Radio Aotearoa stands down Martel Wikeepa’s show indefinitely as broadcaster reviews standards and social media activity

Radio Aotearoa has stood down Martel Wikeepa’s ‘Shubz Says So’ show indefinitely, scrapping a planned move to a five-night-a-week evening slot, with management citing social media activity as a factor in the decision.

Aotearoa Media Ltd confirmed in a statement to media Wikeepa, known online as Shubz, had been stood down effective immediately, with no date set for Shubz Says So to return to the Radio Aotearoa Network.

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The broadcaster said the decision followed an ongoing review of broadcasting standards, social media activity and the future direction of Wikeepa’s show.

Image: Radio Aotearoa acting Chief Executive Raewyn Bhana says the decision to stand down Shubz Says So indefinitely followed recent developments and was made to protect the integrity and reputation of the network. (Supplied / Facebook)

Acting Chief Executive Raewyn Bhana said management had not made the decision lightly.

“Radio Aotearoa values the contribution of every person who gives their time, energy and personality to our network. Shubz Says So has developed its own audience and identity, and we acknowledge the work Martel Wikeepa and his team have put into the [show],” Bhana said.

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Management also had a responsibility to protect the integrity of the network’s broadcasting platforms, listeners, people associated with the station and the reputation of Radio Aotearoa.

“Following recent developments, management has determined that the appropriate course of action is to stand the show down indefinitely while we consider the future relationship between the parties.”

The move also kills off a major expansion planned for Wikeepa’s show.

Shubz Says So had been proposed to move into the 7pm to 10pm slot from Monday to Friday beginning August 31. Radio Aotearoa confirmed that change will no longer go ahead.

Management keeps details private

Radio Aotearoa has not publicly identified the specific ‘recent developments’ that triggered the stand-down, and Bhana said the company would not discuss private communications or individual matters surrounding the decision.

“We don’t believe it is appropriate to conduct internal disagreements through the media or social media,” she said.

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“We have communicated our position directly to Martel and his team. Our preference remains to deal with these matters professionally and respectfully and to protect the mana and dignity of everyone involved.”

Management remains willing to meet Wikeepa and his team to discuss the situation and determine whether there is a pathway forward.

Radio Aotearoa saying its existing programming will continue while decisions are made over the affected timeslots.

Image: Martel Wikeepa, known as Shubz, in a TikTok post promoting Heal the Nation. The tour attracted criticism and raised questions about transparency. (Supplied / TikTok / @shubzlive) Wikeepa faced earlier scrutiny

The decision comes after Wikeepa faced separate media scrutiny earlier this year over Heal the Nation, a campaign and hīkoi he publicly promoted.

There is no evidence in Radio Aotearoa’s statement that the Heal the Nation reporting caused the stand-down, and the broadcaster has not publicly linked the two matters.

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Image: Illustration used on the Heal the Nation – Iwi Whakamahu Givealittle page, where the campaign is presented as a healing movement without accompanying detail on structure or accountability. (Supplied / Screenshot courtesy of Givealittle)

thisquality published a series of investigations and commentary examining Heal the Nation’s fundraising structure, financial transparency, the sudden closure of its fundraiser and questions over where money associated with the campaign was going.

The level of publicly available financial information surrounding Heal the Nation was questioned after projected costs of at least $100,000 were outlined for expenses including travel, accommodation, fuel, livestreaming equipment and security.

The report raised questions over governance and accountability around the fundraising while not establishing criminal wrongdoing.

Video: Corina Shields in a TikTok video denying Hobson’s Pledge funded her Heal the Nation travel prior to the tour. (File video / TikTok / @shubzlive video 1 / @auntyheihei7 video 2)

Further reporting by thisquality revealed that Hobson’s Pledge had made a financial contribution towards vehicle hire for North Island travel involving Corina Shields, a figure associated with Heal the Nation.

Former Reserve Bank governor Don Brash confirmed on behalf of Hobson’s Pledge that Shields approached the organisation seeking support for travel and that a contribution was made towards vehicle hire.

Brash said Hobson’s Pledge had not sponsored, endorsed or been involved in the wider Heal the Nation campaign or hīkoi.

Video: Corina Shields (left), Martel Wikeepa, also known as Shubz (centre), and media manager Skye (right) playing loud music while travelling in the rental van, paid for by Hobson’s Pledge, to Wellington. (@auntyheihei7 / TikTok)

Wikeepa was shown travelling in the rental vehicle alongside Shields during the tour.

The campaign attracted scrutiny over its fundraising, governance and financial accountability.

Image: Leaked email from former Reserve Bank Governor Don Brash confirming Hobson’s Pledge contribution toward vehicle hire. (File image / Supplied) Waatea News examined Wikeepa

Waatea News separately scrutinised Wikeepa and the growth of online influencers within the orbit of the Heal the Nation tour.

A February Mātaki Investigate report examined how social media personalities built audiences around messages of healing before those online campaigns moved into real-world organising.

Image: The Heal the Nation Givealittle page lists projected costs totalling at least $100,000 for a nationwide tour, with broad expense categories and no independent verification or itemised breakdown explaining how the figures were calculated. (Supplied / Screenshot courtesy of Givealittle)

The report detailed the Heal the Nation hīkoi, its fundraising and the growing questions surrounding the campaign as support fractured.

Waatea reported earlier on claims made by Wikeepa during the hīkoi that he had been threatened by a person with a firearm near Rātana.

Police told Waatea at the time that no report relating to the alleged incident was received leaving no independent verification of the claim.

Image: Radio Aotearoa is owned by Aotearoa Media Ltd, split evenly between directors Raewyn Bhana (left) and Rongokino George Ngatai (right), as the network weighs its next move following Martel Wikeepa’s indefinite stand-down. (Supplied) Radio Aotearoa ownership

Radio Aotearoa is owned by Aotearoa Media Ltd. Company records show Aotearoa Media is jointly owned by Rongokino George Ngatai and Bhana, who each hold a 50 percent stake and are directors of the company.

Bhana said Radio Aotearoa’s wider community responsibilities remained the priority as management works through what happens next.

“Our responsibility is bigger than any individual [show]. We have to make decisions that are in the best interests of the network as a whole, while treating the people involved fairly and respectfully,” she said.

“We acknowledge the contribution Martel and the Shubz Says So team have made, and we hope everyone involved will allow the current process to be worked through professionally.”

Wikeepa is off Radio Aotearoa indefinitely, his planned weekday expansion has been cancelled and the future of Shubz Says So is now in the dust.

Image: George Ngatai (right), who has been seen campaigning alongside New Zealand First leader Winston Peters (left), is the party’s confirmed Papakura candidate for the 2026 general election. Peters also publicly backed a major South Auckland infrastructure announcement during the party’s Manukau campaign launch, which Ngatai welcomed. (File / New Zealand First / Facebook)

Ngatai, who has previously been publicly described by Radio Aotearoa as an owner-operator, is also New Zealand First’s confirmed candidate for Papakura at the 2026 general election.

There is no indication from the station’s statement that Ngatai’s political candidacy has any connection to the decision involving Wikeepa.

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