Radio in New Zealand#Student Radio Network

{{More citations needed|date=July 2021}}

{{Location map+ |New Zealand |width=200 |float=right |caption=Radio stations in 1927 |places=

{{Location map~ |New Zealand |lat_deg=-36.8580956 |lon_deg=174.7597041 |label=1YA
1YB
1ZQ}}

{{Location map~ |New Zealand |lat_deg=-41.2817439 |lon_deg=174.7756905 |label=2YA}}

{{Location map~ |New Zealand |lat_deg=-40.3532463 |lon_deg=175.6101834 |label=2ZF |position=top}}

{{Location map~ |New Zealand |lat_deg=-38.6639995 |lon_deg=178.0201575 |label=2ZM |position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |New Zealand |lat_deg=-43.5298241 |lon_deg=172.6483386 |label=3YA |position=right}}

{{Location map~ |New Zealand |lat_deg=-43.5354180 |lon_deg=172.6382850 |label=3ZC |position=left}}

{{Location map~ |New Zealand |lat_deg=-45.8706312 |lon_deg=170.4951220 |label=4YA |position=left}}

{{Location map~ |New Zealand |lat_deg=-45.8771440 |lon_deg=170.4981313 |label=4ZB |position=top}}

{{Location map~ |New Zealand |lat_deg=-45.9010527 |lon_deg=170.4881623 |label=4ZL |position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |New Zealand |lat_deg=-45.8748436 |lon_deg=170.5012648 |label=4ZM |position=right}}

}}

Professor Robert Jack made the first broadcast in New Zealand from the University of Otago physics department on 17 November 1921.{{cite web|url=http://www.odt.co.nz/lifestyle/magazine/21143/dashing-heroes-a-harbour-crossing|title=Dashing heroes of a harbour crossing|date=6 September 2008|work=Otago Daily Times|access-date=20 September 2008}} The first radio station, Radio Dunedin, began broadcasting on 4 October 1922, but it was only in 1925 that the Radio Broadcasting Company (RBC) began broadcasts throughout New Zealand.

{{Infobox|title = Call signs 1923–1988
Number – Letter – Letter

|label1 = Number

|data1 = 1: Northland – Bay of Plenty
2: Taranaki – Marlborough
3: Canterbury – West Coast
4: Otago – Southland

|label2 = Letters

|data2 = X_: private station
YA: mixed format / National
YC: fine music / Concert
Z_: public, commercial

}}Auckland Radio Service started broadcasting at 7:45pm on 13 April 1923{{Cite web |date=13 April 1923 |title=RADIO BROADCASTING. New Zealand Herald |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19230413.2.112 |access-date=2023-10-03 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} and 1YA was soon being heard on 4 evenings a week as far away as Dunedin.{{Cite web |date=17 April 1923 |title=RADIO NOTES Dominion |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19230417.2.91 |access-date=2023-10-03 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} The government facilitated the creation of RBC and gave it a 5-year contract.{{Cite web |title=Annual Report of the Post and Telegraph Department for the Year 1924-25 |url=https://atojs.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/atojs?a=d&d=AJHR1925-I.1.2540 |access-date=2023-10-03 |website=atojs.natlib.govt.nz}} Auckland Radio was then taken over by the Radio Broadcasting Company of New Zealand on 20 November 1925.{{Cite web |date=20 November 1925 |title=THE MAGIC SPARK. Auckland Star |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19251120.2.121 |access-date=2023-10-03 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} A new studio, with a more powerful transmitter and {{Convert|204|ft|abbr=on}} mast,{{Cite web |date=22 July 1926 |title=The New Zealand Broadcasting Company's studio in France Street, Newton, is now completed. Auckland Star |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19260722.2.115.2 |access-date=2023-10-03 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} opened on 9 August 1926 in Newton and could be heard in Rarotonga.{{Cite web |date=9 August 1926 |title=AUCKLAND ON THE AIR. Auckland Star |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19260809.2.83 |access-date=2023-10-03 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} It cost about £8,500{{Cite web |date=24 June 1927 |title=BROADCASTING. Press |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19270624.2.83 |access-date=2023-10-03 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} and used a 500W International Western Electric Company transmitter, able to reach most of the country.{{Cite web |date=28 May 1926 |title=WIRELESS BROADCAST. New Zealand Herald |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19260528.2.88 |access-date=2023-10-05 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} RBC's similar 3YA in Christchurch started broadcasting on 1 September 1926.{{Cite web |date=2 September 1926 |title=3YA Press |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19260902.2.13 |access-date=2023-10-03 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} Its 2YA Wellington studio was officially opened on 16 July 1927.{{Cite web |date=18 July 1927 |title=New Radio Station on the Air. Dominion |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19270718.2.123 |access-date=2023-10-03 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} Listenership rose rapidly, from 3,588 licences in 1926 to 18,162 in 1927.{{Cite web |last=Pauling |first=Brian |date=22 Oct 2014 |title=Radio licences, 1924–71 |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/interactive/42791/radio-licences-1924-71 |access-date=4 October 2023 |website=Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand }}

