Since then, The Whānau Show had travelled 27 times visiting different destinations throughout New Zealand.

"We decided it was time to meet the listeners, and it's just blossomed," he said.

Henry said he is amazed at the show's popularity and worldwide appeal. Since setting up a website in 2016 he has had 62 million hits and the show was streamed to 113 different countries.

He said a warehouse in Turkey streams the show to 76 people each week and "they can't understand what we are saying".

"It's an example of a genre that works. It's something we didn't contemplate. It's been a hell of a journey," he said. "It just happens."

Foxton woman Piki Nga Onga Maunga said The Whānau Show created a space where people could come together in fellowship and where strangers quickly became friends. The weekend event drew more than 500 people.

The Whānau Show was broadcast live every Friday night from 7pm and Sunday nights from 6pm from an iwi station in Gisborne, Turanga FM, on the 1161AM frequency.

Henry's first broadcast on June 6, 1995, began with limited resources.

"My entire music collection was six CDs and after one month playing the same music over and over again I don't think I had any listeners at all," he said.

"But I was happy to be on radio especially on Māori Radio and I must admit my reo at that time was very minimal. As time went on I grew in confidence, in music and in listeners and went to various reo classes."

To make a dedication on The Whānau Show, phone Lindsay on 06 868 5958, 06 868 6821 or 0800 368 872 on Friday from 7pm or Sunday from 6pm to midnight.