RNZ National

RNZ National's programming is distributed via several means. RNZ National was the first network in New Zealand to incorporate the Radio Data System in its FM signal. Most FM frequencies are 101FM state-owned public service licences and some are held by non-profit community organisations. RNZ National broadcasts its FM signal in mono, but the on-line and terrestrial Freeview HD services are available in stereo.{{cite web|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/listen/amfm |title=RNZ distribution; AM/FM frequencies, mono/stereo, RDS | publisher=Radio New Zealand |date=2020 |access-date=20 June 2020}}

File:Map of RNZ National.png

These are the RNZ-owned frequencies of RNZ National:

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• Kaitaia – Maungataniwha – 101.1 FM
• Kaikohe – Hikurangi – 101.5 FM
• Kaikohe – Ohaeawai – 981 AM
• Whangārei – Otaika – 837 AM
• Whangārei – Horokaka – 101.2 FM
• Whangārei – Parahaki – 104.4 FM
• Auckland – Henderson – 756 AM
• Auckland – Sky Tower – 101.4 FM
• Hamilton – Eureka – 1143 AM
• Hamilton – Te Aroha – 101.0 FM
• Tauranga – Paengaroa – 819 AM
• Tauranga – Kopukairua – 101.4 FM
• Tokoroa – Wiltsdown – 729 AM
• Tokoroa – Te Aroha – 101.0 FM
• Rotorua – Tihiotonga – 1188 AM
• Rotorua – Tihiotonga – 101.5 FM
• Whakatāne – Mount Edgecumbe – 101.7 FM
• Taupō – Whakaroa – 101.6 FM
• Taupō – Mountain Road – 104.8 FM
• Gisborne – Wheatstone Road – 101.3 FM
• Gisborne – Wainui – 1314 AM
• Hawke's Bay – Opapa – 630 AM
• Hawke's Bay – Kohinurākau (Mount Erin) – 101.5 FM
• New Plymouth – Mount Egmont – 101.2 FM
• Palmerston North – Wharite – 101.0 FM
• Whanganui – Mount Jowett – 101.6 FM
• Masterton – Otahoua – 101.5 FM
• Kāpiti – Forest Heights – 101.5 FM
• Wellington – Titahi Bay – 567 AM
• Wellington – Kaukau – 101.3 FM
• Wellington – Towai – 101.7 FM
• Blenheim – Wither Hills – 101.7 FM
• Nelson – Grampians – 101.6 FM
• Westport – Cape Foulwind – 1458 AM
• Greymouth – Paparoa – 101.1 FM
• Christchurch – Gebbies Pass – 675 AM
• Christchurch – Sugarloaf – 101.7 FM
• Ashburton – Gawler Downs – 101.3 FM
• Timaru – Fairview – 918 AM
• Timaru – Mount Studholme – 101.1 FM
• Wānaka – Mount Maude – 101.0 FM
• Queenstown – Peninsula Hill – 101.6 FM
• Alexandra – Obelisk – 101.5 FM
• Dunedin – Highcliff – 810 AM
• Dunedin – Highcliff – 101.4 FM
• Invercargill – Dacre – 720 AM
• Invercargill – Hedgehope – 101.2 FM

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File:Map of RNZ National relays.png

These are the community-owned stations and other broadcasting methods of RNZ National:

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• Te Kūiti – 94.0 FM
• Tākaka – Mount Burnett – 98.2 FM
• Reefton – 88.0 FM (low power)
• Lake Tekapo – Mount John – 93.4 FM
• Twizel – Mount Mary – 92.6 FM (closed May 1st 2024)
• Omarama – Cloud Hill – 97.3 FM
• Otematata – 106.7 FM (low power)
• Milford Sound – Milford Sound Hotel – 92.0 FM
• Te Anau – Ramparts Road – 101.6 FM
• In-stereo Internet Audio Streaming
• Podcasts
• iHeartRadio
• Unencrypted satellite broadcast
• Sky Television DHS encrypted satellite broadcast
• TelstraClear cable TV in Wellington
• TelstraClear cable TV in Christchurch
• Freeview television channel 50

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In September 2004, the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) upheld a complaint by Peter Ellis against RNZ National's Nine to Noon programme, ruling that an August 2003 broadcast had breached fairness and balance standards. The programme aired a pre-recorded interview with a young man and his mother, who alleged that Ellis had sexually abused the man as a child at the Christchurch Civic Crèche in 1985. While Ellis was identified by name, the interviewees remained anonymous, and the allegations were not specific. The Authority found that RNZ had failed to provide Ellis with a reasonable opportunity to respond, and that the interview was conducted in a manner that lacked appropriate scrutiny. It ordered RNZ to broadcast and publish statements summarising the decision, issue an apology, and pay $5,300 to Ellis and $5,000 to the Crown. An appeal by RNZ to the High Court was dismissed in September 2005.{{Cite web |date=2004-09-03 |title=Ellis and Radio New Zealand Ltd - 2004-115 |url=https://www.bsa.govt.nz/decisions/all-decisions/ellis-and-radio-new-zealand-ltd-2004-115/ |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=Broadcasting Standards Authority |language=en-NZ}}