In addition to those stations, in 1923 there were also Auckland stations 1AA (C.N. Edwards), 1AB (V.J. Penny), 1AC (L.S. Spackman), 1AH (Hartle & Gray), 1AM (Hamilton Amateur Radio Club), 2YA (then owned by Wilkins & Field, Nelson), 2AB (D. Wilkinson, Motueka), Gisborne had 2AD (P.R. Stevens), 2AE (R.J. Patty), 2AF (W.J. Sinclair), 2AG (I.H. O'Meara), a 2AG station (L.K. Ewen) was also in Whanganui, as was 2AH (Whanganui Amateur Wireless Club), 2AI in Wellington (W.L. Harrison), 2AJ in Stratford (Bransgrove), 2AK (L. Rawson, Hāwera), 2AP (P. Collier, Brooklyn) 2YK (Dominion Radio, Wellington), 2XA (Experimental Station, Wellington), Christchurch stations 3AA (R.J. Orbell), 3AB (F. Vincent), 3AC (Radio Society), 3AF (L.F. Ball), Greymouth 3AD (R.G.F. Blake), 4AA (F.D. Bell, Palmerston), 4AC (R.E. Robinson, Dunedin), 4AD (A.E. Jordan, Invercargill), 4YA was then owned by British Electric Supply and, with 4YO (Radio Supply Company), also in Dunedin, and 1YA (then Auckland Radio Service) had the only three 500 watt transmitters in the country.{{Cite web |date=8 October 1923 |title=Radio Notes. Waikato Times |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19231008.2.6 |access-date=2023-10-05 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} Further stations in 1926 were 1YC (N.C. Shepherd, Whangārei), 1YD (L.R. Keith, Auckland) and 2YL (B. C. Spackman, Napier).{{Cite web |date=13 April 1926 |title=RADIO TOPICS. New Zealand Herald |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19260413.2.23 |access-date=2023-10-05 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}

In 1930, station 1ZR began operating from the Queen Street premises of Lewis Eady Limited in Auckland. Pioneer broadcasters included Aunt Daisy, Dudley Wrathall and Rod Talbot. A "radio church", the 'Friendly Road', was run by 'Uncle Tom' Garland and the Reverend Colin Scrimgeour.{{DNZB|title=Lewis Alfred Eady|first= Fay|last= Hercock|id=4e1|access-date=7 October 2017}}

In 1932, RBC's assets were acquired by the government, which established the New Zealand Broadcasting Board (NZBB).[http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/hist_act/ba193121gv1931n39194/ Broadcasting Act 1931 (21 Geo V 1931 No 39)] This would later be replaced by the New Zealand National Broadcasting Service (NBS) and the National Commercial Broadcasting Service (NCBS).[http://nzlii.org/nz/legis/hist_act/ba19361ev1936n15223/ Broadcasting Act 1936 (1 Edw VIII 1936 No 15)] In the 1950s, these merged to become the New Zealand Broadcasting Service (NZBS), a government department. In 1962, this gave way to the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation (NZBC),[http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/hist_act/bca19611961n117282/ Broadcasting Corporation Act 1961 (1961 No 117)] an independent public body modelled on the BBC in the UK.

Until the 1980s, stations used a series of New Zealand call signs, consisting of a single digit and two letters (see right). In addition to YA National programme stations, YC Concert programme stations and a limited number of privately owned X stations, several stations were operated commercially by the government. In each region, the largest city was assigned a ZB station (1ZB Auckland, 2ZB Wellington, 3ZB Christchurch and 4ZB Dunedin) and a ZM music station (1ZM Auckland, 2ZM Wellington and 3ZM Christchurch). The Newstalk ZB and ZM brands continue to be used by NZME (formerly The Radio Network). The second largest city was assigned a ZA station: 1ZA in Taupō, 2ZA in Palmerston North, 3ZA in Greymouth and 4ZA in Invercargill. In other towns and cities the final letter was assigned from the town or city name such as 4ZG in Gore and 1ZH in Hamilton. These ZA and other stations, also now owned by NZME, were rebranded as Classic Hits and rebranded again in 2014 as The Hits. 1YA, 2YK, 3AQ, 4YA were the first stations operating in the country's four main cities, and 5ZB was a mobile radio station broadcast in railway carriages during the 1940s.{{cite web |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/popular/treaty/events-1990s |title=Centenary Celebrations |publisher=Radio NZ |access-date=19 August 2011 |archive-date=10 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710044058/http://www.radionz.co.nz/popular/treaty/events-1990s |url-status=dead }}

As part of the Geneva Frequency Plan of 1975, the country switched from 10 kHz to 9 kHz channel spacing on the AM band on 23 November 1978.{{Cite news |date=22 November 1978 |title=General amendment to radio frequencies |pages=21 |work=The Press |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19781122.2.131}}

The Government deregulated the broadcasting market in 1989, and the number of private stations grew exponentially as a result. Most were locally owned and operated, but eventually became part of the Mediaworks group of stations, and by 2004 the majority of former privately owned stations had been rebranded (see below) and owned by the one company.

File:Countryradio 88.7 FM On Air Computer.jpg

New Zealand's original FM broadcasting allocation, until 1986 was 89.0 to 94.0 MHz, and then from 1986, until 2000 was 89.0 to 100.0 MHz. Meanwhile, the segments of the band not used for FM broadcasting, such as the band above 100 MHz had been had been allocated to land-based AM mobile radio-telephone users (taxis, fire and others), an allocation that dates back to the late 1950s. New Zealand's FM frequency allocation issue was not fixed until the late 1990s, after those users had been progressively reassigned channels elsewhere, when the band was expanded to the full 20 MHz. New Zealand now uses the standard global allocation of 87.5–108 MHz for FM. Today, full-power FM stations use frequencies between 88.6 MHz and 106.5 MHz, although the band between 101.8 MHz and 103.3 MHz is allocated to future government, Maori and limited short term broadcasting, it is currently unused (as of February 2024). Low-power FM stations use frequencies from 87.6 MHz to 88.3 MHz and from 106.7 MHz to 107.7 MHz. New Zealand permits Radio Data System subcarriers, Radio NZ National uses RDS for its FM network with AF (Alternative Frequency) enabled, commercial radio use of RDS for station identification and program information is widespread.

