What is Toroa Radio?
Toroa Radio is Otago’s Community Access radio station. We broadcast throughout the Otago region on 1575 kHz AM, putting real people on the radio.
Why Toroa Radio?
Access Radio is supposed to represent the community it comes from. In Dunedin, the one thing we have which is totally unique to us is the albatross colony at Taiaroa Head. This is the only mainland albatross colony in the southern hemisphere, and the Royal Albatrosses found there are consequently very important to local people. In Māori, albatross is toroa, and we chose this word to signify our connection with our city and its people. Also to avoid the unfortunate connotations of albatross, thanks to Mr. Coleridge.
What is Community Access Radio?
According to section 36C of the Broadcasting Act (1989) New Zealand On Air has a responsibility:
“…to ensure that a range of broadcasts is available to provide for the interests of: i) women; and ii) youth; and iii) children; and iv) persons with disabilities; and v) minorities in the community including ethnic minorities and to encourage a range of broadcasts that reflects the diverse religious and ethical beliefs of New Zealanders…”
Toroa Radio, along with the 10 other Access stations in New Zealand, exists to serve this directive. We get funding from NZ On Air proportional to the number of hours of 36C content (programme hours from the groups above) we broadcast. This makes up about 60% of our annual income. We also have an obligation to be non-profit, broadcast programmes by, for and about our local communities.
What does this mean?
It means that we’re different from any other kind of broadcaster.
For example:
- As much of our broadcast content as possible is local. In contrast, most commercial stations have local announcers, but content (music, news etc.) which comes from a central office.
- We don’t have any advertisements. Broadcasters play ads for sponsors in the course of the shows that they sponsor, but you’ll hear no ads at any other time.
- None of our announcers are paid – they’re all volunteers or pay for the privilege of broadcasting. When you listen to Access Radio you have the unique privilege of listening to real people who genuinely believe what they’re saying.
- Access Radio stations have no editorial control over the programmes they broadcast, except to keep people within broadcasting standards. Once you pay for airtime, that time is yours to do with as you choose. This means that Access Radio stations represent one of the last bastions of genuine free speech (as opposed to the right swear or transmit dirty pictures, which is a bit trivial in the grand scheme of things).
- We have no commercial imperative (no-one’s paying us) to play any particular kind of music. That means we can play artists on the basis of merit rather than how commercially viable we think they are.
Who broadcasts on Toroa Radio?
Toroa Radio has an incredible range of programmes from:
- Social/public service organisations like the Dunedin Public Library.
- Disability and mental health support groups like CCS, the Tapestry Clubhouse and the Community Care Trust.
- Health promotion groups like the Asthma Society and New Zealand College of Midwives.
- Vocational organisations like the New Zealand Society of Authors.
- Religious organisations from various Christian denominations, as well as Buddhists and Falun Dafa practitioners.
- Ethnic communities who want to broadcast in their own languages.
- Individuals with a passion for a particular cause or issue (or even just a record collection they want to share).
How do I get involved? How do I get my group on air?
You can call the station on (03) 471 6161, or contact the manager (Hugh) at manager AT toroaradio DOT co DOT nz (just replace the words in capitals with the actual “@” and “.” characters).
How much will it cost?
There are two costs to broadcasting with Toroa Radio:
- Everyone who broadcasts with us needs to be a member of our Broadcasters’ Society. This costs $30 a year for an individual and $50 for a group. Individuals can also choose to be Associate (non-voting) members for $20 a year. Associate members can only broadcast volunteer shifts with no promotion, and minimal choice as to music, but are not charged for airtime. Money from subscriptions goes to the Otago Community Broadcasters’ Society, which represents broadcasters and organises social events and fundraisers.
- Airtime costs $15 + GST per half hour. Shows may be any length, and run daily, weekly or fortnightly. You can also choose to repeat shows (eg. every second show could be a repeat of the previous one) at half price. You may have a commercial sponsor who pays for your airtime in exchange for on-air recognition. This kind of deal is organised with the assistance of the Station Manager. Money charged for airtime goes to the Hills Radio Trust, which is the Station’s governance body, and a charitable trust.
I’m a musician – will you guys promote my CD for me?
Yes and no. You are more than welcome to send us a copy of your CD, and if we like it we’ll probably put it on air. This is particularly true for Dunedin musicians, as we aim to have as much local content as possible. However, we don’t directly promote any of our music, as that’s kind of counter to our function. What we will do is make our broadcasters aware of your CD, and point them in the right direction to contact you for interviews etc. if they’re interested.
Toroa Radio can be contacted using the following details, or to contact us by e-mail.
Postal Address:
Toroa Radio
Dunedin Community House
301 Moray Place
Dunedin
New Zealand
Phone: (03) 471 6161
Fax: (03) 471 6162
admin@toroaradio.co.nz
