List of radio stations in Canterbury

This is a list of radio stations in Canterbury in New Zealand.

During October 2010, several FM radio stations changed frequencies as spacing was being standardised to 0.8 MHz. Frequency changes continue as broadcast licences are renewed. Most frequencies are now spaced 0.8 MHz apart, with the first station at a frequency of 88.9 MHz. Infill stations are allocated to the 0.4 MHz frequency in the buffer between two other stations.

The Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 have allowed community stations to play a greater role in the Canterbury community. Compass FM 104.9 FM has existed as a not-for-profit community radio station in the North Canterbury area since June 2011. Several radio stations have also ceased operation as a result of the Canterbury earthquakes. In Lyttelton, for instance, Volcano Radio 88.5FM was broadcasting 80 shows commercial-free from February 2008, but the quakes damaged equipment and forced the building to be demolished. Shows on the station included Project Lyttelton, Monday Report, children's programme Lyttelease, classical music show Vienna Volcano, and old school metal and hard rock show The Molten Metal.[1][2]

Christchurch and North Canterbury stations

FM and AM

The following stations broadcast in the Christchurch area including Sumner and the Hurunui District.

Most high-power FM radio stations serving Christchurch broadcast from the Sugarloaf transmitter, located on the Port Hills due south of the central city. Stations broadcasting from this transmitter also serve the majority of the Canterbury Plains, as far south as the Rangitata River. The suburb of Sumner is served by infill FM transmitters located at Southshore and Sumner Head, as hills block the signal from Sugarloaf.