The first station to broadcast on FM in New Zealand was a temporary station in Whakatāne called FM 90.7. The station ran from 5 January 1982 until 31 January 1982. The first permanent station in New Zealand to broadcast on FM was Magic 91FM in Auckland broadcasting on 91.0FM followed by 89 Stereo FM broadcasting on 89.4FM. Both stations are no longer in operation; Magic 91 is the local Auckland frequency for ZM and 89 Stereo FM today broadcasts a simulcasted FM version of Newstalk ZB. Radio New Zealand started broadcasting on FM in the early 1980s and most networks now broadcast on FM.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkTI_MMiPEQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/bkTI_MMiPEQ |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=TVNZ FM Comes to NZ |publisher=YouTube |date=1 March 2007 |access-date=19 August 2011}}{{cbignore}} On 22 February 1982, Victoria University of Wellington's student station Radio Active became the first station in Wellington to legally broadcast on FM.

{{redirect|Kiwi Radio}}

From 1966, Radio Hauraki broadcast from the MV Tiri that was moored in international waters near Auckland, and in 1968 from the MV Tiri II. This was the only ship-based pirate station to ever broadcast in the Southern Hemisphere which it did for 1,111 days, although it was subsequently discovered that the ship had always been moored in the New Zealand territorial waters off the Hauraki Gulf.[http://www.theage.com.au/national/recalling-pirates-of-the-radio-waves-20090404-9sk0.html?page=-1 Recalling pirates of the radio waves] 5 April 2009

In 1970 it was granted a licence to broadcast from land and a successor company still broadcasts to the Auckland market under the Radio Hauraki brand and is networked nationwide. In 1972, Radio Bosom broadcast briefly until Post Office inspectors found and seized the transmitter which was concealed in a maintenance tunnel under a University of Auckland building.[http://www.ingenio.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/for/alumni/news/ingenio/archive/a06/regular/5.cfm Tess Redgrave charts the rise of 95bFM] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207073005/http://www.ingenio.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/for/alumni/news/ingenio/archive/a06/regular/5.cfm |date=7 December 2008 }} Retrieved on 2008-07-03 Now known as 95bFM, the station broadcasts legally from the University of Auckland student union building.

Kiwi Radio began broadcasting as 4YZW on 1977, and as WKNZ on the medium wave band in 1978. On 25 March 1980 they launched a pirate Radio Freedom broadcast on both shortwave and FM. In 1983, the name was changed to Kiwi Radio, due to not wanting to be confused with the many other stations named Radio Freedom. Kiwi Radio was known to relay other pirates, such as some from Australia, before it ceased broadcasting in 1997. In 2013, Radio Totse began broadcasting on shortwave to North America on 6.925 MHz.{{cite web |url=http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,12052.0.html |title = Radio Totse 6925 09:57z-10:40z 08-06-13}}

Radio New Zealand is a New Zealand's state-owned national public service radio broadcasting service. It was formed in 1925, and took on its modern form under the Radio New Zealand Act 1995. The broadcaster is bound by the Charter and Operating Principles included in the Act, which is reviewed by the New Zealand Parliament every five years and was last amended in 2004. The broadcaster is required to provoke debate and critical thought, reflect New Zealand and Māori cultural diversity, cater for varied ages and interests, promote music and drama and create a sense of national identity. It is also a Civil Defence broadcaster.[http://www.legislation.govt.nz/libraries/contents/om_isapi.dll?clientID=2457045304&infobase=pal_statutes.nfo&record={6CCA2196}&hitsperheading=on&softpage=DOC Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 (2002 No 30)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717080212/http://www.legislation.govt.nz/libraries/contents/om_isapi.dll?clientID=2457045304&infobase=pal_statutes.nfo&record=%7B6CCA2196%7D&hitsperheading=on&softpage=DOC |date=17 July 2012 }}[http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1995/0052/latest/DLM368575.html?search=ta_act_R_ac%40ainf%40anif_an%40bn%40rn_25_a&p=1# Radio New Zealand Act 1995 (1995 No 52)]

Radio New Zealand National, formerly National Radio, is Radio New Zealand's general public service broadcaster. It broadcasts flagship news programmes like Morning Report, Midday Report and Checkpoint, alongside morning show Nine to Noon, afternoon show The Panel and a range of interviews and magazine programmes. Radio New Zealand Concert is FM radio network broadcasting classical, jazz, and rock music and regular news updates. The playlist is among the most diverse and eclectic of the world's state run classical music networks.{{cite web |title=Radio New Zealand About Us |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/about/audience-research |date=2011-11-28}}{{cite web|title=Radio New Zealand Tops Ratings for 2012|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/media/48|publisher=Radio New Zealand }} Other services offered by Radio New Zealand include the Radio New Zealand International Pacific shortwave service, the AM Network Parliamentary broadcaster and The Wireless youth website.{{Cn|date=July 2021}}

File:IwiMap Radio.png

Te Whakaruruhau o Ngā Reo Irirangi Māori is a Māori radio network of bilingual English and Māori language radio stations serving local Māori iwi through local frequencies and online streaming. The individual stations are all funded by and accountable to Te Māngai Pāho.{{cite web|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/227665/iwi-radio-happy-with-jackson's-governance-role|title=Iwi radio happy with Jackson's governance role|date=14 November 2013 |publisher=Radio New Zealand|access-date=25 October 2014}} They broadcast national and local news coverage, music, educational programming, comedy, drama and programmes that teach the Māori language, with local personalities, community shows and shared network programmes.{{cite web|url=http://www.irirangi.net/roopu-tautoko/history/whakaaro-ake.aspx|title=A brief history of Māori radio broadcasting |publisher=Te Whakaruruhau o Nga Reo Irirangi Māori|access-date=25 October 2014}}[http://www.tmp.govt.nz/iwi-radio-stations TMP Radio] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20141007151341/http://www.tmp.govt.nz/iwi-radio-stations |date=7 October 2014 }}

