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.

Compass FM logo

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.[1][2] From a transmitter atop Mount Grey, the station can be heard over much of North Canterbury, covering the Waimakariri District, much of the Hurunui District and Selwyn District, and in greater Christchurch.[2] Its studio is located in Rangiora and its slogan is "The Voice of North Canterbury".[2]

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.[3][4]

Christchurch and North Canterbury stations

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[5] Station[6] Location[7] Format[8] Airdate[9] Previous stations on frequency
87.6 FM Life FM Christchurch LPFM Contemporary Christian music 2011
87.7 FM Just Country FM Timaru LPFM
87.8 FM Power Hit Radio[10] Christchurch (St Albans/Mairehau) LPFM 2005
87.9 FM Ashgrove FM[11] Rangiora (Ashgrove School) 2009
88.0 FM Rollywood FM[12] Christchurch (Rolleston) LPFM
88.0 FM Flava Christchurch LPFM Hip Hop & R&B 2013 Country FM
2011: Shakey FM
88.1 FM Harmony FM Christchurch LPFM Christian radio 2010
88.3 FM Globe FM[13][14] Christchurch LPFM Contemporary hit radio 2005
88.3 FM The Wave[15] Christchurch (Sumner) LPFM
88.5 FM Volcano Radio Christchurch (Lyttleton) Community 2008
88.6 FM Prime Time Radio (previously Seaside Radio) Christchurch (Bromley) LPFM Community radio 1997
88.8 FM Alpine FM Hanmer Springs LPFM
88.9 FM Mai FM Christchurch (Sugarloaf) Urban contemporary 2011 2010: George FM
89.0 FM Defunct 2009 Christchurch (Sugarloaf) 1999 1999 - 2009: The Edge
89.2 FM Defunct 2009 Christchurch (Sumner Head) 1989 1989 - 2009 91ZM
89.3 FM Radio Hauraki Christchurch (Sumner Head) Active rock 2009
89.7 FM Radio New Zealand Concert Christchurch (Sugarloaf) Classical music 1984
90.5 FM Tahu FM (formally Te Reo Iriraki O Otautahi, 90.5 Tahu FM, Mai FM) Christchurch (Sugarloaf) Urban contemporary 1991
90.9 FM ZM Christchurch (Sumner) Contemporary hit radio 2009 ZM was previously on 89.2FM in Sumner
91.3 FM ZM (formally ZMFM, 91ZM) Christchurch (Sugarloaf) Contemporary hit radio 1986
92.1 FM More FM Christchurch (Sugarloaf, Lyttelton Tunnel) Adult contemporary music 1992
92.9 FM The Sound (formally Solid Gold) Christchurch (Sugarloaf) Classic rock 2001 1986 - 2001 C93FM (formally known as 93 Gold, Classic Hits 93FM)
93.7 FM The Rock Christchurch (Sugarloaf, Lyttelton Tunnel) Active rock 1999 1992 - 1999: Radio Pacific
94.5 FM The Breeze (formally Lite FM) Christchurch (Sugarloaf, Lyttelton Tunnel) Easy listening 1998 1994 - 1998: Easy Listening i94.5
94.9 FM More FM Christchurch (Southshore) Hot Adult Contemporary 1992
95.3 FM The Edge Christchurch (Sugarloaf) Contemporary hit radio 2009 Previously on 89.0FM
96.1 FM Jacked FM (previously The Attic, Mode, Alpha, Splat, Blush) Sugarloaf NZBS Campus radio
96.5 FM The Hits 97.7 (formally Classic Hits 97.7) Christchurch (Southshore) Adult contemporary music 1993
96.9 FM Plains FM Christchurch (Sugarloaf) Community Radio 1988
97.7 FM The Hits (formally B98 FM, Classic Hits) Christchurch (Sugarloaf, Lyttelton Tunnel) Adult contemporary music 1991
98.5 FM RDU (previously Radio U, UFM) Christchurch ((Huntsbury Hill, Marleys Hill, Ilam, Sumner Head) Community radio 1990s
99.3 FM Radio Live Christchurch (Sugarloaf) Talk radio 2006 1993 - 1997: Life 99.3FM
1997 - 1999: Southern Star
1999 - 2005: Channel Z
2005 - 2006: Kiwi FM
99.7 FM Radio New Zealand Concert Christchurch (Southshore) Classical music 1984
100.1 FM Newstalk ZB Christchurch (Sugarloaf) Talk radio 2011
100.9 FM Voice of South Pole Christchurch (Huntsbury Hill) Chinese talk radio 2008
101.7 FM Radio New Zealand National Christchurch (Sugarloaf) Public radio 2004
102.5 FM Kiwi FM (01/04/2015 Now off air.) Christchurch (Sugarloaf) Independent/NZ music 2006
104.1 FM Niu FM Christchurch (Sugarloaf) Urban contemporary 2002
104.9 FM Compass FM 104.9 Amberley (Mt Grey) Community Radio 2011
105.7 FM Pulzar FM Christchurch (Sugarloaf, Huntsbury Hill) Dance radio 2009
106.5 FM Radio Hauraki Christchurch (Sugarloaf) Alternative rock 2008
106.8 FM Beep FM[16] Christchurch LPFM
106.9 FM George FM Christchurch LPFM Dance radio
107.0 FM Thunder FM[17] Christchurch (Rolleston/Lincoln) LPFM Contemporary hit radio
107.1 FM TopCat FM 107.1 FM Christchurch LPFM Community Radio 2012
107.2 FM Raceway FM Christchurch LPFM
107.3 FM VFM Aoraki Polytechnic Christchurch CBD LPFM
107.3 FM Bay Radio[18] Akaroa LPFM
107.5 FM Good Music 107.5FM (previously Radio Redwood) Christchurch LPFM Oldies 1997
107.5 FM Radio Addington[19] Christchurch (Addington) LPFM
107.5 FM Radio Redwood[20] Christchurch LPFM
107.7 FM Flava Christchurch LPFM Urban contemporary 2013
107.3 Gospel Radio Kaiapoi LPFM Community Radio 1998
107.7 FM Just FM[21] Kaiapoi LPFM 1998
107.7 FM Rotten Radio[22] Lyttelton LPFM
540 AM Radio Rhema Christchurch (Marshland) Christian Radio 2015
612 AM Southern Star Christchurch (Philpotts Rd) Christian Radio 1993
675 AM Radio New Zealand National Christchurch (Gebbies Pass) Public radio
738 AM Magic Christchurch (Marshland) Music format 2015 1999 - 2005: Radio Pacific
2005 - 2015: Radio Live
963 AM Southern Star/AM Network Christchurch (Gebbies Pass) Christian contemporary music 1990s
1017 AM Newstalk ZB Christchurch (Marshland) Talk radio 2011 2002 - 2002: Canterbury On Air
2003 - 2010: Radio Hauraki
1098 AM Newstalk ZB Christchurch (Marshland) Talk radio 1994 Until 1994: 3ZB
1260 AM Radio Trackside (formally BSport, Radio Pacific) Christchurch (Marshland) Horse racing Radio 2005 1970s - 1990: Radio Avon
1990 - 1999: C93FM
1999 - 2005 Solid Gold
1323 AM Defunct 1996 Christchurch (Marshland) 1978 - 1986: 3ZM (broadcast on 1400AM 1973 - 1978)
1988 - 1994: Aotearoa Radio
1995 - 1996: Radio Liberty
1413 AM Radio Ferrymead Christchurch (Ferrymead Park) Oldies 1980s
1503 AM Radio Sport (previously Sports Roundup) Christchurch (Marshland) Sports radio 1994 1980s - mid 1990s New Zealand's Rhema
1593 AM Coast Christchurch (Marshland) Oldies 2004 Late 1990s: 88 Country
2001 - 2003: The Wolf
2003 - 2004: Easy Listening i

