Neville Wakem On Radio Taranaki – New Plymouth, New Zealand (1977)

This scoped aircheck features announcer Neville Wakem on Radio Taranaki.  It was recorded on 2 August 1977.All commercials and news bulletins have been left intact for their nostalgic value.  The news is read by Dudley Scantlebury.  Listen also for the voice of Bruce Appleton.

BRIEF STATION HISTORY

– Radio Taranaki’s roots date back to 1948 when it was established under the name 2XP.  2XP broadcast to New Plymouth and North Taranaki on 1370 AM  The 2XP call-sign was later revised to 2ZP, with the station becoming known as Radio Taranaki in the 1970s.                                                      A second frequency for Radio Taranaki was also established in the South Taranaki town of Hawera during the 1970s.  Known as Hawera’s 2ZH and 2ZH Radio Taranaki, the station featured a mix of local programming from the Hawera studio and relays of the main New Plymouth based programme.  2ZH broadcast on 1560 AM

In late 1978, the AM radio band in New Zealand changed from 10kHz spacing to 9kHz spacing.  Radio Taranaki’s frequencies were adjusted accordingly, with 1370 AM moving to 1053 AM and 1560 AM moving to 1557 AM

In 1991, Radio Taranaki began simulcasting its programme on 90.0 FM, when its sister station Q 90FM ceased operating on that frequency.  The station became known as 90FM & AM Radio Taranaki, and later 90FM Radio Taranaki.

In December of 1993, 90FM Radio Taranaki was re-branded as Classic Hits 90FM, while the station’s two AM frequencies were used to launch Newstalk ZB in the region.

In 2014, Classic Hits 90FM was re-branded as The Hits.

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