Frequency
[3] 		Station[4] Location
[3] 		Licensed power (kW)[3] Format[5] Airdate
[6] 		Previous stations on frequency
88.9 FM The Edge Sugarloaf 32 Contemporary hit radio 2017 Broadcast on 89.0FM prior to 2008
1999 - 2009 The Edge; 2010: George FM; 2011 - 2017: Mai FM
89.3 FM Radio Hauraki Sumner 0.016 Alternative rock & Classic rock 2009
89.7 FM RNZ Concert Sugarloaf 80 Classical music 1984
90.1 FM Coast Southshore 0.8 Classic hits 2015
90.5 FM Tahu FM Sugarloaf 16 Urban contemporary & Iwi radio 1991 formerly Te Reo Iriraki O Otautahi, 90.5 Tahu FM, Mai FM
90.9 FM ZM Sumner 0.016 Contemporary hit radio 2009 ZM was previously on 89.2FM in Sumner
91.3 FM ZM Sugarloaf 80 Contemporary hit radio 1986 formerly ZMFM, 91ZM
91.7 FM Gold Sumner (Tuawera Tce) 0.08 Classic rock 1 July 2020 2015 - 30 June 2020: Mix
92.1 FM More FM Sugarloaf 80 Adult contemporary music 1992
92.9 FM The Sound Sugarloaf 50 Classic rock 2001 formerly Solid Gold; 1986-2001: C93FM (formerly 93 Gold, Classic Hits 93FM)
93.3 FM Flava Sumner (Tuawera Tce) 0.08 Urban contemporary Jan 2023 2015 - 2020: Flava; 20 Jan 2020 - 12 Oct 2020: Pulzar FM; Oct 2020 - Jan 2023: Anthemz[7]
93.7 FM The Rock Sugarloaf 80 Active rock 1999 1992 - 1999: Radio Pacific
94.1 FM Life FM Sumner (Tuawera Tce) 0.08 Contemporary Christian music Sept 2023
94.5 FM The Breeze Sugarloaf 32 Adult contemporary music 1998 formerly Lite FM; 1994 - 1998: Easy Listening i94.5
94.9 FM More FM Southshore 0.8 Adult contemporary music 1992 Broadcast on 95.3FM prior to 2009
95.3 FM George FM Sugarloaf 32 Dance music 1 May 2023 2009 - 2017: The Edge; 2017 - 20/03/2022: Mai FM on 106.8 FM; 21/03/2022 - 30/03/2023: Today FM
96.1 FM Bassline 96.1[8] Sugarloaf 16 R&B and Funk 13 May 2024 Previous NZ Broadcasting School programmes: Waves 96.1, Rewind 96.1,[9] 3/05-24/11/2021 Fever FM,[10] Tracks 96.1, The 96.1, OKBoomer, The Garage, Rift, Basement, Embr, Summit, Chalk, Jacked, The Attic, Mode, Alpha, Splat, Blush
96.5 FM The Hits Southshore 0.32 Adult contemporary music 2006 formerly Classic Hits 97.7
96.9 FM Plains FM Sugarloaf 5 Access Radio 1988
97.7 FM The Hits Sugarloaf 80 Adult contemporary music 1991 formerly B98 FM, Classic Hits
98.5 FM RDU 98.5 synchronous transmission
Marleys Hill, Ilam (backup transmitter), Sumner Head		 1.6
0.16
0.01		 Campus radio Alternative culture 1986 Broadcast on 90.5FM from 1986-1988 and 98.3FM from 1988-2002
previously Radio U, UFM
99.3 FM Magic Sugarloaf 32 Oldies 30 Dec 2019 1991-1992 99 More FM (moved to 92.1 FM); 1993-1997: Life 99.3FM, 1997-1999: Southern Star; 1999-2005: Channel Z, 2005–2006: Kiwi FM; 2006-2019: Radio Live (simulcast on 99.3 FM and 738 AM since 2006 but moved to 99.3 FM since 2015); Jan - 30 Dec 2019: Magic Talk (moved to 738 AM as at 30 Dec 2019)
99.7 FM RNZ Concert Southshore 0.32 Classical music 1984 Broadcast on 99.9FM prior to 2010
100.1 FM Newstalk ZB Sugarloaf 5 Talk radio 2011
100.5 FM The Breeze Lyttelton 0.1 Adult contemporary music 2021 Magic Talk, Magic Music
100.5 FM Brian FM[11] Sumner (Tuawera Tce) 0.08 Adult hits Sep 2021
100.9 FM Anthemz Huntsbury Hill 5 Classic alternative 16 May 2023 2008-2020: Voice of South Pole;[12] 28/09/2020 - 13/05/2023: Pulzar FM
101.7 FM RNZ National Sugarloaf 16 Public radio 2004
103.7 FM Compass FM Cheviot (Beltana) 0.8 Classic hits
103.7 FM Compass FM Hanmer (Wallace Peak) 0.32 Classic hits
104.1 FM PMN 531 Sugarloaf 16 Pacific radio Jan 2019 2010-2019: Niu FM
104.5 FM More FM Lyttelton 0.1 Adult contemporary music 2021
104.9 FM Compass FM 104.9 Rangiora (Mt Grey) 2 Community radio 2011
105.7 FM Coast Huntsbury Hill 5 Classic hits 3 Aug 2020 2009[13] 2009-2020: Pulzar FM; 20/01 - 02/08/2020: C105.7
106.1 FM Brian FM Hanmer (Wallace Peak) 1.58 Adult hits 18/05/2022
106.5 FM Radio Hauraki Sugarloaf 16 Alternative rock & Classic rock 2008
540 AM Rhema Philpotts Rd 3.2 Christian music 2015 2011 - 2015: The Word
612 AM Star Philpotts Rd 10 Christian music Rhema
675 AM RNZ National Gebbies Pass 63 Public radio 3YA (3YA was also broadcast on 980, 720[14] and 690 kHz prior to Nov 1978)
738 AM The Breeze Marshland 16 Easy listening 31/03/2023 1999-2005: Radio Pacific; 2005-2015: Radio Live (simulcast on 99.3 FM and 738 AM since 2006 but moved to 99.3 FM from 2015 until 30 Dec 2019); Jan - 30 Dec 2019: Magic Music (moved to 99.3 FM as at 30 Dec 2019); 30/12/2019 - 20/03/2022: Magic Talk; 21/03/2022 - 30/03/2023: Today FM
963 AM AM Network & Star Gebbies Pass 32 Christian music 1990s
1017 AM Newstalk ZB Philpotts Rd 6.3 Talk radio 2011 2000 - 2002: Canterbury On Air, Now AM; 2003 - 2010: Radio Hauraki
1098 AM Newstalk ZB Bottle Lake 16 Talk radio 1994 Until 1994: 3ZB
1260 AM Sport Nation Marshland 6.3 Sports radio 19/11/2024 1973 - 1990: Radio Avon; 1990 - 1999: C93FM; 1999 - 2001: Solid Gold; 2001 - 2004: Lite FM; 2004 - 2005 The Breeze; 2005 - 2007: Radio Pacific/Trackside;
2007 - 2010: BSport/Radio Trackside
2010 - 2015: LiveSport/Radio Trackside
2015 - 2020: TAB Trackside
2021 - 2024: SENZ
1413 AM Radio Ferrymead Ferrymead Park 0.32 Oldies 1980s
1503 AM Gold Sport Bottle Lake 16 Classic hits & Sports radio 1 July 2020 1980s - mid 1990s: New Zealand's Rhema; 1994 - March 2020: Radio Sport formerly Sports Roundup; 30 March - 30 June 2020: Newstalk ZB
1593 AM Coast Philpotts Rd 16 Classic hits 2004 Late 1990s: 88 Country, 2001 - 2003: The Wolf; 2003 - 2004: Easy Listening i