Mid Canterbury Stations

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

Frequency[23] Station[24] Location[25] Format[26] Airdate[27] Previous stations on frequency
89.3 FM The Hits (formally known as Classic Hits, 3ZE) Ashburton Adult contemporary music 2001
92.5 FM Hokonui Ashburton Adult contemporary music 2014 2001 - 2014: The Hits (formally known as Classic Hits, 3ZE)
93.3 FM The Edge Ashburton Contemporary hit radio 2002
94.9 FM Port FM (formally Fox FM) Ashburton Adult hits
95.7 FM The Sound (formally Solid Gold) Ashburton Classic rock 2002
96.5 FM Radio Hauraki Ashburton Classic rock 2014 2001 - 2014: The Hits (formally known as Classic Hits, 3ZE)
97.3 FM The Rock Ashburton Active rock 2002
98.1 FM Newstalk ZB Ashburton Talk radio
98.9 FM Port FM (formally Fox FM) Ashburton Adult hits
101.3 FM Radio New Zealand National Ashburton Public Radio 2004
106.1 FM Port FM (formally Fox FM) Ashburton Adult hits
702 AM Radio Sport Ashburton Sports Radio
873 AM Newstalk ZB Ashburton Talk radio 2001 Until 2001: 3ZE

South Canterbury Stations

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

Frequency[28] Station[29] Location[30] Format[31] Airdate[32] Previous stations on frequency
88.1 FM Waimate FM Waimate LPFM
88.4 FM Hospital FM Timaru LPFM
89.1 FM Tahu FM Timaru Urban contemporary 2000
91.5 FM The Rock Timaru Active rock 2001
93.1 FM Port FM Waimate Adult hits
93.4 FM Port FM Twizel Adult hits
95.0 FM Port FM Fairlie Adult hits
95.5 FM The Edge Timaru Pop music 2001
96.3 FM ZM Timaru Contemporary hit radio 2004
97.1 FM The Sound (formally Solid Gold) Timaru Classic rock 2001
97.9 FM Port FM Timaru Adult hits
99.0 FM The Hits 99FM (formally Classic Hits, 99FM, Radio Caroline) Timaru Adult contemporary music 1995
99.8 FM The Edge Twizel Pop music
100.6 FM The Sound Twizel Classic rock
104.6 FM The Rock Twizel Active rock
106.7 FM Just Country FM Timaru LPFM
107.5 FM Hospital FM Timaru LPFM
594 AM New Zealand's Rhema Timaru Christian radio
918 AM Radio New Zealand National Timaru Public radio
981 AM Southern Star Timaru Christian radio
1152 AM Newstalk ZB Timaru Talk radio 2001 1949 - 2001: Radio Caroline, Classic Hits 99FM
1242 AM LiveSport/Radio Trackside (formally BSport, Radio Pacific) Timaru Talk radio 2005
1485 AM Newstalk ZB Twizel Talk radio 2001 1949 - 2001: Radio Caroline, Classic Hits 99FM
1494 AM Radio Sport Timaru Sports radio

References