List of radio stations in Wellington

This is a list of radio stations in the Wellington Region of New Zealand.

Note: Several FM stations changed their frequency during October 2010, as broadcast licenses were renewed and spacing standardized to 0.8 MHz. AM stations were also moved in 1978 when New Zealand switched from 10 kHz frequency spacing to 9 kHz spacing.

Wellington metro radio stations

FM stations

Nearly all full-power FM stations in Wellington broadcast from the Mount Kaukau transmitter. As a general rule, frequencies in Wellington are spaced 0.8 MHz apart, starting from 89.3 MHz.

Some Hutt Valley "infill" frequencies with transmitters at Towai or Fitzherbert have been allocated to the 0.4 MHz "gap" in between other stations.

Frequency[1] Name Format Licensed Transmitter[1] Licensed kW[1] Broadcasting on frequency since Previous station(s) on frequency
88.6 FMRadio ActiveAlternative rockTinakori Hill11981 on 89FM
89.3 FMNewstalk ZBTalk radioKaukau40
90.1 FMThe HitsAdult contemporary musicKaukau
Haywards
Towai
40
0.8
0.8
1993Broadcast on 89.8FM from 1990-1995 and 90.0FM prior to 2010
1990–1991 2ZB 1991–1993 B90 FM (same station but rebranded)
1993-2014 Classic Hits 90FM (same station but rebranded)
90.9 FMZM (originally ZMFM)Contemporary hit radioKaukau
Towai
80
0.8
1985
91.7 FMThe EdgeContemporary hit radioKaukau
Haywards
80
0.8
20071990s - 1991 Fox FM renamed from Greater Wellington FM
1993–1995 The Heat 91.7FM
1995–1997 The Box 91.7FM
1997–1998 92 Hitz FM
1998 99-100 More FM (temporary simulcast)
1998–2005 Channel Z
2005–2006 Kiwi FM
2006-2007 More FM Wellington (temporary simulcast)
92.5 FMRNZ ConcertClassical musicKaukau80
93.3 FMRadio HaurakiClassic rockKaukau402010Broadcast on 93.1FM prior to 2010
93.7 FMGoldClassic hitsTowai0.801/07/2020Broadcast on 93.5FM prior to 2010
1986 - 2007 91ZM
2008 - 2012 Easy Mix
2012 - 2016: Radio Sport
2016 - 30/06/2020: Mix
94.1 FMThe BreezeEasy listeningKaukau4019931991–1993 Radio Windy/Windy FM
94.9 FMAtiawa Toa FMKaukau161990salso 100.9 FM
95.3 FMMore FMAdult contemporary musicFitzherbert12004Station broadcast on 94.7FM prior to 2010
1996-2004 Channel Z
95.7 FMCoastEasy listeningKaukau402011
96.1 FMRNZ ConcertClassical musicTowai0.8Station broadcast on 95.6FM prior to 2010
96.5 FMThe RockActive rockKaukau
Haywards
16
0.8
1999Station broadcast on 96.3FM prior to 2010
1993-1998 Pirate FM
97.3 FMThe SoundClassic rockKaukau
Haywards
16
0.8
2012Stations broadcast on 97.5FM prior to 2010
1992 2XX Kapiti
1992–1993 Cadbury Moro FM
1994-1995 The Heat 91.7FM (temporary simulcast)
1995–1997 The Quake 97.5FM
1997–1999 Solid Gold
2000–2008 The Edge
2008-2011 Solid Gold
98.1 FMLife FMContemporary Christian musicKaukau252010Station broadcast on 98.5FM prior to 2010
1995–1996 Kix FM
1996–2004 Channel Z
98.5 FMThe BreezeEasy listeningFitzherbert0.631993Station broadcast on 98.1FM prior to 2010 and relocated to Fitzherbert in 2020
1991–1993 Radio Windy/Windy FM
98.9 FMMagic[2][3]OldiesKaukau
Haywards
16
0.8
14/04/2023Station broadcast on 98.9FM from 1991-2004 and 98.7FM from 2005-2010
1991–2004 More FM
2005-2019: Radio Live
19/01/2019 - 20/03/2022: Magic Talk; 21/03/2022 - 30/03/2023: Today FM
99.7 FMMore FMAdult contemporary musicKaukau
Haywards
40
0.8
1991Station broadcast on 100.0FM prior to 2010
1990-1991 Windy FM
100.5 FMMai FMUrban contemporaryKaukau162012
100.9 FMAtiawa Toa FMFitzherbert0.82010
101.3 FMRNZ NationalKaukau8
101.7 FMRNZ NationalTowai0.8Broadcast on 104.5FM prior to 2010
103.7 FMPMN 531Kaukau8Jan 20192010-2019 Niu FM
104.1 FMPMN 531Fitzherbert0.8Jan 20192010-2019 Niu FM
104.5 FMChannel XClassic alternativeKaukau88 May 2023Stations broadcast on 99.4FM prior to 2010
2005 - 2011 Coast
2011–2013 Radio Sport
2013 - 2015 Flava
- 2019 George FM (on 106.7 LPFM)
Sept 2019 - 23/04/2023: Magic on 98.9
105.3 FMRadio TaranaKaukau211/10/20222009–2010 Hit Radio X105; 2011 - April 2022: Wellington 105.3FM[4]
106.1 FMWellington Access Radio[5]Access radioKaukau2.520172010 - 2016 Hutt Radio (previously 106.7 LPFM, now 88.3 LPFM)

