| Broadcast area | Nelson/Tasman |
|---|---|
| Branding | Fresh FM |
| Slogan | Broadcasting across the Top of the South |
| Frequency | Nelson 95.4FM Tasman 104.8FM Takaka 95.2FM Blenheim 89.2FM |
| First air date | 1994 |
| Format | Public radio |
| Language | English |
| Class | Terrestrial/Internet |
| Owner | Tasman Broadcasting Trust |
| Webcast | Fresh FM Listen Live |
| Website | Fresh FM Website |
Fresh FM is a not-for-profit community access radio station run by the Tasman Broadcasting Trust that covers the top of New Zealand's South Island.
Local iwi have gifted it the name "te reo irirangi o te tau ihu o te waka a maui".
Fresh FM broadcasts across the Nelson/Tasman region. Fresh FM is the only Community Access radio station in the region and is the only one in New Zealand operating over such a wide region and using studios in multiple locations.
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Fresh FM, under the umbrella of the Tasman Broadcasting Trust, was formed in 1994 when two local stations merged after suggestion to do so from New Zealand On Air. The two stations were, Boulder Radio, based in Nelson city, and Harvest Radio which operated from Te Awhina Marae in Motueka.
Fresh FM is a Community Access station, producing content made By, For and About people in the local area. Included in the programme mix is drama, music and documentaries that reflect the top of the South Island. Programme makers represent the Nelson/Tasman and Marlborough regions in the broadest sense, giving their own time to make radio programmes that reflect the life stream of the community across the top of the South Island. Fresh FM's current contract with New Zealand On Air provides funding which covers about 55% of operating costs. The station is required to meet the shortfall through limited general advertising, programme sponsorship, listener subscriptions (Club Fresh) and donations.
Fresh FM broadcasts from studios in Nelson, Motueka and Takaka to a combined population base of over 80,000 people. The station plans to open a studio in Blenheim as soon as a secure suitable premises can be found. This will complete their network across the top of the South and add a further 20,000 potential listeners.
Fresh FM should reflect the aspirations, creativity, experiences, stories and music of the people who live in the region covering the top of the South Island. And through their broadcast frequencies and on-line services, share those things with the world.