Radio Nelson

Radio Nelson was a radio station in Nelson. The station was first started in 1932 broadcasting on 1340AM with the callsign 2ZR. The station changed call signs to 2YN followed by 2XN and finally 2ZN. In 1978 the AM band in New Zealand was adjusted from 10khz to 9khz, as a result 2ZN moved to 1341AM. The station became known as Radio Nelson in the 1980s and in 1985 began broadcasting in Takaka on 1269AM with the call sign 2ZT. Radio Nelson began broadcasting on 89.8FM in 1992 as well as on the existing AM frequencies. In 1993 Radio Nelson was rebranded as Classic Hits 90FM when the station became part of Radio New Zealand's new Classic Hits brand. During the mid-nineties the 1341AM frequency was used to broadcast specialty programming such as talk back before the frequency was eventually used to launch Newstalk ZB into the Nelson region. The station began broadcasting on 90.4FM in the greater Tasman Bay and Golden Bay areas.

In 1996 the station was sold to The Radio Network after Radio New Zealand sold their commercial operation including all stations part of Classic Hits. Programming on the station was reduced to 4 hours a day of local programming from 1998 onwards like all other Classic Hits branded stations, programming outside of breakfast originates from the Classic Hits Auckland studios.

In 2002 the station was renamed to Classic Hits 89.8 & 90.4 and Classic Hits 89.8 in 2006 after the station began broadcasting only on 89.8FM.

Radio Nelson Limited was struck off the New Zealand Companies Office Register in 2008.

However, in 2012, an application was made to the Companies office, to register Radio Nelson as a newly incorporated company, by former Radio Network Employee, Murray Leaning.

Negotiations are underway between a group of local investors and the owners of a radio frequency in the district, with a view to Radio Nelson recommencing broadcasts as a private radio station in 2014.