AM stations

Frequency Name Format Transmitter Licensed power (kW) Broadcasting on frequency since Previous station(s) on frequency
567 AMRNZ NationalPublic radioTitahi Bay1601978previously 2YA also broadcast on 720 and 570 kHz[6] from 1927–1978
657 AMAM Network (Parliament)
and Star
Parliament Public radio
and Christian radio
Titahi Bay16020001978–1986 Concert Radio, 2YC (that also broadcast on 840[6] and 660 kHz prior to 1978)
711 AMSENZ[7]Sports radioHorokiwi1619/07/20211992–2005 Radio Pacific
2005–2007 Radio Pacific and Radio Trackside
2007–2010 BSport and Radio Trackside
2010–2015 LiveSport and Radio Trackside
2015–2020 TAB Trackside
891 AMMagic[2]OldiesHorokiwi1620151978 – 1993 Radio Windy broadcasting on 1080 kHz between 1973 and 1976 and 890 kHz between 1976 and 1978
1993 - 2015 The Breeze
972 AMRadio RhemaChristian radioHorokiwi12.51992
1035 AMNewstalk ZBTalk radioTitahi Bay6319931978–1993 2ZB (previously broadcasting on 980 kHz between 1937 and 1978)
1161 AMTe Upoko O Te IkaMāori radioTitahi Bay3219861978–1986 2ZM (previously broadcasting on 1130 kHz between 1969 and 1978 and using callsign 2YD between 1937 and 1969)
1233 AMThe BreezeEasy listeningHorokiwi12.531/03/20231990–1994 BBC World Service
1995–1996 Radio Liberty
1996–1997 BBC World Service
1997–1999 Southern Star
1999–2008 Solid Gold
2008-2019 Radio Live
19/01/2019 - 20/03/2022: Magic Talk; 21/03/2022 - 30/03/2023: Today FM
1503 AMGold SportClassic hits & Sports radioHorokiwi1601/07/20201982–1992 Radio Rhema
1997–1998 Sports Round Up
1998 - 30/03/2020 Radio Sport
30/03 - 30/06/2020: Newstalk ZB
1566 AMTo be activated. Licence created 28/04/2022, MBIE transferred to Radio Tarana NZ Ltd 30/08/2022Horokiwi16

Internet Radio Stations


The rise in internet radio stations has been prevalent in Wellington. Mouthfull Radio is the contemporary station that showcases community online radio from Wellington. Most stations also use an m3u stream on their website so you can listen online if you are outside of the band of radio in proximity.

