RNZ is retiring its AM transmission mast at Waingawa, Masterton. The mast has reached the end of its service life. Additionally, overlapping signals from other AM/FM sites already cover the transmission region.
The closure will affect AM listeners in the Wairarapa area. These listeners currently tune into RNZ National on 1071 AM. They will need to retune to either 101.5 FM or 567 AM by 1 February 2025 to continue to listen.
Radio station Newstalk ZB, owned by New Zealand Media and Entertainment, will also be affected. Listeners who now tune in on 846 AM will need to retune to 103.9 FM or listen via iHeartRadio.
RNZ Chief Technology Officer Mark Bullen said the Waingawa transmission mast was installed many years ago. This was before FM transmission was introduced.
“FM does a better job in more built-up areas and RNZ can still deliver AM from other transmission sites providing rural coverage to the Wairarapa region. It’s time to retire the Waingawa mast that is 60 years old and getting to the point where it needs significant investment to replace it.”
Waingawa is the first of four AM masts that RNZ will retire around the country in 2025. All of these sites are well covered by substitute FM and AM coverage from RNZ’s other transmission locations. They have all reached a point where they can no longer continue to run without significant investment.
While use of AM radio has declined since the introduction of FM, it still plays an important role. It achieves further reach and provides wider coverage than FM. This is especially important for those living away from the main city centres or in remote areas of rugged terrain.
Under RNZ’s AM Management Plan, 15 resilient AM sites will stay operational. They will offer nationwide coverage to 97% of New Zealand’s population till at least 2032. Masts which achieve the best population coverage have been prioritised and will be either replaced or repaired.
The RNZ AM Management Plan specifically recognises RNZ’s role as a lifeline utility. It highlights the need to support New Zealanders during and after significant civil defence events. Thus, RNZ is maintaining sites with a smaller population coverage. These sites are in remote areas, incapable of using other ways to access RNZ because of their remoteness.
The 1071 AM frequency will be repurposed to serve the East Coast of New Zealand. This change will extend RNZ National coverage. It aims to offer more resilience for remote areas of Tairāwhiti.