Radio New Zealand. 2008-09-24. 60 years of shortwave broadcasting.

On September 27, the Dominion Day holiday in 1948, a short-wave service was launched by Prime Minister, Peter Fraser. It took the name 'Radio New Zealand' and was part of the New Zealand Broadcasting Service (NZBS). Until 1990, the station broadcast on two 7.5kW transmitters from Titahi Bay which had been left behind by the US military after World War II. The service was aimed at listeners in the South Pacific and Australia but was also heard DX (short-wave) listeners across the world. Regular programmes included 'This Radio Age' by Cleve Costello from 1948; 'Arthur Cushen's CS World'; 'Mailbox' with Christine Cole Catley answering listeners letters; 'Hymns for Sunday' and 'On The March' by Rudi Hill; and 'Song and Story of the Māori'.

A special programme presented by David Ricquish of the New Zealand Heritage Foundation and produced by RNZI's Adrian Sainsbury. It includes the opening announcement by the Prime Minister of day, excerpts from early programmes and interviews with former and current staff.