After 35 years broadcasting on the AM band, Radio 531PI is set to move to FM frequency 102.2
Long-running Pacific Islands radio station 531PI will soon be broadcasting across Auckland on a new FM frequency.
The change has come about due to the dismantling of two giant Radio New Zealand (RNZ) radio masts in West Auckland, which carry the broadcast signal of several AM radio stations across the region.
According to mediumwave.info, the masts carry 15 AM broadcasts for stations including Radio Waatea, Humm, BBC World service, Radio Tarana, Radio Samoa and Chinese Voices.
It is understood RNZ have decided to dismantle both masts as, combined, they are now over 100 years old. The plan is to build a new mast on just one site, that’s likely to carry fewer stations.
Speaking to Bryan Clark, Broadcast News Editor, NZ DX Times, RNZ Chief technology officer Mark Bullen says, “RNZ has a primary funding to create public media content for audiences… RNZ is not established as an infrastructure provider to other broadcasters who have independently secured AM licenses from the Crown.”
In the meantime 531PI will shift to an available FM frequency for the next five years after which time the frequency, along with others, will be up for renewal.
Don Mann, CEO for the Pacific Media Network (PMN) which runs 531PI, says his team are working hard to ensure a smooth transition over the coming days.
“We’ve got to move quickly, 10 days to do it for the 16th of April switch over. We have been working on the move for more than a year alongside the Ministry of Culture and Heritage and the Ministry for Pacific Peoples.”
Don says, there are pros and cons with the move, while the AM frequency can broadcast across a wider distance, the sound quality of the FM frequency is better.
And while he understands RNZ’s decision, he says it was important for PMN’s owners, the National Pacific Media Trust, staff and Pacific people to ensure that 531PI was able to remain on the airwaves.
“That work was done over 35 years. There was a significant body of work done by our Pacific leaders in the 1990s to secure the 531 frequency. As CEO we owe it to them to continue the legacy and work they did to keep it going,” Mann says.
While digital media has become a powerful means for many to consume media content via streaming platforms, he says traditional radio continues to be an important source for the older Pacific demographic and believes it still holds a strong place in the community.
“There is this incredible stickiness and intimacy of radio, very much a personal relationship with the host; the hosts are not just broadcasters they are part of the community. We saw that during COVID, radio is still important,” Mann says.
PMN has been utilising their social media platforms and radio stations to keep the community informed of the upcoming changes.
Don says this is another proud moment in Pacific broadcasting and understands the responsibility that comes with it. He acknowledges that while 531 moves to 102.2 FM the brand remains the same.
“The 531pi brand is not going anywhere.” Auckland 531 carries on.
Business as usual.”
Radio 531PI will be going live in Auckland on 102.2 FM from April 16.