The Pacific Media Network is a pan-Pasifika national broadcasting group owned and operated by the National Pacific Radio Trust and funded by New Zealand on Air. It has a legislative role of serving Pacific peoples and communities in English and ten Pacific languages, in a way that shapes the country's national identity.{{Cite web|title=Statement of Intent|url=http://www.niufm.com/system/files/pacific-media-network/000/020/800/NPRT_Statement_of_Intent_2014-2018_Statement_of_Performance_2015.original.pdf|publisher=National Pacific Radio Trust|access-date=7 October 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.national.org.nz/news/news/media-releases/detail/2011/03/22/new-chair-for-national-pacific-radio-trust-board|title=New chair for the National Pacific Radio Trust|publisher=New Zealand National Party}} It also aims to "empower, encourage and nurture Pacific cultural identity and economic prosperity in New Zealand, to celebrate the Pacific spirit".{{Cite web|title=About us|url=http://www.radio531pi.com/radio531pi/pacific-media-network|publisher=Pacific Media Network|access-date=7 October 2014}} Its primary source of income is a $3.25 million annual grant from the Government. Pacific Media includes the nationwide Niu FM radio network set up in 2002, the Auckland-based Radio 531pi station launched in 1993, and the independent Pacific Radio News service.{{Cn|date=July 2021}}

The Association of Community Access Broadcasters represents the twelve community radio stations set-up between 1981 and 2010 which have received government funding since 1989. They broadcast community programming and provide facilities, training and on-air time for individuals and community groups to produce programming. The stations are also required to represent particular religions, cultures, languages, ages and sexualities.{{cite web |url=http://www.acab.org.nz/index.php |title=Association of Community Access Broadcasters, Aotearoa New Zealand |publisher=Acab.org.nz |access-date=2010-06-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100602015652/http://www.acab.org.nz/index.php |archive-date=2 June 2010 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}{{cite web|url=http://www.nzonair.govt.nz/about-nz-on-air/ |title=About NZ On Air |publisher=NZ On Air |access-date=2014-10-14}} There are currently local access stations in Auckland, Waikato, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu, Wairarapa, Kapiti, Wellington, Nelson, Canterbury, Otago and Southland.{{cite web|url=http://www.nzonair.govt.nz/media/7127/access%20radio%20and%20regional%20tv%20consultation%20paper.pdf |title=Consultation paper for Community Access Radio and Regional Television funding – April 2008 |publisher=NZ On Air |access-date=2010-06-06| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100525093855/http://www.nzonair.govt.nz/media/7127/access%20radio%20and%20regional%20tv%20consultation%20paper.pdf| archive-date= 25 May 2010 }}

The Student Radio Network (known as bNet between 1998 and 2009) is a loose grouping of the current and former student radio stations. These radio stations broadcast local independent news and current affairs, and have provided a platform for new or independent New Zealand artists. The network has co-operated on advertising sales, collaborated on ideas and shared original programming. Some stations are run by student associations while others are owned by independent non-profit trusts. The 2011 Canterbury earthquake and the introduction of voluntary student membership have raised fresh concerns about the future of student broadcasting, but the role of the stations continues to be recognised by New Zealand on Air and the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.{{Cite web|title=Cultural industries|url=http://www.mch.govt.nz/what-we-do/cultural-sector-overviews/cultural-policy-new-zealand/5-cultural-industries|publisher=New Zealand Government|access-date=7 October 2014}}{{Cite web|title=Student radio|url=http://www.nzmusician.co.nz/index.php/ps_pagename/article/pi_articleid/3106|publisher=NZ Musician|access-date=7 October 2014}}

The network began as a grouping of university student radio stations in major centres, and for a while operated as a commercial network of student union stations and former student union stations in six markets. In 1986 member station Radio One launched the Rad-One Card, a low-cost discount and loyalty card with on-air competitions, to raise funds. Similar schemes have now been launched by other stations, such as the Active card by Radio Active and the bCard by bFM and Bank of New Zealand. It adopted the name bNet for over a decade, using the brand of Auckland member station bFM, and held the bNet NZ Music Awards between 1998 and 2007 to promote the role the stations played in fostering New Zealand music across genres. However, the group agreed to change its name back to Student Radio Network at a meeting in 2009, to reflect the broader range of student radio brands. The stations continue to provide a spotlight for local bands, having previously helped promote Fat Freddys Drop, Kora, Jordan Reyne, Dimmer, Jet Jaguar, Shocking Pinks, The Enright House and some underground and electronica acts.{{Cn|date=July 2021}}

In 1986 the Weird Culture, Weird Custom compilation was released with twelve tracks on the album, two chosen by competition by each of the six member stations.{{cite web | url=http://kiwitapes.blogspot.co.nz/2007/10/various-artists-weird-culture-weird.html | title=Various Artists – Weird Culture, Weird Custom. New Zealand National Student Radio 1986 | work=Kiwi Tapes blog | date=15 October 2007 | access-date=24 April 2015}} Artists included Jean-Paul Sartre Experience, Putty in Her Hands, and Cassandra's Ears. It was distributed by Jayrem Records.{{cite web | url=http://funeralsandsnakes.net/2011/09/06/vinyl-vault-%E2%80%93-%E2%80%9Cnz-music%E2%80%9D/ | title=Vinyl Vault – "NZ Music" | work=Funerals & Snakes | access-date=24 April 2015 | author=Slevin, Dan}}{{Discogs release|1833199|Various – Weird Culture Weird Custom}} Freak The Sheep Vol. 2 was another similar compilation album released by Flying Nun Records in 1992.{{Cn|date=July 2021}}

{{More citations needed|section|date=July 2021}}

{{Advert section|date=August 2024}}

The Ski FM Network is New Zealand's largest independent CHR Pop/Top 40 radio network, wholly privately owned and operated.

