Media Releases

RNZ sells Whitireia property to Ngāti Toa Rangatira

Released at 12:11 pm on 17 October 2025

RNZ has sold a 53 hectare property at Whitireia near Wellington to the Ngāti Toa iwi.  

As part of the transaction RNZ will lease back twelve hectares of land and buildings to continue its AM transmission operations. 

The deal was formally marked between RNZ and Ngāti Toa Rangitira at an event at Whitireia today. 

RNZ Chief Executive and Editor-in-Chief Paul Thompson has welcomed the sale and thanked Ngāti Toa for the close working relationship which has developed over recent years. 

“We are pleased to have reached this outcome and wish Ngāti Toa well for its future stewardship,” he said.  

RNZ started working with Ngāti Toa Rangatira on the future sale in 2020 when they jointly signed a MoU. 

RNZ consolidated its AM transmission assets to a single tower at Whitireia as part of its long-term AM infrastructure project, freeing the way for a land sale. 

Ngāti Toa Rangatira had a first right of refusal on the property under the Ngāti Toa Rangatira Claim Settlement Act 2014 and Public Works Act. As part of the MoU each party conducted their own expert valuation of the land.

 The purchase price is $4,911,815 (plus GST if any). RNZ proceeds from the land sale will contribute to the AM management plan and other capital expenditure initiatives.