Decommissioned frequencies

The following frequencies were previously used in the Wellington region, but most were decommissioned in the reallocation of frequencies in October 2010.

It is unlikely that most of these FM frequencies will be re-used as most do not fit within the current band spacing plan. Possible exceptions are 102.1/102.9 FM and 96.9 FM that fit the band plans for Wellington and Hutt Valley respectively.

Frequency Status Previous stations on frequency Area served Replacement frequency (if applicable)
89.0 FMDecommissioned1982–2011 Radio ActiveWellington88.6 (Radio Active)
89.4 FMDecommissioned ?–2010 Radio SportUpper Hutt / Hutt Valley93.7 (Radio Sport - Hutt Valley transmitter)
90.0 FMDecommissioned1990–1991 2ZB
1991–1993 B90 FM (same station rebranded)
1993–2010 Classic Hits 90FM
Greater Wellington90.1 Classic Hits 90FM
93.1 FMDecommissioned2004–2010 Radio HaurakiGreater Wellington93.3 (Hauraki)
93.5 FMDecommissioned1986–2007 ZMFM/91ZM
2007–2010 Easy Mix
Hutt ValleyEasy Mix moved to 93.7 MHz & closed June 2012, replaced by Radio Sport
94.7 FMDecommissioned1995–1996 Kix FM
1996–2004 Channel Z
2004–2010 More FM Wellington
Hutt Valley95.3 (More FM - Hutt Valley)
95.6 FMDecommissioned1980s–2010 Radio New Zealand ConcertHutt Valley96.1 (RNZ Concert - Hutt Valley)
96.3 FMDecommissioned1990s Pirate FM
1999–2010 The Rock
Greater Wellington96.5 (The Rock)
96.9 FMDecommissioned1990s–2010 Atiawa Toa FMWellington & Hutt Valley (excluding Porirua)100.9 Atiawa Toa FM
98.7 FMDecommissioned2004–2005 More FM (moved from 98.9FM)
2005–2010 Radio Live
Greater Wellington98.9 (Radio Live)
99.2 FMDecommissioned2006–2010 Life FMPorirua98.1 (Life FM - Porirua)
99.4 FMDecommissioned2005–2010 CoastGreater Wellington95.7 (Coast)
100.0 FMDecommissioned1991–2010 More FM WellingtonWellington / Porirua99.7 (More FM)
100.7 FMDecommissioned2002–2010 Niu FMHutt Valley104.1 (Niu FM - Hutt Valley)
102.1 FMDecommissioned 2015
Crown Reserve
2006 - 2015: Kiwi FMGreater Wellington
102.9 FMExpired Licence 265411
Crown Reserve Maori
20-24/02/2019: Haka Translate Te Matatini ki te Ao (Event Broadcast)[8]Westpac Stadium/Wellington CBD
783 AMDecommissioned 20171981 - 2017: Wellington Access Radio
(original call sign 2YB)
Samoan Capital Radio
Greater Wellington106.1 FM Wellington Access Radio
1323 AMDecommissioned1988 - 1994: Aotearoa RadioGreater Wellington

Low power FM frequencies

There are a number of Low Power FM stations that are operating, or have operated, in Wellington whose broadcast range may be less than that of the full-power FM stations.