From studios in Taupo and operations/offices in Auckland.

Iain Stables (ex ZM/Edge) and Danielle Jones(ex Beach FM and MWorks/MoreFm) own the majority of this company and have some media holdings too in Western Australia.

Whanganui on 93.6 FM, Ohakune 106.2 FM, Ruapehu south/Turoa 91.8, National Park/Whakapapa 105.4, Rotorua 90.0 FM, Taihape Mangaweka 90.0 FM, Taumarunui 91.1, Taupo and Turangi 1224 AM /87.8 FM, and online via Tune-In, iHeart Radio and www.skifmnetwork.co.nz.

Originally established in the early 80s as a niche market platform, the brand has seen three owners over the years and since 2012 the current owners have solidified and expanded the business.

The Ski Brand has a regional coverage model across multiple frequencies which includes a population footprint of 135,772 plus the Summer and Winter visitor population spikes, it allows their advertisers to buy at regional rates and receive metropolitan origin visitor/F.I.T audiences. Currently, with no need for individual breakouts agencies/ advertisers find the return on investment for full network placement works exceptionally well and great value for campaign spend due to Ski's reach.

New Zealand Media and Entertainment is one of New Zealand's largest radio companies. It was formed in 2014 through the formal merger of The Radio Network and the New Zealand assets of APN News & Media, which includes magazines and newspapers like The New Zealand Herald.{{Cite web|title=APN to rebrand as NZME.|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11330805|work=The New Zealand Herald | date=24 September 2014 |access-date=24 September 2014}} The Radio Network, in turn, began when the commercial radio activities of Radio New Zealand were sold-off in 1996, putting the Sports Roundup service and the Newstalk ZB, Classic Hits and ZM networks into entirely private ownership.

The company now runs talk radio network Newstalk ZB and sports radio network Radio Sport alongside music networks Radio Hauraki, Coast, Flava, The Hits and Mix. Privately owned Gore station Hokonui Gold is operated by NZME under a long-term lease contract.

MediaWorks New Zealand operates ten radio brands alongside its television brands, TV3 and FOUR. It was formed in 2004 when CanWest Global Communications combined television company TV3 Network Services and radio company RadioWorks, to sell-down its shares in the company on the NZSX and sell its remaining stake to Ironbridge Capital.{{cite web |url=http://www.mediaworks.co.nz/Default.aspx?tabid=38 |title = MediaWorks Corporate}} MediaWorks has continued to face ongoing financial difficulties, requiring a $43 million loan from the Government in 2011 before briefly going into receivership in 2013.{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10717908 |title=Govt warned on media deal |date=8 April 2011 |work=The New Zealand Herald |access-date=22 October 2011}}{{cite news| url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10891045 | work=The New Zealand Herald | title=MediaWorks in receivership – Business – NZ Herald News | date=17 June 2013}} Since Mark Weldon took charge of the company in August 2014, it has outlined plans for greater integration between radio and television.{{cite news|title=Mark Weldon named MediaWorks new boss|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11304197|date=5 August 2014|access-date=24 August 2014|work=The New Zealand Herald}} This includes the planned introduction of a combined news service, NewsHub, in 2016.{{cite news | url=https://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/mediaworks-reveals-new-multi-platform-news-service-2015103016 | title=MediaWorks reveals new multi-platform news service | work=3 News | date=30 October 2015 | access-date=8 November 2015 | author=}}

Since its inception in 2004, MediaWorks has relaunched local heritage stations to its adult contemporary More FM and easy listening The Breeze brands, reducing or removing local programming. Its other music brands include The Edge, The Rock and The Sound. It has rolled out new talk radio network Radio Live and local music station Kiwi FM, converted Radio Pacific to LiveSport, and purchased brands Mai FM and George FM. MediaWorks affiliates include Times FM in Orewa, Coromandel FM on the Coromandel Peninsula, Radio Dunedin in Otago and Port FM in Timaru.

Rhema Media is the country's largest Christian media organisation, and a major New Zealand radio company. Christchurch evangelist Richard Berry first proposed Radio Rhema in the 1960s, and it began permanently broadcasting in 1976. Rhema Media is the founding organisation of United Christian Broadcasters and provides the model of broadcasting for member organisations in other countries. For example, Australia's Rhema FM is modelled on New Zealand's Rhema.

The organisation is predominantly funded by donations, and operates young-oriented Life FM, family-oriented Rhema and Star for older listeners. The future of some of its networks was brought into question in 2010, when the Government required Rhema Media to raise 6.4 million dollars to renew its commercial radio frequencies for the following two decades.{{Cite web|title=Christian Radio Praying for Money Miracle|url=http://www.newswire.co.nz/2010/09/radio-rhema/|publisher=Newswire|access-date=7 October 2014}}

Broadcasting to Marlborough, Nelson, Whanganui, Taihape, Timaru, Oamaru, Ashburton, Alexandra and Cromwell. The station does not use DJs, instead plays music with short ad-libbed commercials.{{cite web |url=http://www.brianfm.com/ |title = Brian FM - Playing what we feel like - New Zealand Radio Station}}

File:Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook.jpg.]]

The Wolf was a short-lived radio network based at Lake Tekapo in South Canterbury. The station was independently owned from its outset in 2001, and broadcast to rural areas where in some cases the larger network stations did not broadcast or operate local stations. The network started at a time when many New Zealand stations had been taken over by New Zealand's two largest radio companies The Radio Network and MediaWorks New Zealand or replaced with a network product based from one of the main centres, particularly Auckland. Due to funding issues, it went off the air permanently in 2003.

