Third contender for local radio

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 394, 9 July 1991, Page 5

Third contender for local radio

A third Waimarino radio coverage option was put before the Waimarino Community Board last week. The proposal is to set up a station covering Taumarunui, National Park and Whakapapa, Waimarino and Waiouru, and Taihape The proposal was put forward by John Campbell who managed the Ski FM seasonal radio station based at Ohakune two years ago. The Board is not now being asked to choose between the three options that have now been put, they heard at their meeting last Thursday, because New Zealand On Air is now planning to

wait until radio frequency tenders are let later in the year. NZ On Air is proposing to help financially set up a transmitter in the area for a radio link. Mr Campbell said he has been negotiating with Radio New Zealand to buy or lease the Taumarunui station and if successful, he plans to extend its area to cover the area around the mountains and down to Taihape. Broadcasts

would probably include separate breakfast sessions for Taumarunui, Waimarino and Taihape, then a combined broadcast for the rest of the day from the base station, which would probably be at Ohakune. Mr Campbell said he realised the Waimarino Community Board was not now being asked for its preference but thanked them for allowing him to 'put them in the picture'.