Wellington

  • AREC FM, 107.0, mono, BBC World Service. Good coverage of CBD right out to the airport and the station is commercial free.
  • Calvary Chapel Radio, 106.9 stereo, near Newtown, Christian Radio
  • Critical Analysis Broadcasting 107.1 FM, broadcasting to Kilbirnie, Melrose and Miramar, was on 107.5 til 8 March Talks of left-green persuasion
  • Family Radio - Karori, 106.9 FM, Stereo, Bible centred and God glorifying broadcast. Bible readings, music, studies, and talkback discussion
  • Fleet FM, 107.3FM Wellington from July 2003 until May 2010
  • George FM, 106.7, (replaced Rova 1067 September 2019). Appears to be transmitting from on or around Victoria University in Kelburn
  • Groove FM, 106.8, mono, located at Trades Hall, used for uplink to 107.7 transmitter 41°17′42.61″S 174°46′35.25″E
  • Groove FM, 107.7, mono, some adverts, broadcasting from the CBD area
  • High-Fi FM, 107.3, Wellington High School radio station
  • Human FM, 88.1 stereo, eclectic music, poetry, Christian, broadcasting from Victoria University Anglican Chaplaincy (started May 2007)
  • Kix FM 87.6 stereo, CBD, Capital Rock
  • Kool FM, 107.3 stereo, adverts, NZ Radio School, Cuba Street
  • Maranui FM, 106.7FM Lyall Bay School since 2008
  • Matrix 107.5 FM mono, music and educational material
  • Mix FM 87.9 MHz stereo, Grenada Village, Churton Park, Johnsonville, northern suburbs, Pop/rock music ranging from the 80s to today's hottest tracks.
  • MUNTfm, 88.5 stereo, broadcasting from old Museum, now Massey University, music mix incl. NZ music (monitored to have played Half a Bat Cat) 41°17′59.54″S 174°46′37.13″E
  • Muse Radio, 87.9FM, Student radio Wellington Central
  • only around Oriental Bay, 107.3, nice jazz, low power
  • Radio Brooklyn, 106.9 mono, 0.5 Watts but superior location, opened 12. Feb 2008, plays copyright free speeches and university lectures, at 7pm relays Radio Netherlands Newsdesk and Democracy Now.
  • Radio Island Bay 107.5 FM mono, broadcasting from Island Bay
  • Radio Karori, 107.5 mono, political talks
  • Radio Melina 107.4 MHz FM, stereo 1W output, broadcasting from Seatoun, 41°19′29.36″S 174°50′14.17″E.
  • Radio Rainbow, 107.6
  • Rova 1067, 106.7FM down town Wellington "The Rova All Day Breakfast with Polly & Grant" live and then replayed, started July 2017 (Stuff), George FM reinstated September 2019
  • Up FM, 88.1FM Wellington, dance music launched October 2006
  • Te Upoko O Te Ika,[9] 87.6FM (simulcast of 1161AM) Maori radio Wellington CBD
  • The Sound FM, 88.7, Plays all your hit music and your favourite jams from the 70s to today with shows that cater for everyone.
  • The Wedge 88.1 FM, Newtown, weekday evenings
  • TLC Radio, 88.0 FM,[10] country music broadcasting for Wellington CBD, Mt Vic & inner hill suburbs

Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt and Petone

  • 107.2 Secret FM, 107.2FM Lower Hutt Central, Youth radio established 2012
  • 107.7 FM HIBS Student Radio, Hutt International Boys' School, Trentham, Upper Hutt
  • andHow.FM 107.5, Stereo, Mangaroa Valley, Indie Rock
  • Boom FM, 88.7, Electronica interspersed with classics and kiwi sounds
  • Calvary Chapel Radio, 106.9, Christian Radio
  • Core FM, 107.1 FM, Alicetown
  • Hutt City FM,[11] 106.7 FM, Lower Hutt
  • Hutt Radio,[12] 88.3 FM (previously 106.1 and 106.7 FM), Lower Hutt
  • KIX-FM was a fully commercial rock radio station with studios in central Lower Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand. First going to air in 1993, it filled a gap in Wellington for a rock station when the former Radio Windy reformatted to an easy listening format as The Breeze in 1993. All the on-air staff on KIX FM were volunteers and new to radio. After the station went off-air in 1996 many of the original staff went on to work at some of the New Zealand's biggest radio stations including Mike Currie (Thrasher) on Radio Hauraki & The Sound, Spiros Foundoulakis went to More FM Wellington, Kris Miller worked for The Breeze in Wellington and David Cunningham (deceased) moved to Port FM in Timaru. After going off-air it was resurrected in 2001 as a low power FM radio station and is completely commercial free. Originally on 106.7FM, then 88.7 FM and 87.6FM 2010 - 2017, the station streams on the internet and is completely automated.[13]
  • Robot FM, 107.5 mono, Lower Hutt, broadcasting political talks (started May 2006)
  • Supernova, 107.0, mellower music mix + NZ
  • The Cheese FM, 87.9, Stereo, Lower Hutt. Broadcasting to Central Lower Hutt and the CBD Area. Hits of the 80's 90s and Today.
  • The Hutt Valleys River FM 88 Upper Hutt and 87.6 Central Hutt, The station has been broadcasting since Feb 2009. We are a community station broadcasting live morning shows Mon-Fri with community & up to date commuter information as well as a wide range of music. Totally local the Hutts Best Music River FM and also streaming on www.riverfm.co.nz "click" the listen now button

