[HCDX] New RNZI Mailbox Documentary Celebrates 60 Years of RNZ Shortwave

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Radio New Zealand International 
60th Anniversary 1948-2008
RNZI Mailbox Documentary 
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Listen to Mailbox on RNZI this week as David Ricquish of
the Radio Heritage Foundation looks at the history of shortwave radio
from New Zealand.

On September 27 1948, the shortwave division of the NZ Broadcasting
Service began broadcasts to Australia and the South Pacific from two
low powered war surplus transmitters located near Wellington.

In this special Mailbox documentary, you can hear how shortwave radio
started in New Zealand, including calls for a national shortwave
service as early as 1928.

Private commercial stations 2ZW Wellington, 3ZC Christchurch and 4ZM
Dunedin were all early shortwave broadcasters, and the program takes
us through the early years that led up to the late arrival of Radio
NZ on the international airwaves.

Hear how the NZ Post & Telegraph office played a pivotal role in
getting regular shortwave broadcasts on air as early as the 1930's,
and how the relays of domestic radio services such as 2YA and 2ZB in
Wellington proved popular with foreign listeners.

Audio includes the famous birdsong interval signal that for many
years announced the arrival of a RNZ shortwave broadcast, the opening
announcement by the Prime Minister of the day, and an excerpt from
the most popular program in the early days, 'Song and Story of the
Maori' broadcast in 1949.

Now known as Radio New Zealand International, the station has always
worked hard to stay true to the original vision announced on opening
day in 1948.

It's growing popularity with partner stations across the Pacific some
60 years later demonstrates how this small shortwave station from the
South Pacific has quietly gone about targeting its niche audience yet
with popularity amongst shortwave listeners worldwide that belies its
small resource base and regional focus.

Visit www.rnzi.com for shortwave frequencies and times and to
download an audio on demand version of the program that will be
available throughout September, the anniversary month.

It's now available by first clicking 'more audio' then the Mailbox
program uploaded on August 31.

A second radioheritage documentary on September 15 will continue to
celebrate 60 years of service to the Pacific by RNZI. 

At www.radioheritage.net you can read an article celebrating the
first broadcasts from Radio New Zealand, the original shortwave
service in 1948. Look for 'Radio New Zealand Signs On' to see details
of the original programs, technical information about the original
station and more history of the station.

For more information about early days of broadcasting in the Pacific
including stories and images and the popular Art of Radio Hawaii
online exhibition, visit www.radioheritage.net today.

Full searchable lists of todays AM and shortwave stations in the
Pacific are available free online in the Pacific Asian Log Radio
Guides. An FM guide is currently in preparation.

The Radio Heritage Foundation is a non-profit organization registered
with the Charities Commission in New Zealand and connects the
heritage of radio broadcasting and popular culture across the
Pacific. www.radioheritage.net. 

Radio New Zealand International is the award winning shortwave
broadcaster serving the Pacific from Wellington, New Zealand since
1948. www.rnzi.com.

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