In October 2006, the BSA upheld a complaint by Cabinet Minister David Benson-Pope against RNZ National's Nine to Noon programme, ruling that a May 2005 broadcast had breached fairness standards. The programme aired an interview with an anonymous former student who alleged that Benson-Pope, while a teacher at Bayfield High School in the 1980s, had bullied him and administered corporal punishment excessively. The interview followed questions raised in Parliament the day before by opposition MPs, under privilege, about Benson-Pope’s conduct as a teacher. The Authority found that RNZ had not adequately verified the credibility of the interviewee before granting anonymity and had failed to sufficiently challenge the allegations during the broadcast. Complaints about balance and accuracy were not upheld. RNZ was ordered to broadcast a summary of the decision and pay $5,000 to the complainant and $2,000 to the Crown.{{Cite web |date=2006-10-19 |title=Benson-Pope and Radio New Zealand Ltd - 2005-083 |url=https://www.bsa.govt.nz/decisions/all-decisions/benson-pope-and-radio-new-zealand-ltd-2005-083/ |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=Broadcasting Standards Authority |language=en-NZ}}

In October 2017, the BSA upheld a complaint from Trident Systems Ltd about an Insight documentary broadcast by RNZ on 12 and 13 March 2017, which explored illegal fish dumping and camera monitoring in the commercial fishing industry. The segment included comments from Greenpeace NZ’s Dr Russel Norman, who alleged that Trident’s monitoring had failed to detect illegal behaviour that another company identified, and implied this influenced a government contract decision. The BSA found that RNZ failed to give Trident a reasonable opportunity to respond, breaching the fairness standard. However, the complaint was not upheld under the accuracy or balance standards. RNZ was ordered to broadcast a statement both on-air and online, and to pay $2,000 in legal costs to the complainant.{{Cite web |date=2017-10-27 |title=Trident Systems Ltd and Radio New Zealand Ltd - 2017-044 (27 October 2017) |url=https://www.bsa.govt.nz/decisions/all-decisions/trident-systems-ltd-and-radio-new-zealand-ltd-2017-044-27-october-2017/ |access-date=2025-06-03 |website=Broadcasting Standards Authority |language=en-NZ}}

In September 2020, the BSA upheld a complaint from activist Lisa Prager about a Checkpoint report on 25 February 2020 summarising her submission at a Waitematā Local Board meeting. The report inaccurately stated that she "regretted" claiming mana whenua status during a campaign to protect trees on Ōwairaka/Mount Albert. The BSA found this misrepresented her actual statement and, combined with a board member's suggestion that her comments were "a bit racist", created an unfair and damaging portrayal. The complaint was upheld under the accuracy and fairness standards, and RNZ was ordered to pay $1,818 in legal costs to the complainant.{{Cite web |date=2020-09-28 |title=Prager and Radio New Zealand Ltd - 2020-033 (28 September 2020) |url=https://www.bsa.govt.nz/decisions/all-decisions/prager-and-radio-new-zealand-ltd-2020-033-28-september-2020/ |access-date=2025-06-03 |website=Broadcasting Standards Authority |language=en-NZ}}

In May 2023, the BSA upheld a complaint about news bulletins broadcast on 19 and 20 April 2022, which reported on the Government’s apparent delay in ending the COVID-19 managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) system. The BSA found the items breached the accuracy standard by creating the misleading impression that public health advice from November 2021 had called for MIQ to end immediately, when in fact it recommended a carefully managed transition. The BSA found that while the balance standard was not breached—due to further reporting on 20 April which conveyed the Government’s perspective—RNZ was required to issue a broadcast statement.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-01 |title=Wilberg and Radio New Zealand Ltd - 2022-071 (1 May 2023) |url=https://www.bsa.govt.nz/decisions/all-decisions/wilberg-and-radio-new-zealand-ltd-2022-071-1-may-2022/ |access-date=2025-06-03 |website=Broadcasting Standards Authority |language=en-NZ}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.rnz.co.nz/national Official page RNZ National]

{{Radio in New Zealand}}

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Category:News and talk radio stations in New Zealand

Category:1925 establishments in New Zealand