Porirua

  • AREC FM,[14] 87.6, mono, Porirua, BBC World Service, simulcast on 87.9 Kapiti (see table below), and Wellington 107.0, in the CBD. Good coverage on SH1 from Johnsonville to Pukerua Bay Bay and the station is commercial free.
  • Genesis FM, 88.1, mono, Porirua, Bible preaching
  • S-FM, 88.3, stereo, Broadcasting from Pak'nSave, Porirua, Top 40, Urban, no broadcasts 13th,17th March 2018
  • Tawa College FM, tba, Tawa only, plays rock songs apart from 1:20 - 2:15 on weekdays when there is a talk show
  • World FM,[15] 88.2, stereo, Tawa, World Music plus relays of WRN & Radio Six International

Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) trial in Wellington

Kordia operated a (DAB) test service between October 2006 and 30 June 2018. At the conclusion the trial transmissions were from Mt Kaukau in Band III on 192.352 MHz. The multiplex delivered a mix of DAB and DAB+ programmes over nearly 12 years. The programmes at the conclusion of the trial were:

Programme Format DAB/+ Bit rate kb/s
KDABPop musicDAB+96 stereo
Base FMFreeform Urban contemporaryDAB128 stereo
BBC World ServiceTalk radioDAB64 mono
Brian FMAdult HitsDAB+96 stereo
RNZ Concert+Classical musicDAB+112 stereo
George FMHouse musicDAB128 j/stereo
NBR RadioTalk radio FinanceDAB+32 mono
RNZ NationalPublic radioDAB128 j/stereo
Rhema+Christian radioDAB+96 stereo
Spice+Punjabi radioDAB+96 stereo
Radio TaranaContemporary Indian radioDAB128 stereo
The Flea FMPop musicDAB+96 stereo

Kāpiti Coast/Horowhenua radio stations

Frequency Name Format Transmitter location[16] Licensed power (kW)[16] Broadcasting on frequency since Previous stations on frequency
87.9 FMAREC FM [17]BBC World ServiceWaikanae Low Power FM0.0012018Was 87.6 Waikanae Live
88.2 FMPaekākāriki 88.2 [18]Local issues and artistsPaekākāriki Low Power FM0.001
88.7 FMVacant January 2021Forest Heights0.63Reo FM
89.5 FMNewstalk ZBTalk radioForest Heights0.63
90.3 FMMore FMAdult contemporary musicForest Heights2.5Was 90.2 Kapiti / 95.1 & 104.2 Horowhenua; Previous names 2XX & 95FM
91.1 FMZMContemporary hit radioForest Heights0.632004
91.9 FMThe RockActive rockForest Heights0.63
92.7 FMThe HitsAdult contemporaryForest Heights0.632004Radio Sport until 2004, Classic Hits 92.7 until 2014 Same station but rebranded
93.5 FMSENZ[7]Sports radioForest Heights0.6319/07/2021TAB Trackside
94.3 FMThe SoundClassic rockForest Heights12012Solid Gold FM, The Heat, The Box
95.1 FMMagicOldiesForest Heights0.5201595.1 More FM Horowhenua (95.1 Relocated from Heights Road Shannon) More FM now 90.3 Kapiti & Horowhenua
95.9 FMCoastEasy listeningForest Heights0.63
96.7 FMLife FMContemporary Christian musicForest Heights0.63Coast Access Radio
97.5 FMThe EdgeContemporary hit radioForest Heights0.63
98.3 FMRNZ ConcertClassical musicForest Heights0.5
99.1 FMChannel XClassic alternativeForest Heights0.638 May 20232005-2019: Radio Live; 19/01/2019 - 20/03/2022: Magic Talk; 21/03/2022 - 30/03/2023: Today FM
100.7 FMThe BreezeEasy listeningForest Heights0.63
101.5 FMRNZ NationalPublic radioForest Heights0.5
103.9 FMRadio RhemaChristian radioForest Heights0.5
104.7 FMCoast AccessAccess radioForest Heights0.63
106.3 FMBeach FMLocal commercial radioForest Heights0.63
107.5 FMsilent 1/04/2021Paraparaumu Low Power FM0.0012016- ? Triple X FM [19]
1377 AMsilent 15/02/2020Te Horo82004-2020 Radio Sport
  • Radio Kapiti, (frequency not recorded) holiday broadcaster

