ZM Christchurch
| Company type | Radio broadcaster |
|---|---|
| Industry | Broadcasting |
| Predecessor | 3ZM, Radio Nova, ZMFM, 91ZM |
| Founded | 1963 |
| Headquarters | Christchurch , New Zealand |
Area served | Christchurch, Canterbury region |
| Products | Hit music radio broadcasting |
| Owner | New Zealand Media and Entertainment |
ZM Christchurch (previously known as 3ZM, Radio Nova, ZMFM, and 91ZM) is a hit music broadcaster based in Christchurch, New Zealand, operating as part of the ZM network under the ownership of New Zealand Media and Entertainment.
Early years
The Christchurch branch of ZM originated in 1963 under the call sign 3ZM, transmitting on 1400AM and managed by the state-owned Radio New Zealand (then called the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation). In 1973, 3ZM joined forces with Auckland's 1YD and Wellington's 2ZM to create the youth-focused ZM network, with 1YD rebranded as 1ZM.
By 1978, in an effort to rival local competitor Radio Avon, 3ZM adopted the name Radio Nova and switched to an Easy Listening music format similar to Auckland’s Radio i. However, declining audience numbers led the station to revert to its original format and the 3ZM name. That same year, the station shifted frequency to 1323 kHz due to New Zealand’s adjustment of AM band spacing.
FM broadcasting
In 1986, 3ZM made the move to FM broadcasting as ZMFM, following Wellington’s earlier transition in 1985. While initial trial broadcasts occurred on 92.9 MHz, the permanent FM frequency was set at 91.3 MHz; the former frequency was allocated to C93FM. After several months of simulcasting, transmissions on AM ceased; the vacated 1323 kHz frequency was later utilized by Aotearoa Radio and Radio Liberty before being discontinued.
To improve reception in Sumner, which experienced signal issues from the main Sugarloaf transmitter, a supplementary transmitter was installed on 89.2 MHz and later adjusted to 90.9 MHz in 2009. The station is currently marketed as Canterbury’s 91-3ZM.
In 1989, Christchurch’s ZMFM rebranded to 91 Stereo ZM and subsequently 91ZM, while Wellington continued with the ZMFM brand until it switched to 91ZM in 1994. Throughout the 1990s, the ZM identity was widely recognized across New Zealand as 91ZM.
Dunedin and Invercargill 96ZM stations
The first ZM station to be networked was 96ZM Dunedin, which launched on 95.8 MHz in June 1996. An automated system allowed a presenter based at Christchurch’s 91ZM studio to deliver separate voice breaks tailored for both Christchurch and Dunedin listeners. In June 1997, programming extended to Invercargill with the launch of 96ZM Invercargill, also fed from Christchurch. The announcer provided three distinct voice breaks; however, programming across these stations was not fully synchronized, frequently resulting in the last song each hour being cut short as stations aligned their schedules at the top of the hour. Due to significant talk content during breakfast shows, this segment predominantly targeted Christchurch listeners, with hosts referring simply to ZM.
A similar arrangement existed for Manawatu’s 91ZM, which sourced its content from Wellington’s station. By 2000, ZM centralized its network feed from Auckland, aligning Dunedin and Invercargill’s programming with Auckland’s 91ZM instead of Christchurch.
Closure of 91ZM Christchurch studio
In 2000, ZM consolidated into a nationwide network with all stations receiving programming from Auckland. Christchurch maintained local content for an additional year under the slogan "Today's Hit Music for Christchurch." However, in 2001, the Christchurch studio was closed; hosts Jason Royal and producer Jason Wistanley moved to Auckland to present a national drive-time show. Local programming briefly resumed in 2005 with a daytime slot (10 am–3 pm) but was discontinued again in 2009.
Following this network consolidation from 2001 onward, the station adopted a simplified brand identity as ZM, while retaining localized station identifiers such as "91-3ZM."
Former Presenters
Throughout much of the late 1980s until 1992, the breakfast show was hosted by James Daniels and Ken Ellis. They were followed by Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford, known as Si and Phil, who notably expanded the breakfast listenership, establishing it as Christchurch’s leading program before their transition to 92 More FM in 1997. Their successors, Rik Van Dijk, Katrina Smith, and Chuckie Shearer, were unable to sustain the audience levels, which played a part in the 2001 shutdown of Christchurch studios and the move toward networked broadcasts.
- Breakfast (6 am–10 am):
- 1984–1992: Ken Ellis and James Daniels
- 1992: Mark Kennedy and Danny Watson (MAD in the Morning)
- 1992–1997: Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford
- 1997–1998: Rik Van Dijk, Katrina Smith, and Chuckie Shearer
- 1998–2001: Rik Van Dijk and Katrina Smith
- From 2001: Networked from Auckland/Wellington
- Daytime (10 am–2 pm):
- 1990s–1998: Val Robinson
- 1998–2001: Breffni O'Rourke
- 2001–2005: Networked from Auckland
- 2005–2009: Bridget Howard (10 am–3 pm)
- From 2009: Networked from Auckland
- Drive (2 pm–7 pm):
- 1993–1997: Mark Fahey
- 1997–1998: Jason Royal
- 1998: Dallas Gurney
- 1999–2000: Jason Royal
- From 2001: Networked from Auckland
- Nights:
- 1990s: Christian Boston
- 1990s–1998: Willy Macalister
- From 1998: Networked from Auckland
Studio Location
Prior to the 1996 divestment of Radio New Zealand’s commercial stations to The Radio Network, Kent House at 51 Chester Street West served as the base for 91ZM, Newstalk ZB, Classic Hits, alongside Radio New Zealand and the NZ Sound Archives.
The initial studios for 3ZM were situated at 205 Gloucester Street, a location also utilized by other Radio New Zealand services such as National Radio and 3ZB. With television's introduction, these radio facilities were converted by the National Broadcasting Service to accommodate television production, becoming home to CHTV3, which eventually evolved into TVNZ 1.
During the 1980s, TVNZ and Radio New Zealand shared a building on Worcester Street behind Gloucester Street for their TV and radio operations. From the 1990s onwards, The Radio Network headquartered its Christchurch stations there. Although ZM Christchurch ended local programming in 2009, Newstalk ZB Christchurch and Classic Hits 97.7 continued operating from this site until the Christchurch earthquake in 2011. Following the earthquake, The Radio Network permanently relocated. In August 2012, this Worcester Street facility was demolished through New Zealand’s first-ever controlled implosion using explosives.