A brand-new 100 kW transmitter began sending its signals across the Pacific this month as Radio New Zealand entered a new era of commitment to serving its shortwave listeners. Jim Meachen ZL2BHF has that report.

As one of two nations still providing the Pacific region with shortwave radio service, Radio New Zealand has replaced its 33-year-old transmitter in the central North Island with a new one capable of DRM digital and analogue operation. The move is part of the public broadcaster's $4.4 million investment in facilities improvements.

New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters was quoted by the Radio World website as affirming the vital role shortwave still places since the service was launched in 1948. He said: [quote] "Shortwave is the most certain system there is to make sure that in a crisis, tsunami or cyclone, we can get through." [endquote] The minister marked inauguration of the transmitter along with dignitaries from the shortwave service area which includes the Cook Islands, Samoa, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands. There are 22 broadcast partners throughout the region using RNZ's DRM digital streams by rebroadcasting them locally without compromising audio quality.

Following Australia's shutdown of its shortwave transmitters in 2017, New Zealand and China have become the only two providing the region with shortwave services.

More Information - https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/502092/rnz-marks-75-years-of-broadcasting-shortwave-into-the-pacific