Radio Hauraki

Radio Hauraki is a New Zealand radio network, specialising in AOR and classic rock. It was the first commercial radio station in NZ and operated illegally to break the monopoly held by the government. It was originally formed as a pirate station in the Hauraki Gulf in a famous and historic story that saw the loss of one life.

In late 1966, the 'Tiri', the boat chosen to carry the transmitter, anchored in the Hauraki Gulf outside the 3-mile exclusion zone, despite government efforts to stop it from sailing. The transmitter broadcasted on the frequency of 1480 kHz, which was well outside the range of frequencies used by the NZBC. During the next 4 years, the Radio Hauraki crew would endure adverse weather conditions, fatigue, and continued efforts to shut down the station.

In mid-1970, the state monopoly on radio frequencies was broken, when Radio Hauraki was allowed to broadcast on land. During transit back to shore, announcer Rick Grant was lost overboard.

Radio Hauraki began FM transmission in 1990.