Low Power FM

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

Frequency Station Location Format Airdate Previous stations on frequency
87.6 FM Life FM Christchurch Contemporary Christian music 2011
87.8 FM Power Hit FM[15] Christchurch Hit Music, Pop Music, Dance Music 2005
87.8 FM Radio Tarana Christchurch Contemporary Indian radio
87.9 FM The Basement[16] Rangiora Classic hits 2023 Radio La Famia, Ashgrove FM
88.0 FM Bible reading & Christian music Christchurch Christian contemporary 2024 Country FM, 2011: Shakey FM, Rollywood FM, 2013-2020: Flava
20 Jan 2020 - 12 Oct 2020: Pulzar FM.
88.1 FM Harmony FM Riccarton Christian radio 2010
88.3 FM The Fridge Christchurch Student radio 2018 Rollywood FM,[17] The Wave[18]
88.3 FM Racing Commentary Christchurch Euromarque Motorsport Park 2009
106.8 FM Mai FM Sugarloaf Urban contemporary 21/03/2022
106.9 FM Gospel Radio Kaiapoi Community radio Was 107.3 FM.
106.9 FM Life FM Rangiora Contemporary Christian music
107.0 FM Seaside Sounds[19] New Brighton, New Zealand Community 2020 New Brighton Wassup
107.0 FM Thunder FM[20] Rolleston/Lincoln Contemporary hit radio
107.3 FM XS80's[21] Huntsbury Hill 1980s 2015
107.3 FM Gospel Radio Kaiapoi Community Radio 1998 - 2022 OFF air, Now 106.9 FM.
107.4 FM 1074BFM[22] Waitikiri Burwood North East 70s, 80s, 90s 2018
107.5 FM Radio Addington[23] Addington 2010
107.5 FM Radio Redwood[24] Redwood
107.5 FM Practice FM CBD, NZ Broadcasting School Various
107.5 FM Southbrook FM[25] Southbrook School Student radio
107.7 FM Just FM[26] Kaiapoi 1998 till 2022 then off air.
107.7 FM ChizzySoundz[27] Chisnallwood Intermediate School 2010
107.7 FM Rotten Radio[28] Lyttelton 2013: Flava
107.7 FM Anthemz Christchurch Urban contemporary 12 Oct 2020 20 Jan 2020 - 12 Oct 2020: Pulzar FM
Streaming DawnFM[29] Haeata Community Campus 2019 internet only station

Banks Peninsula Stations

The following stations broadcast in Akaroa or the Banks Peninsula area.

Frequency
[3] 		Station Format[5] Location
(transmitter)[3] 		Licensed
power (kW)[3] 		Airdate Previous stations on frequency
90.3 FM Akaroa Radio Akaroa
91.1 FM Akaroa Radio Hilltop
95.1 FM RNZ Concert Classical music Mt Pearce 1.25
95.9 FM XS80s 1980s Long Bay Road
99.1 FM More FM Adult hits Mt Pearce 0.8
107.3 FM LPFM Akaroa Bay Radio[30]

Mid Canterbury Stations

The following stations broadcast in the Ashburton or Mid Canterbury area.