Wairarapa radio stations

Frequency Name Format Location Licensed power (kW) Years Previous station(s) on frequency
87.6 FMGold SportGreatest hits & Sports radioMasterton Low Power FM0.00101/072020Oct 2019 - Mar 2020: Radio Sport
30/03 - 30/06/2020: Newstalk ZB
87.8 FMMasterton LPFM0.0013ABN
88.1 FMHit Student Radio[20]Top 40, Old schoolMakoura College Masterton LPFM0.001
88.7 FMLife FMChristian radioMasterton (Pariwhariki Trig)0.32
89.5 FMMore FMAdult contemporary musicWairarapa Valley (Popoiti)4Hitz 89FM (later known as Hitz 89.3FM), Today FM (not the Mediaworks brand)
90.3 FMThe HitsAdult contemporary musicMasterton (Otahoua)4Classic Hits Wairarapa, Radio Wairarapa, 2ZD
91.1 FMSENZ[7]Sports radioMasterton (Otahoua)419/07/2021TAB Trackside, Live Sport, BSport, Radio Pacific-Trackside
91.9 FMCoastEasy listeningMasterton (Otahoua)4Oct 2019Radio Sport
92.7 FMArrow FMAccess RadioWairarapa Valley (Popoiti)0.8
93.5 FMThe SoundClassic rockWairarapa Valley (Popoiti)4Solid Gold FM
94.3 FMZMContemporary hit radioMasterton (Otahoua)4
95.1 FMThe RockActive rockWairarapa Valley (Popoiti)4
95.9 FMThe EdgeContemporary hit radioWairarapa Valley (Popoiti)4
97.5 FMRhemaChristian radioMasterton (Pariwhariki Trig)0.32
98.3 FMChannel XClassic alternativeWairarapa Valley (Popoiti)48 May 2023Radio Pacific; Radio Live; 2019 - 20/03/2022: Magic Talk; 21/03/2022 - 30/03/2023: Today FM
99.1 FMRNZ ConcertClassical musicMasterton (Otahoua)4
99.9 FMThe BreezeEasy listeningWairarapa Valley (Popoiti)4
100.7 FMStarChristian radioMasterton (Pariwhariki Trig)0.32
101.5 FMRNZ NationalPublic radioMasterton (Otahoua)4
105.5 FMMagicOldiesWairarapa Valley (Popoiti)4
105.9 FMMore FMAdult contemporary musicCastlepoint0.32
106.5 FMRadio EketāhunaLocal radioEketāhuna (Mount Bowen)0.52ZE FM
846 AMNewstalk ZBTalk radioMasterton (Waingawa)6.3Community Radio Wairarapa, 2ZD (2ZD previously broadcast on 1180, 1170[6] and 840 kHz between 1931 and 1978)
1071 AMRNZ NationalPublic radioMasterton (Waingawa)8

References

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