Radio Hauraki
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Radio broadcasting |
| Founded | 1966 |
| Headquarters | Auckland , New Zealand |
Area served | New Zealand |
| Products | Radio broadcasting |
| Parent | NZME Radio |
| Website | www |
Radio Hauraki is a New Zealand-based rock music radio broadcaster that began operations in 1966 as the pioneering private commercial station of the contemporary era. Initially functioning outside legal boundaries, it aimed to disrupt the state-run New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation monopoly. Up until 2012, its playlist combined classic rock and mainstream rock genres; however, in 2013, it transitioned to focus on modern rock and alternative rock spanning the previous 25 to 30 years. From 2019 onward, there has been a resurgence in the airplay of classic and progressive rock. The station’s main offices and studios are situated at 2 Graham Street within the Auckland CBD, operating as one of eight stations under the umbrella of NZME Radio.
Following the government's shutdown of private broadcasters after World War II, Radio Hauraki emerged as a pirate radio venture based in the Hauraki Gulf, established specifically to challenge the state monopoly. This undertaking entailed considerable hazards, including fatal incidents.
Founding period
The inception of the station was driven by journalists who were frustrated with NZBC’s dominance and its broadcasting policies. Although private broadcasters could submit license requests, these were consistently denied by the New Zealand Broadcasting Service (NZBS). A consortium comprising David Gapes, Derek Lowe, Ian Magan, Chris Parkinson, and Denis O'Callahan—with legal counsel—created a private initiative to transmit from international waters, thereby circumventing government jurisdiction over terrestrial radio and spectrum regulation managed by the NZ Post Office. This collective ultimately dismantled the broadcasting monopoly, enabling the growth of private radio across New Zealand.
They acquired a vessel but repeatedly had their warrant of fitness (WOF) applications rejected by the Marine Department. In 1966, they departed without this certification but were apprehended after being spotted near an Auckland Viaduct drawbridge. The judiciary ruled in their favor, permitting them to anchor their transmitter ship, the Tiri, in the Hauraki Gulf beyond territorial limits. Operating on 1480 kHz—outside NZBC’s assigned frequencies—they overcame technical difficulties such as mast damage caused by strong winds and officially commenced transmissions on 4 December 1966 with pirate announcer Bob Leahy at the helm.
Pirate operations
Over the next two years, those aboard the Tiri endured severe weather conditions, exhaustion, and ongoing efforts to terminate their broadcasts. On 28 January 1968, during adverse weather while entering Whangaparapara Harbour on Great Barrier Island, the Tiri ran aground on rocks. Disc jockey Paul Lineham delivered live coverage during their final transmission: "Hauraki News: Hauraki crew is abandoning ship. This is Paul Lineham aboard the 'Tiri'. Good Night." The vessel was subsequently towed back to Auckland, where its broadcasting equipment was recovered; however, the Tiri itself was irreparable. Four days later, it was succeeded by the Kapuni, which was renamed Tiri II. A month after losing their original ship, Radio Hauraki resumed transmissions from international waters.
In April 1968, during the same storm that caused the Wahine disaster, Tiri II was again beached at Whangaparapara Harbour. Repairs were completed swiftly, allowing it to return to sea within five days. Between that time and June 1968, Tiri II ran aground at Uretiti Beach and faced multiple inspections for broadcasting within New Zealand territorial waters. Shortly before Christmas 1968, Radio Hauraki became New Zealand’s inaugural 24-hour radio broadcaster. Programming was not live; instead, shows were pre-recorded onto reel-to-reel tapes in half-hour segments approximately one week prior to airing, presenting challenges for timely news and weather reporting.
The Tiri was owned by AG Frankham Ltd and registered as a barge. Following its grounding at Whangaparapara, it was laid up near Whangarei. The rescue vessel Marauder was owned by Bill Gibbs and Tryphena. The Kapuni, also under AG Frankham Ltd ownership, operated as Tiri II from 1968 through 1970 before being laid up on Rotoroa Island in the Hauraki Gulf.
Legal radio
In the middle of 1970, New Zealand terminated its government monopoly on radio frequencies, enabling Radio Hauraki to begin legal land-based broadcasting after spending 1,111 days transmitting from the sea. The station's final pirate broadcast featured a documentary recounting its history and concluded at 10:00 pm as the vessel Tiri II sailed back to Auckland while playing "Born Free." During this journey, announcer Rick Grant tragically went overboard.
