AM and FM Frequencies

AM and FM Frequencies

We have AM and FM transmitters covering a large percentage of New Zealand.

RNZ National broadcasts on both AM and FM (101FM) in most areas.

RNZ's AM Network broadcasts all sittings of Parliament on AM. When Parliament is not sitting, the transmitters carry the Star network from the Radio Rhema Broadcast Group.

RNZ Frequencies (* = Community operated transmitters)

North Island Frequencies
Kaitaia
  • National AM 837
  • National FM 101.1
  • Concert 100.3
Russell
  • Concert 97.3
Kaikohe
  • National AM 981
  • National FM 101.5
  • Concert 98.3
Whangarei
  • National AM 837
  • National FM 104.4
  • National - Lower Northland 101.2
  • Concert 100.4
  • Concert - Lower Northland 105.2
Auckland
  • National AM 756
  • National FM 101.4
  • Concert 92.6
  • AM Network (Parliament) 882
Hamilton
  • National AM 1143
  • National FM 101.0
  • Concert 91.4
  • AM Network (Parliament) 1494
Tauranga
  • National AM 819
  • National FM 101.4
  • Concert 91.4
  • AM Network (Parliament) 657
Whakatane
  • National FM 101.7
  • Concert 95.3
Tokoroa
  • National AM 729
  • National FM 101.0
Rotorua
  • National AM 1188
  • National FM 101.5
  • Concert 90.3
Te Kuiti (*)
  • National FM 94.0
Taupo
  • National FM 101.6
  • National FM Acacia Bay 104.8
  • Concert 98.4
Gisborne
  • National AM 1314
  • National FM 101.3
  • Concert 97.3
Napier
  • National AM 630
  • National FM 101.5
  • Concert 91.1
  • AM Network (Parliament) 909
New Plymouth
  • National FM 101.2
  • Concert 91.6
Whanganui
  • National AM 567
  • National FM 101.6
  • Concert 99.2
Palmerston North
  • National AM 1449
  • National FM 101.0
  • Concert 89.0
Masterton
  • National AM 1071
  • National FM 101.5
  • Concert 99.1
Kapiti
  • National AM 567
  • National FM 101.5
  • Concert 98.3
Wellington
  • National AM 567
  • National FM 101.3
  • National FM - Hutt Valley/Eastern Bays 101.7
  • Concert 92.5
  • Concert - Hutt Valley/Eastern Bays 96.1
  • AM Network (Parliament) 657
South Island Frequencies
Nelson
  • National AM 1116
  • National FM 101.6
  • Concert 91.2
Takaka/ Golden Bay (*)
  • National FM 98.2
Blenheim
  • National AM 567
  • National FM 101.7
  • Concert 99.3
Westport
  • National AM 1458
  • Concert 98.9
Greymouth
  • National FM 101.1
  • Concert 95.5
Christchurch
  • National AM 675
  • National FM 101.7
  • Concert 89.7
  • Concert - Akaroa 95.1
  • Concert - Sumner 99.7
  • AM Network (Parliament) 963
Omarama (*)
  • National FM 97.3
Ashburton
  • National FM 101.3
Lake Tekapo (*)
  • National FM 93.4
Twizel (*)
  • National FM 92.6
Otematata (*)
  • National FM 106.7
Timaru
  • National AM 918
  • National FM 101.1
  • Concert 99.5
Wanaka
  • National FM 101.0
  • Concert 95.4
Queenstown
  • National FM 101.6
  • Concert 98.4
Alexandra
  • National FM 101.5
  • Concert 97.5
Te Anau (*)
  • National FM 101.6
Milford Sound (*)
  • National FM 92.0
Dunedin
  • National AM 810
  • National FM 101.4
  • Concert  92.6 or 99.0
  • Concert - Mosgiel 99.4
  • AM Network (Parliament) 900
Invercargill
  • National AM 720
  • National FM 101.2
  • Concert 90.0
  • AM Network (Parliament) 1314
Coverage Maps:
 

If you are having difficulty receiving a signal, please check our:

 

Mono and Stereo

Radio NZ National is broadcast on FM in mono as it's more cost effective than stereo. As our highest-rating programmes (news and talk programmes) are in mono and are listened to by many people on mono radios, we believe it is better to broadcast to more listeners in mono than fewer in stereo.

There are some advantages of being in mono: reception is better because the radio is not trying to decipher the complex stereo info; and as mono requires about a sixth of the power of stereo, there is less overloading and distortion from high power signals reflecting off buildings.

However, on our internet streaming audio from the website, our RNZ app and iHeartRadio, both RNZ National and RNZ Concert are in stereo for the live stream and for selected music programmes.

RNZ National and RNZ Concert are in stereo on Freeview terrestrial.

Radio Data System (RDS)

RNZ uses RDS technology on some of its FM transmitters.

There are two key reasons we transmit RDS:

  1. When you tune in to most RNZ National FM transmitters on an RDS-capable radio it will display "NATIONAL" or "CONCERT" so you know its us.
  2. Your vehicle radio will automatically retune to the best available signal as you drive. For example, if you drive between Auckland and Hamilton your radio will change frequency as you drive over the Bombay Hills

You may need to enable 'RDS' or 'AF' on your vehicle's radio, to allow it to change automatically. Refer to your vehicle's car-radio manual for more detailed information.

For technical reasons, RNZ doesn’t transmit any time info on its RDS.

Ways to Listen

On the radio

Internet