Radio Waitaki

Radio Waitaki was a radio station in Oamaru, New Zealand, originally broadcasting on 1395AM. The stations first broadcast was 5 July 1980, with the late John "JR" Ramsay behind the microphone. The stations callsign was 4ZW.

Announcers who made their mark include the late Russ Leadley, Tony Dudley, Charles Pierard, Mike Yardley, Scott Radovanovich, Luke Spittle, Steve Jukes, Mike Plant, Lana Searle, Sarah Van Der Kley, Dave Nicholas, Joel Palmer, Becky Morgan, Finley Brentwood and Sam Wilson.

Past station managers include Lyall Flett (first manager), Chris Rowland, Roy Woodward, Phil Gully, Phil Stephens, Stella Nicholson, Nigel Newberry, Dan Lewis, Aaron Gillions and Gary Watling.

In 1998 Radio Waitaki became part of the Community Radio Network with all programming outside of the breakfast show being fed from a central studio originally based in Taupo. In 2001 all Community Radio Network stations became part of the Classic Hits FM network with programming outside of the breakfast show based from Auckland. At this point the station became known as Classic Hits Radio Waitaki. A short time later Classic Hits began broadcasting on 98.4 FM, with the original 1395AM frequency becoming Newstalk ZB.

On April 28 2014 all stations part of the Classic Hits network were rebranded as The Hits. A networked breakfast presented by Pauline Gillespie and Grant Kareama was introduced to almost all The Hits stations with the former breakfast announcer moved to present a 6 hour show between 9am and 3pm. The local 9am-3pm show is presented by Josh McIntyre. Josh McIntyre also presents the local 9am-3pm show for The Hits in Timaru.