RNZ Pacific’s transmitter 1 replacement project underway

Work has started to decommission RNZ Pacific‘s shortwave transmitter 1 at its site on New Zealand’s North Island.

This 100-kilo-watt transmitter was installed at Rangitaiki, Taupo in 1989.

In 2022, RNZ received funding to construct a new transmitter for RNZ Pacific, to ensure the service’s future.

Until the new transmitter project is completed, RNZ Pacific will continue to broadcast through its transmitter 2 at the Rangitaiki site.

The installation of the new Ampegon transmitter will begin in late January 2024.

RNZ Pacific has apologised for any inconvenience this transition may cause to our on-air listeners around the world. The broadcaster is aiming to minimise service disruptions to its on-air audiences, and partner stations in the Pacific region.

RNZ Pacific can still be heard via satellite, and its content will still be available to download or livestream through its website http://rnzi.com.

​Image: RNZ’s Transmission Engineer Specialist, Stephen White, standing next to RNZ’s transmitter 1. Mr White is leading the project to decommission transmitter 1. Work to install the new transmitter will start in January 2024 

Image courtesy: RNZ