The network broadcasts on 100.6 FM in several centres, including Temuka, Blenheim, Kaikōura, Methven, Waimate, Oamaru, Alexandra, Gore, Mount Cook Village, Reefton, Geraldine, Twizel, Fairlie, Murchison, Timaru, Westport, Hanmer Springs and Karamea. It also broadcast on 91.9 FM in Hokitika, 97.8 FM in Lake Tekapo, 99.0 FM in Kāpiti Coast, 105.4 FM in Auckland and 1593 AM in Christchurch. The Wolf was available nationwide on the Sky Television digital service.[http://www.worldfm.co.nz/radiodx.com/DXTimes/2001/DXT-2001-08.pdf New Zealand DX Times] August 2001

Low power broadcasting licences in New Zealand are issued by Radio Spectrum Management and managed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. In many cases, they provide community groups with easy access to broadcasting. Any resident is allowed a free licence at a maximum of 1 watt EIRP in the FM guardbands from 87.6 to 88.3 and from 106.7 to 107.7 MHz under a General User Radio licence (GURL). Some frequency restrictions apply to areas under the flight paths into Auckland Airport and Wellington Airport to minimise interference with the airports' instrument landing systems (which operate on 109.9 MHz and 110.3 MHz). Prior to June 2010, the lower band was located between 88.1 and 88.8 and a maximum of 500 mW EIRP allowed. Broadcasters on these frequencies are required to cease operations if they interfere with other, licensed broadcasters and have no protection from interference from other licensed or unlicensed broadcasters. Contact details must also be broadcast every hour.

One licensee may operate two transmitters anywhere (close together), but a third transmitter must be at least 25 km away from at least one of the first two transmitters.[http://www.rsm.govt.nz/cms/licensees/types-of-licence/general-user-licences/low-power-fm-broadcasting] Radiocommunications Regulations (General User Licence for Low Power FM Broadcasting) Notice 2010 Radio Inspectors regularly monitor and make random unannounced visits to broadcasters, and will impose fines for violations of the regulations. New broadcasters are also subject to an initial compulsory inspection. The high cost of frequencies in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch makes low-power broadcasting particularly popular in these markets.

{{Infobox|title = Radio stations by region

|data1 =

Image:Regions_of_NZ_Numbered.svg|Regions of New Zealand

poly 190 55 177 64 150 27 153 21 138 4 152 2 151 10 157 16 183 25 190 46 186 49 Northland

poly 190 55 177 65 190 90 206 85 204 73 195 73 197 60 Auckland

rect 148 67 160 82 Auckland

poly 214 64 214 56 209 51 199 56 201 61 Auckland

poly 206 85 190 90 193 106 188 136 195 138 211 127 211 122 215 134 213 144 217 144 217 146 209 150 209 156 220 150 220 146 229 142 231 136 236 126 222 113 222 103 218 96 222 94 221 70 207 65 210 86 Waikato

poly 223 93 217 97 222 104 222 112 235 124 235 129 231 136 232 142 235 144 237 139 243 141 256 133 255 125 274 112 274 98 258 112 229 101 Bay of Plenty

poly 273 98 274 112 255 125 255 132 270 144 272 136 282 129 283 110 287 102 281 97 Gisborne

poly 274 147 256 133 241 141 237 137 235 144 224 143 220 147 219 151 230 162 228 176 234 188 240 190 251 163 247 162 247 154 258 147 269 147 269 154 Hawke's Bay

poly 194 137 188 136 184 143 178 143 168 150 168 157 175 163 181 163 191 172 199 166 199 159 194 156 191 148 Taranaki

poly 212 124 211 128 195 138 191 148 199 160 198 166 193 172 203 180 204 188 202 198 205 200 215 192 213 198 219 201 229 198 231 202 240 190 233 188 227 176 229 163 224 159 223 153 219 151 209 156 209 150 217 146 217 143 212 143 217 130 Manawatū-Whanganui

poly 231 201 229 198 219 201 212 194 204 199 201 199 189 218 197 223 204 222 204 229 223 218 Wellington

poly 156 218 137 246 130 230 141 223 144 209 138 192 145 189 143 196 150 198 Tasman

rect 114 169 135 186 Tasman

rect 165 173 184 190 Nelson

poly 171 194 166 197 165 206 156 216 142 239 153 251 167 233 175 233 180 227 173 217 182 207 172 201 Marlborough

rect 180 239 201 256 Marlborough

poly 136 192 143 210 140 224 129 229 137 246 123 261 76 301 61 301 54 305 53 312 37 311 48 301 55 301 92 270 109 252 113 228 125 221 127 201 West Coast

rect 65 241 86 259 West Coast

poly 176 233 167 233 152 251 142 240 123 261 76 301 73 319 69 319 69 325 83 325 86 332 92 331 94 338 99 330 110 331 112 311 145 294 154 296 155 289 152 286 147 286 147 272 158 266 Canterbury

poly 75 301 61 300 54 304 53 311 42 312 41 335 45 345 58 350 63 345 66 347 61 358 66 382 71 388 82 383 94 364 102 363 104 361 100 357 105 349 111 330 98 331 95 338 92 338 92 331 85 331 82 323 69 324 69 319 73 318 Otago

poly 42 312 37 312 12 341 3 359 2 369 8 376 24 378 28 375 32 377 32 381 44 382 43 386 48 390 57 387 64 391 70 388 65 382 61 358 66 347 62 343 58 350 45 345 41 335 43 325 Southland

poly 30 394 34 398 25 412 34 412 47 405 47 398 40 391 Southland

desc bottom-left

|data2 =

Northland – Auckland – Waikato – Bay of Plenty – Gisborne – Hawke's Bay – Taranaki – Manawatū-Whanganui – Wellington – Tasman – Nelson – Marlborough – West Coast – Canterbury – Otago – Southland

