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This is an aerial photo of RNZ Pacific’s new transmitter.
photo: Royal Bank of New Zealand
New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister says shortwave broadcasting to the Pacific is “even more important” now than it was when RNZ Pacific first broadcast to the region in 1990.
RNZ launched its new Pacific shortwave transmitter on Thursday, replacing an old transmitter installed in 1989.
The Pacific High Commissioner and Foreign Minister Winston Peters met at RNZ House in Wellington to celebrate the launch, while another RNZ delegation travelled to the transmitter site at Rangitaiki near Taupo.
“It was very important then and it’s still very important now,” Peters said of RNZ Pacific’s early days.
New Zealand and China are currently the only two countries providing shortwave services to the region, with Australia’s ABC withdrawing in 2017.
Radio New Zealand (RNZ Pacific) began broadcasting in 1990 and has been broadcasting to the Pacific region using shortwave for 75 years.
“Shortwave is the most reliable system to ensure we can arrive in time in the event of a crisis like a tsunami or a hurricane,” Peters said.
In a NZ$4.4 million project, RNZ installed a new Swiss-made Ampegon shortwave transmitter to replace the old one, which is capable of transmitting both digital and analogue signals.
On 1 August 2024, Foreign Minister Winston Peters launched the new RNZ Pacific shortwave transmitter. The service provides news and critical safety information across the Pacific, reaching 19 countries and nearly two million listeners.
photo: X/@NewZealandMFA
RNZ chief executive Paul Thompson said it was a major infrastructure upgrade that ensured the future operation of RNZ’s shortwave service across the wider Pacific.
He said that despite the many ways to access content now, shortwave still remains relevant.
“A lot of these approaches rely on digital infrastructure, fibre links or local transmission assets so that New Zealand shortwave can reach those communities.”
Like Peters, Thompson said RNZ’s transmissions were more relevant now than ever due to climate change and rising geopolitical tensions.
“Providing trusted, reliable information to the Pacific Islands was really important in 1989, but I think it’s just as important now.”
Thompson said the 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hungahapai eruption, which cut internet connectivity in Tonga for five weeks, was an example of the importance of the service – RNZ’s broadcasts in the central North Island were not affected.
RNZ Pacific broadcasts to the Pacific region 24 hours a day in English and Pacific languages in partnership with 22 media partners.
Thompson said the number of listeners was unknown. He said it would be prohibitively expensive to find out how many people were listening, even if it were possible.
However, he said he knew people were listening and Radio New Zealand Pacific reporters often found listeners in the most remote places.
Samoa’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, Afamasaga Faamatalaupu Toleafoa, said RNZ Pacific radio was very useful, especially in villages and areas with limited broadcasting capacity.
Afamasaga said he was disappointed when Australia’s public broadcaster shut down its shortwave service.
“I don’t think it’s a sign of disregard, but perhaps it’s downplayed by the importance of other things.”
Foreign Minister Winston Peters (centre) launches the new RNZ Pacific shortwave transmitter in Wellington on August 1, 2024. The event was attended by the High Commissioners or Consular Representatives from Kiribati, the Cook Islands, Samoa, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The service provides news and critical security information across the Pacific, reaching 19 countries and nearly two million listeners.
photo: X/@NewZealandMFA
RNZ transmission engineering expert Steve White said the project was progressing smoothly – on budget and with no disruption to services.
Radio New Zealand Pacific regional manager Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor said the new transmitter marked a new chapter in our proud tradition of sharing unique stories across the Pacific.
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