Frequency
[3] 		Station[4] Format[5] Location
[3] 		Licensed
power
(kW)[3] 		Airdate
[6] 		Previous stations on frequency
89.3 FM The Hits Adult contemporary music Ashburton (Somerset House) 0.16 2001 formerly known as Classic Hits, 3ZE
91.7 FM Life FM Contemporary Christian music Ashburton 0.16
92.5 FM Hokonui Adult contemporary music Ashburton (Winchmore) 8 2014 2001 - 2014: The Hits (formerly known as Classic Hits, 3ZE)
93.3 FM The Edge Contemporary hit radio Ashburton (Electricity Ashburton) 0.16 2002
94.1 FM Mt Hutt Radio Mt Hutt Ski Field 0.16
94.9 FM More FM Adult contemporary music Ashburton (Surrey Hills) 8 28/04/2018 Port FM, Fox FM
95.7 FM The Sound Classic rock Ashburton (Electricity Ashburton) 0.16 2002 formerly Solid Gold
96.5 FM Hokonui Adult contemporary music Ashburton (Somerset House) 0.16 2001 - 2014: The Hits (formerly known as Classic Hits, 3ZE)
97.3 FM The Rock Active rock Ashburton (Electricity Ashburton) 0.16 2002
98.1 FM Newstalk ZB Talk radio Ashburton (Somerset House) 0.16
98.9 FM More FM Adult contemporary music Ashburton (Electricity Ashburton) 0.16 28/04/2018 Port FM, Fox FM
99.7 FM Brian FM Adult hits Ashburton (Gawler Downs) 8
101.3 FM RNZ National Public radio Ashburton (Gawler Downs) 8 2004
103.7 FM Magic Oldies Ashburton (Electricity Ashburton) 0.16 2017
105.3 FM Brian FM Adult hits Mt Hutt 0.32 March 2020 Can be heard in Christchurch and North Canterbury.
106.1 FM The Breeze Adult contemporary music Ashburton (Electricity Ashburton) 0.16 2018 2017 - March 2018 XS80s
702 AM Gold Sport Classic hits & Sports radio Ashburton (Winchmore) 01/07/2020 Until March 2020: Radio Sport; 30/03 - 30/06/2020: Newstalk ZB
873 AM Newstalk ZB Talk radio Ashburton (Winchmore) 2001 Until 2001: 3ZE
1071 AM Sport Nation Sports radio Ashburton (Winchmore) 19/07/2024 Until 2020: TAB Trackside; 2021 - 2024: SENZ

South Canterbury Stations

The following stations broadcast from the South Canterbury area including the Mackenzie District, Waimate District and Timaru

Frequency
[3] 		Station[4] Format[5] Location
(transmitter)[3] 		Licensed
power
(kW)[3] 		Airdate
[6] 		Previous stations on frequency
87.7 FM Waimate Community Radio[31] Music from 50's to now Waimate
88.0 FM Hospital FM[32] LPFM Timaru
88.4 FM no longer licensed LPFM Timaru Hospital FM
88.6 FM Magic Oldies Fairlie
89.1 FM Tahu FM Urban contemporary & Iwi radio Timaru (Cave Hill) 5 2000
89.4 FM More FM Adult contemporary music Twizel 1 28/04/2018 2017 - 2018: Port FM
89.9 FM The Breeze Adult contemporary music Timaru (Mt Horrible) 8 2018 1992 - March 2018: Radio Live
90.2 FM Hospital FM Fairlie 0.1
90.7 FM The Sound Classic rock Timaru (Tower Corp Building) 0.1
90.9 FM More FM Adult contemporary music Omarama (Cloud Hill) 0.05 28/04/2018 Port FM
91.0 FM The Rock Active rock Twizel (Mt Mary) 20/03/2022: Magic Talk; 21/03/2022 - 30/03/2023: Today FM
91.5 FM The Rock Active rock Timaru (Mt Horrible) 8 2001
91.8 FM Radio Rhema Christian radio Twizel (ECNZ) 1
92.3 FM The Breeze Adult contemporary music Timaru (Tower Corp Building) 0.1 The Edge, The Groove, The Heat FM
92.6 FM Twizel (Mt Mary) 0.08 until June 2024: RNZ National
93.1 FM More FM Adult contemporary music Timaru (Tower Corp Building)

Waimate (Mt Ellen)