}}

Radio stations in New Zealand include some network stations and a number of predominantly low-power stations that operate in a single market. Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch are the largest commercial radio markets, surveyed four times a year by GfK New Zealand. Between 1991 and 2015, the survey was conducted by TNS New Zealand.{{cite news|title="Moving on: RBA ends its long-term relationship with TNS—UPDATED "|url=http://stoppress.co.nz/news/moving-rba-ends-its-long-term-relationship-tns|date=23 July 2015|access-date=11 January 2017}} Smaller markets like Waikato receive four surveys a year as well, but the data is an average of the past four quarters, as opposed to isolated quarterly results in the major markets.[http://www.stoppress.co.nz/blog/2014/04/radio-survey-results Radio survey results: the battle for ears continues across the radio divide] – April 2014

Radio New Zealand networks do not participate in commercial market surveys, meaning they are not included in listener numbers and are not counted in market share. However, a Nielsen Media Research survey commissioned by Radio New Zealand suggests its National and Concert stations reach a combined audience of 563,000 unique listeners. The National programme reaches 503,000, or 14 percent of the 15+ population, giving it 10.2 percent station share. The Concert programme reaches 138,000 or 4 percent of the 15+ population, with an estimated market share of 1.4 percent. Commercial radio surveys, by comparison, are based on listeners 10+.[http://www.radionz.co.nz/about/audience-research Radio New Zealand Audience Research] – 2013

Auckland is the country's largest radio market. Surveys are conducted four times a year to garner the listener habits of more than 1.2 million people who live in Auckland's urban centres. Due in part to high levels of peak hour commuter traffic congestion, 74.6 percent listen to the radio on a weekly basis. Newstalk ZB has maintained a long-running first place in the ratings under successive breakfast hosts Paul Holmes and Mike Hosking, with a 13.4 percent station share and a weekly cumulative audience of 178,000 listeners in the latest Q2-14 survey for August to September 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.radios.co.nz/radio_research/survey_area_results/Auckland/auckland.htm |title=Radios Auckland |publisher=Radios |date=3 October 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014}}

The Edge has 7.7 percent share and 169,200 listeners; ZM has 4.5 percent share and 136,900 listeners; The Breeze has 7.8 percent share and 136,200 listeners; Mai FM has 5.2 percent share and 126,200 listeners; and Coast has 7.8 percent share and 105,400 listeners. Radio Live, The Hits, The Sound, The Rock, George FM, More FM, Flava and Radio Hauraki all maintain audiences over 50,000. Radio Sport, the BBC World Service and Hindi station Radio Tarana also have audiences above 30,000.{{cite web|url=http://www.radios.co.nz/radio_research/survey_area_results/Auckland/Auckland%20Radio%20Press%20Release.doc |title=Auckland Commercial Radio Audience Measurement Survey 2/2014 |publisher=TNS Research|date=3 October 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014}}

The Wellington market covers an area of around 335,000 people, where 64.1 percent of people listen to commercial radio during the week. Despite the absence of former local breakfast duo Polly and Grant, ZM continues to lead the ratings with around 42,000 listeners each week and 6.7 percent market share.{{cite web|url=http://www.radios.co.nz/radio_research/survey_area_results/Wellington/welington.htm |title=Radios Wellington|publisher=Radios |date=3 October 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014}}

Newstalk ZB has local news and a local morning programme, has the highest market share at 14.5 percent, and has around 34,000 listeners. Long-running and predominantly local station The Breeze has 12.7 percent station share and over 38,000 listeners. The Hits and The Edge also have more than 30,000 listeners and more than 7 percent market share.{{cite web|url=http://www.radios.co.nz/radio_research/survey_area_results/Wellington/Wellington%20Radio%20Press%20Release.doc |title=Wellington Commercial Radio Audience Measurement Survey 2/2014 |publisher=TNS Research|date=3 October 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014}}

Around 1,500 people are surveyed for the Christchurch market, in which 72.8 percent of the population of 365,000 people are radio listeners. Under breakfast hosts Simon Barnett and Gary McCormick, More FM consistently leads the ratings with around 70,000 listeners. Newstalk ZB maintains the highest market share at 15.3 percent, with nearly 56,000 listeners. Its local news and morning programme provide a particular focus on the issues that have followed the 2010 Canterbury earthquake.{{cite web|url=http://www.radios.co.nz/radio_research/survey_area_results/Christchurch/christchurch.htm |title=Radios Christchurch|publisher=Radios |date=3 October 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014}}

The Breeze has 57,000 listeners and 9.9 percent station share; The Sound has 44,000 listeners and 9.1 percent station share; and The Edge, The Rock and ZM also have more than 30,000 listeners and more than 3 percent station share.{{cite web|url=http://www.radios.co.nz/radio_research/survey_area_results/Christchurch/Christchurch%20Radio%20Press%20Release.doc |title=Christchurch Commercial Radio Audience Measurement Survey 2/2014 |publisher=TNS Research|date=3 October 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014}}

The largest of New Zealand's provincial markets is Waikato, in which there are 227,000 people and 79.7 percent of people listen to the radio each week. Locally founded The Edge has the most listeners at 47,000, followed by ZM with 44,000 listeners. Partly local The Hits has 12.2 percent market share and 33,000 listeners, just ahead of locally founded The Rock with 12.1 percent market share and 32,000 listeners.{{cite web|url=http://www.radios.co.nz/radio_research/survey_area_results/Waikato/waikato.htm |title=Radios Waikato|publisher=Radios |date=3 October 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.radios.co.nz/radio_research/survey_area_results/Waikato/Waikato%20Radio%20Press%20Release.doc |title=Waikato Commercial Radio Audience Measurement Survey 2/2014 |publisher=TNS Research|date=3 October 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014}}