On 23 November 1978, Radio Hauraki adjusted its frequency from 1480 kHz to 1476 kHz in response to the AM band spacing revision. The station commenced FM broadcasts in 1990 at 99.0FM; subsequently, the 1476 kHz frequency was taken over by a community organization for the BBC World Service. By the late 1990s, Radio Hauraki expanded its reach throughout North Island and entered South Island markets including Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill by 2003. Bob Leahy, a seasoned former pirate broadcaster, continued as a newsreader until 2009—nearly four decades after helping establish the station.
Following several changes in ownership, Radio Hauraki is currently managed by NZME Radio as a nationwide network. Up until 2012, the station's playlist combined classic and mainstream rock from the 1960s onward. In 2013, it pivoted towards modern and alternative rock spanning the last 25 years with a refreshed tagline: "It's Different." Present-day hosts feature well-known figures such as Jeremy Wells, Mikey Havoc, Leigh Hart, Jason Hoyte, Steve Simpson, and Tim Batt. These strategic adjustments reportedly contributed to a notable increase in audience numbers. A feature film portraying Radio Hauraki's formative years, titled 3 Mile Limit, was released in 2014.
Former hosts
Among the distinguished past presenters at Radio Hauraki are Len McChesney, Christopher Parkinson, Ross Goodwin, Pat Courtenay, Paddy O'Donnell, Bob Leahy, Mike Parkinson, Gavin Comber, Dave White, Robert Taylor, Thane Kirby (Duke of Rock), Dave Gray, Ian Johnston, Barry Knight (Simeon), Aaron Ironside, Ian Ferguson, Paul Lineham, Lynnaire Johnston, Rick Grant, Colin Broadley, Carl Olsen, Keith Ashton, Andy Faulkner, Michael Gammon, Trudy Rana, Phil Gifford, John Hawkesby, Ian Magan, Leah Panapa, Brian Strong, Peter Telling, Dean Lonergan, Fred Botica, Mark Perry, Dean Butler, Willy De Witt, Dean Young, Mel Homer, Nick Trott, Nik Brown, Mark Woods, Mike Currie, Sarah McMullan, Martin Devlin, Matt Heath, and Laura McGoldrick.
In 1983 Phillip Schofield served as a host on Radio Hauraki before returning to the United Kingdom in 1985 where he became a prominent television presenter for BBC and ITV. His notable career achievements include being the first continuity announcer for Children's BBC and hosting major programs such as Dancing on Ice and This Morning.
Kevin Black was a former breakfast show host on Radio Hauraki and later worked at Solid Gold from 1997 until 2009. At one point he was New Zealand's highest-paid radio DJ before his passing in 2013.
Frequencies
| Market | Location | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | Kaitaia | 93.2 |
| Bay of Islands | ||
| Whangārei | ||
| Auckland | Auckland | 99.0 |
| Waikato | Hamilton | 96.2 |
| Bay of Plenty | Tauranga | 91.0 |
| Rotorua | Rotorua | 87.8 |
| Gisborne | Gisborne | 105.3 |
| Taupō | Taupō | 92.8 |
| Taranaki | New Plymouth | 90.8 |
| Hawke's Bay | Hawke's Bay | 96.7 |
| Whanganui | Whanganui | 87.6 |
| Manawatu | Palmerston North | 87.6 |
| Wellington | Wellington | 93.3 |
| Nelson | Nelson | 90.4 |
| Marlborough | Blenheim | 98.5 |
| Buller | Westport | 89.3 |
| West Coast | Greymouth | 105.1 |
| Canterbury | Christchurch | 106.5 |
| Sumner | 89.3 | |
| Otago | Dunedin | 1125 |
| 95.8 | ||
| Central Otago | Wānaka | 97.0 |
| Southland | Invercargill | 93.2 |
Violations of Broadcasting Standards
In November 2016, the Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled in favor of complaints against the Hauraki Breakfast Show for infringing privacy and fairness regulations. Deborah Stokes, mother of cricketer Ben Stokes, was deceived into thinking her phone call was not being aired when it was actually transmitted live. Although NZME proposed compensation, the Authority deemed their response insufficient due to misleading actions and the conduct of the show’s hosts. Consequently, Radio Hauraki was mandated to deliver a public apology on air and to pay $4,000 each for compensation and Crown expenses.