0.1 28/04/2018 Port FM
93.4 FM RNZ National Public radio Tekapo (Mt John) 0.1
93.9 FM Brian FM Adult hits Timaru (Cave Hill) 1 April 2018
94.2 FM More FM Adult contemporary music Twizel (Mt Mary) 0.5 28/04/2018 Port FM
94.7 FM The Hits Adult contemporary music Timaru (Rhodestown)
95.0 FM More FM Adult contemporary music Fairlie (Mt Michael) 1.6 28/04/2018 Port FM
95.5 FM The Edge Contemporary hit radio Timaru (Mt Horrible) 8 2001
95.8 FM Radio Twizel Community radio Twizel 0.08
96.3 FM ZM Contemporary hit radio Timaru (Cave Hill) 5 2004
97.1 FM The Sound Classic rock Timaru (Mt Horrible) 8 2001 formerly Solid Gold
97.3 FM RNZ National Public radio Omarama (Cloud Hill) 0.008
97.4 FM Brian FM Adult hits Fairlie 1.0
97.9 FM More FM Adult contemporary music Timaru (Mt Horrible) 8 28/04/2018 Port FM
98.7 FM The Hits Adult contemporary music Timaru (Mt Studholme) 3.2 1995 formerly Classic Hits, 99FM, Radio Caroline
Broadcasting on 99.0FM prior to 2010
98.9 FM The Breeze Adult contemporary music Omarama (Cloud Hill) 0.05 28/04/2018 The Edge
99.5 FM RNZ Concert Classical music Timaru (Mt Studholme) 5
99.8 FM The Breeze Adult contemporary music (1980s-2010s) Twizel (Mt Mary) 1
100.3 FM 100.3FM South Canterbury 80's 90's 2000's Anthems Timaru (Cave Hill) 2.5 2018 Kiwi access 100.3
101.1 FM RNZ National Public radio Timaru (Mt Studholme) 3.2
103.5 FM Magic Oldies Timaru (Mt Horrible) 8 2017
104.3 FM Radio Rhema Christian radio Timaru (Cave Hill) 5
104.5 FM Brian FM Adult hits Omarama 0.1 2018 2014-2018: High Country FM
104.6 FM The Sound Classic rock Fairlie (Mt Michael) 1.6
105.1 FM Life FM Contemporary Christian music Timaru (Cave Hill) 5
105.4 FM Brian FM Adult hits Twizel (Mt Mary) 0.5 22/12/2020 Previously 99.0 FM March 2020 to 22/12/2020
The Hits (formerly Classic Hits, 99FM, Radio Caroline)
105.9 FM Channel X Classic alternative Timaru (Mt Horrible) 8 08/05/2023 2017 - March 2018: XS80s; 20/03/2022: Magic Talk; 21/03/2022 - 30/03/2023: Today FM
106.2 FM 100.3 South Canterbury 80's 90's 2000's Fairlie 0.04
106.7 FM Just Country FM LPFM Timaru
107.0 FM 100.3 FM South Canterbury Timaru XS80s
107.5 FM Hospital FM LPFM Timaru
594 AM Southern Star Christian radio Timaru (St Andrews)
918 AM RNZ National Public radio Timaru (Fairview)
981 AM Timaru (St Andrews) 2015 - Southern Star
2018: Coast
1152 AM Newstalk ZB Talk radio Timaru (Fairview) 2001 1949 - 2001: Radio Caroline, Classic Hits 99FM
1242 AM Sport Nation Sports radio Timaru (Fairview) 19/11/2024 2005 - 2020: TAB Trackside formerly LiveSport, BSport, Radio Pacific, 2021 - 2024: SENZ
1494 AM Gold Sport Classic hits & Sports radio Timaru (St Andrews) 01/07/2020 Until March 2020: Radio Sport
30/03 - 30/06/2020: Newstalk ZB

References

  1. ^ Volcano Radio 88.5 FM website Archived 21 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Molten Metal Show
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l RRF Licences Database; Frequency, Location and Licensed power
  4. ^ a b c "Radio Heritage". Radio Heritage Foundation.
  5. ^ a b c d "Local Radio Broadcast Stations". Radio Station World.
  6. ^ a b c "Welcome to The Radio Vault". The Radio Vault.
  7. ^ Anthemz
  8. ^ "Splash Page - Bassline Radio". Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  9. ^ Rewind 96.1
  10. ^ Fever FM
  11. ^ Brian FM Sumner
  12. ^ Voice of South Pole
  13. ^ Pulzar FM
  14. ^ Grid Bias (30 November 1933). "New Wavelengths 1-Dec-1933". The Evening Post. Archived from the original on 23 May 2020.
  15. ^ Power Hit FM 87.8
  16. ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  17. ^ Rollywood FM
  18. ^ The Wave Archived 2 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ https://www.facebook.com/SeasideSoundsNB/ [user-generated source]
  20. ^ Thunder FM
  21. ^ XS80's
  22. ^ 1074BFM
  23. ^ Radio Addington
  24. ^ Redwood Radio
  25. ^ "About us". Southbrook School. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  26. ^ JUST FM
  27. ^ ChizzySoundz
  28. ^ Rotten Radio
  29. ^ DawnFM
  30. ^ Bay Radio
  31. ^ Waimate Community Radio
  32. ^ "Timaru's Hospital Radio celebrates 30 years". Stuff. 26 March 2019. Retrieved 26 March 2019.