Three other markets also cover the upper North Island. Northland covers 112,000 people, with More FM reaching 27,000 listeners and 17.3 percent market share.{{cite web|url=http://www.radios.co.nz/radio_research/survey_area_results/Northland/northland.htm |title=Radios Northland|publisher=Radios |date=3 October 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.radios.co.nz/radio_research/survey_area_results/Northland/Northland%20Radio%20Press%20Release.doc |title=Northland Commercial Radio Audience Measurement Survey 2/2014 |publisher=TNS Research|date=3 October 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014}} Tauranga covers 136 thousand people, with Coast reaching 23,000 listeners and 15 percent market share.{{cite web|url=http://www.radios.co.nz/radio_research/survey_area_results/Tauranga/tauranga.htm |title=Radios Tauranga|publisher=Radios |date=3 October 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.radios.co.nz/radio_research/survey_area_results/Tauranga/Tauranga%20Radio%20Press%20Release.doc |title=Tauranga Commercial Radio Audience Measurement Survey 2/2014 |publisher=TNS Research|date=3 October 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014}} Only 47,000 people live in the Rotorua market, where Flava leads with 8,000 listeners and Coast has 16.6 percent market share.{{cite web|url=http://www.radios.co.nz/radio_research/survey_area_results/Rotorua/rotorua.htm |title=Radios Rotorua|publisher=Radios |date=3 October 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.radios.co.nz/radio_research/survey_area_results/Rotorua/Rotorua%20Radio%20Press%20Release.doc |title=Rotorua Commercial Radio Audience Measurement Survey 2/2014 |publisher=TNS Research|date=3 October 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014}}

In the central North Island, Taranaki includes a population of 84,000 people, with The Edge attracting 21,000 listeners and The Hits securing 13.8 percent market share.{{cite web|url=http://www.radios.co.nz/radio_research/survey_area_results/Taranaki/taranaki.htm |title=Radios Taranaki|publisher=Radio |date=3 October 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.radios.co.nz/radio_research/survey_area_results/Taranaki/Taranaki%20Radio%20Press%20Release.doc |title=Taranaki Commercial Radio Audience Measurement Survey 2/2014 |publisher=TNS Research|date=3 October 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014}} The Hawke's Bay market includes 107,000 people, with 23,000 listeners tuning into The Edge and Newstalk ZB maintaining 15.6 percent market share.{{cite web|url=http://www.radios.co.nz/radio_research/survey_area_results/Hawkes_Bay/hawkes_bay.htm |title=Radios Hawkes Bay|publisher=Radios |date=3 October 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.radios.co.nz/radio_research/survey_area_results/Hawkes_Bay/Hawkes_Bay%20Radio%20Press%20Release.doc |title=Hawkes Bay Commercial Radio Audience Measurement Survey 2/2014 |publisher=TNS Research|date=3 October 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014}} Manawatu has a radio market of 97,000, with 18 thousand listening The Edge and 15 percent of market share going to The Rock.{{cite web|url=http://www.radios.co.nz/radio_research/survey_area_results/Manawatu/manawatu.htm |title=Radios Manawatu|publisher=Radios |date=3 October 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.radios.co.nz/radio_research/survey_area_results/Manawatu/Manawatu%20Radio%20Press%20Release.doc |title=Manawatu Commercial Radio Audience Measurement Survey 2/2014 |publisher=TNS Research|date=3 October 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014}}

On the South Island, the Nelson market includes 61,000 people, with 15,000 people listening to The Edge and 15 percent of market share going to Coast.{{cite web|url=http://www.radios.co.nz/radio_research/survey_area_results/Nelson/nelson.htm |title=Radios Nelson|publisher=Radios |date=3 October 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.radios.co.nz/radio_research/survey_area_results/Nelson/Nelson%20Radio%20Press%20Release.doc |title=Nelson Commercial Radio Audience Measurement Survey 2/2014 |publisher=TNS Research|date=3 October 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014}} Dunedin includes 102,000 people, with 19,000 listening to The Edge, 16,000 listening to The Hits and Radio Dunedin maintaining a 14.8 percent market share.{{cite web|url=http://www.radios.co.nz/radio_research/survey_area_results/Duendin/dunedin.htm |title=Radios Dunedin|publisher=Radios |date=3 October 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.radios.co.nz/radio_research/survey_area_results/Dunedin/Dunedin%20Radio%20Press%20Release.doc |title=Dunedin Commercial Radio Audience Measurement Survey 2/2014 |publisher=TNS Research|date=3 October 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014}} Southland covers 68,000 people, including 14,000 listening to The Edge. Market share is heavily contested with Coast securing around 16.5 percent and The Rock securing 15 percent.{{cite web|url=http://www.radios.co.nz/radio_research/survey_area_results/Southland/southland.htm |title=Radios Southland|publisher=Radios |date=3 October 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.radios.co.nz/radio_research/survey_area_results/Southland/Southland%20Radio%20Press%20Release.doc |title=Southland Commercial Radio Audience Measurement Survey 2/2014 |publisher=TNS Research|date=3 October 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014}}

There are several radio markets that are not recognised by commercial surveys, but in which there is still competition between commercial radio stations such as Newstalk ZB. These include Tokoroa and Taupō in the Waikato and the Kāpiti Coast in Wellington. Others include Blenheim in Marlborough, Greymouth on the West Coast, Ashburton and Timaru in Canterbury, and Oamaru, Alexandra, and Queenstown in Otago.[http://www.trb.co.nz/i/Stations/ZB/zbsolo.jpg Newstalk ZB frequency map]

• List of radio stations in New Zealand
• List of New Zealand radio station callsigns
• The Platform

{{Reflist}}

{{Radio in New Zealand}}

Category:1922 establishments in New Zealand