The story of Radio in New Zealand 1921-1996

Resounding Radio is the largest history project ever undertaken by Radio New Zealand. It was made possible by funding assistance from the Broadcasting History Trust. While parts of New Zealand's radio story have been told from time to time, this is the first comprehensive coverage extending over the period 1921 to 1996.

In making the ten part series, long-time producer Jack Perkins not only drew on archives sources but also recorded much new material. The eclectic nature of research undertaken for the series was demonstrated when 1930s NZBS broadcaster Lawrie Constable discovered an invaluable set of acetate recordings which laid fifty years in his London attic.

As well as providing lively and engaging listening, Resounding Radio also invites the attention of researchers. Please see the comprehensive list of contents with running times and sources.

We take much pleasure in recommending Resounding Radio as a valuable contribution to our 20th century history.

  • A Stirring Thrills the Air: The broad picture 1921-1935

    23 Apr 2000

    We quickly embrace the first electronic mass-medium. A few hundred wire-fiddling enthusiasts in the early 1920s grow, even through the depression years, to 152,000 licence holders by 1935. Audio

    This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

  • The On-Air Game: The story of radio sport 1921-1996

    30 Apr 2000

    From the earliest days sports broadcasters exploit radio's immediacy. Add advances in technology and talkback, and sport becomes a hugely popular radio mainstay. Audio

    This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

  • Politics, War and Progress: The broad picture 1935-1949

    7 May 2000

    The Labour government's take-over of radio in 1936 sets an agenda of expansion interrupted only by war. Audio

    This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

  • Theatre of the Mind: The story of drama and serials

    14 May 2000

    We demonstrate a voracious appetite for overseas-produced soap operas but we also make drama which wins awards around the world. Audio

    This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

  • The Cinderella Service: The story of the news

    21 May 2000

    The ugly sisters of government control, newspaper interests and public apathy hold back an independent news service until 1962. But within a few years the 'Cinderella Service' becomes the belle of the… Audio

    This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

  • The Golden Years: The broad picture 1949 -1970

    28 May 2000

    Technical and programme innovation along with a broadening cultural role for radio mark the post-war years. Audio

    This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

  • Tuning Up: The story of the YC stations, Concert Programme and the Symphony Orchestra

    4 Jun 2000

    We launch a National Orchestra in 1946 and adopt the BBC's Third programme model to showcase music, arts and letters. Audio

    This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

  • Te Reo o te Tangata Whenua: The story of Māori radio

    11 Jun 2000

    For much of radio history 'The voice of the people of the land' is only given token recognition; yet Māori entertainers and personalities have enhanced radio from the beginning. Audio

    This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

  • Hauraki at Sea: The beginnings of private radio

    18 Jun 2000

    The dramatic story of the Hauraki pirates and their stormy start both ashore and at sea in the late 1960s. Audio

    This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

  • Public vs Private: The broad picture 1970 - 1996

    25 Jun 2000

    Free enterprise and deregulation see the expansion of private radio and public radio is threatened. Audio

    This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

Radios

New Sound Archives logo black
Archival Audio from: Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero

External links

Sources and references

Blackburn, Adrian (1974) The Shoestring Pirates. Auckland, Hodder and Stoughton

Collins, Ken G. (1967) Broadcasting grave and gay, Christchurch, Caxton Press

Day, Patrick (1994) The radio years: a history of broadcasting in New Zealand, Auckland, Auckland University Press and Broadcasting History Trust, (forthcoming), Voice and vision: a history of broadcasting in New Zealand V.2

Downes, Peter Collected Papers. (private Collection).

Downes, Peter and Harcourt, Peter (1976) Voices In The Air: radio broadcasting in New Zealand: a documentary. Wellington, Methuen and Radio New Zealand

Gregory, R. J. (1985) Politics and broadcasting: before and beyond the NZBC, Palmerston North, The Dunmore Press

Hay, David Robert (1999) Broadcasting Policy Advice 1986-88: a critical evaluation of New Zealand's broadcasting policy framework, (Unpublished MPP thesis, Victoria University of Wellington )

Lemke, Claudia (1995) Maori involvement in sound recording and broadcasting 1919 to 1958 (Unpublished MA thesis, University of Auckland)

Mackay, Ian K. (1953) Broadcasting In New Zealand, Wellington, Reed

Sullivan, Jim (1987) A history of broadcasting news, Timaru, Radio New Zealand Archives

Tonks, Joy (1996) Bravo! The NZSO at 50, .Auckland, Exisle Publishing

Watson, Chris and Shuker, Roy (1998) In the public good? Censorship in New Zealand, Palmerston North, The Dunmore Press

Wilson, Helen (ed) (1994) The radio book 1994, Christchurch, New Zealand Broadcasting School, Christchurch Polytechnic.

Sound Sources

Beatson, Donna (199?) A history of Maori radio, New Zealand Broadcasting School, Christchurch Polytechnic.

Downes, Peter, et al (1975) A history of radio (5 parts). Sound Archives! Nga Taonga Korero

Jensen, Owen A history of the YC Stations and the Concert Programme, Sound Archives Nga Taonga Korero

Lee, Michael (1996) A history of radio news, 'Insight' documentary. Sound Archives! Nga Taonga Korero

Owen, Alwyn and Perkins Jack Spectrum documentary series 1972-1996, National Radio Sound Archives! Nga Taonga Korero

Rose, Maxine (1996), A history of the Symphony Orchestra, Sound Archives! Nga Taonga Korero

Sullivan, Jim (199?) The news before the news, Sound Archives! Nga Taonga Korero

Twenty-five years between (a history of radio produced in the early 1950s), Sound Archives Nga Taonga Korero

Contents of the programmes

The contents listed by running time, detail of material and name of the person speaking, where applicable.

Part 1: A stirring thrills the air - the broad picture 1921-1935

Part 2: The on-air game - The story of radio sport 1921-1996

Part 3: Politics, war and progress  - The broad picture 1935 - 1949

Part 4: 'Theatre of the mind' - The story of drama and the serials

Part 5: The Cinderella service - The story of news

Part 6: The golden years - The broad picture 1949 to 1970

Part 7: Tuning up - The story of the YC stations, Concert Programme and the Symphony Orchestra

Part 8: Te Reo o te Tangata Whenua 'The voice of the people of the land' - the story of Maori radio

Part 9: Hauraki at sea - The beginning of private radio

Part 10: Public versus private - The broad picture 1970 - 1996