Wellington [NZ]

The Radio Heritage Foundation is reminding Wellingtonians of the 80th anniversary of commercial radio in the capital on May 20 with a special feature on 2ZW 'The Voice of the Capital City' at its website

On May 20,1931 along came the bright, fresh and comparatively breezy sound of 2ZW broadcasting from the still standing Nimmo's Building on Willis Street, and adding competition to the government's only station in town, 2YA.

Radio 2ZW was the first of only two commercial radio stations licenced to broadcast in New Zealand at the time, and lasted only a few years before being compulsorily closed down in a wave of government nationalisation of the airwaves.

Says spokesman David Ricquish "listeners in the metro area today have some 30 full power radio stations to choose from, along with some 40 additional low power FM radio stations serving local communities in Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt, Porirua and Wellington City."

From just two radio stations in 1931 to nearly seventy stations 80 years later is a reminder of how popular radio has become for Wellingtonians.

"Businesses in Wellington take it for granted they can advertise on a range of radio stations suiting their budget, target market and purpose today, but imagine having just one station as was the case 80 years ago" adds Mr Ricquish.

ENDS

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