RADIO HAURAKI HISTORY

HOW FOUR YOUNG NEW ZEALANDERS CHANGED THE COURSE OF BROADCASTING IN NEW ZEALAND back in 1966

A website created by ex Radio Hauraki staff to keep history alive

What we dID

Created an Offshore Radio Station

In 1966 there were no private radio stations in New Zealand. The exception was 4XD in Dunedin and was operated by the Otago Radio Association as a non-commercial and voluntarily-run radio station. The remaining stations in New Zealand at that time were all controlled by the NZBC "New Zealand Broadcasting Commission" It was now time for a change. Four young entrepreneurs by the names of David Gapes, Derek Lowe, Denis O'Callahan, and Chris Parkinson took on the task and made it happen. Sadly it took four long years but in the end the New Zealand Government finally gave in and issued a commercial licence to Radio Hauraki.

The Beginning 1966

The first thing was to find a seaworthy vessel that would withstand rough days at sea. They purchased the Tiri and tedious work took place to make her seaworthy, Obtain and fit the transmitter including a small studio.

The Effort Involved

Untold amount of work was required to fit out the small ship and obtain a marine certificate. Naturally the government were never going to approve such a document regardless of the condition. Therefore a decision was made to sneak out after endless issues with the law.

The Final Outcome

Four years of turmoil combined with four years of fun ended with a bitter sweet solution. The loss of a well respected DJ on the final voyage home to a land based licence to final start broadcasting legally from Auckland city.

why we did it

The Public Wanted Private Radio

A broadcasting monopoly existed in New Zealand and these four brave people decided it was time for a change. Within a very short period of time the general public were behind them. There were public meetings held in the Auckland Town Hall and tons of assistance from great New Zealand business owners and others willing to help. Even the budding disc jockeys were down at the Auckland Wharf lending a hand where the "Tiri" was being fitted out. The current state of broadcasting was archaic and well behind the times, dreary music and no variation nationwide.

We wanted to bring Change

Yes the guys wanted to bring change to the broadcasting industry, but never realised the goal would take so much time and energy. Despite the opposing government officials, the storms at sea, the loss of the Antenna overboard on day one and the requirement of another boat due to a storm destroying the Tiri, they fought on and created "Tiri II" and continued with stamina and finally reached their goal.

Who they were

FOUR YOUNG NEW ZEALANDERS

David Gapes

Managing Director

David Gapes was a young reporter based in Wellington, working for a tabloid over a period of six years. David worked in Sydney for a period of time for an Australian newspaper where he first heard of efforts in Europe to set up private radio. Once again the monopolies were at work there too.

Derek Lowe

Director

“We made lots of friends.
We made lots of waves.
We made history.”

Derek Lowe, another background in journalism and a significant figure in radio from those early days with Hauraki.

Denis O"Callahan

Denis O'Callahan

Technical Director

The Technical brain behind this venture. Denis was well trained in electronics, his understanding of transmission was second to none and he virtually rebuilt the famous AM transmitter that was heard throughout New Zealand on 1480 "Top of the Dial"

Chris Parkinson

Studio Engineer and Disc Jockey

One of the greatest voices ever heard on New Zealand radio. Not only was Chris the voice he was also a very competent electronics engineer. Chris built the two famous audio mixers from scratch that lived on the ship and the land based studio. Sadly Chris passed away at the age of 74.

The Location of Radio Hauraki 1966

The Hauraki Gulf where the broadcasting took place

The Tiri at sea