Nelson was among New Zealand’s early adopters of radio, but the city’s first stations faced stubborn financial and technical hurdles before broadcasting became a permanent service.
The region’s first wireless concert broadcast took place in July 1923, when Wilkins and Field Hardware Company transmitted a programme from its experimental station in Hardy Street. Operating under the call sign 2YA, the station used equipment powered by 300 torch batteries soldered together and planned broadcasts every Wednesday and Saturday.
A new chapter began on Sunday, 4 July 1932, when listeners heard the announcement:
“This is 2ZR, the Voice of the City of Sunshine, owned and operated by N. D. Braithwaite.”
The station was officially opened by Nelson Mayor W. Moffatt, followed by an evening concert programme.
Equipment for 2ZR was built and tested in Dunedin before being shipped to Nelson. It was installed in Begg and Co.’s building on Trafalgar Street and operated on a frequency of 1360 kilocycles with an output of 50 watts. The transmitter was designed by young engineer Len Bates, who later moved to Nelson to become station director and announcer.
Braithwaite, who relocated to Nelson for health reasons, soon found running a radio station was expensive. To secure its future, local supporters formed the 2ZR Radio Club, with members paying an annual subscription of five shillings. The club took over the station’s finances and management.
The club sought Government assistance as several regional stations began receiving subsidies from the newly established Broadcasting Board. Despite strong local backing and support from civic organisations, repeated applications were declined.
Financial pressure continued, and in 1933 the station faced a further setback when major record companies – including HMV, Columbia, Regal, Zonophone and Parlophone – banned 2ZR from broadcasting their recordings. While Government-owned and subsidised stations could use those records, 2ZR was excluded. The restriction severely limited programming and added strain to the station’s resources.
Despite determined efforts and strong community support, falling membership and ongoing financial difficulties forced 2ZR off air in August 1935. The station remained silent for about 10 months before returning in June 1936 with volunteer staff and three evenings of programming each week.
Hope for the station’s future grew when the Government signalled that areas not well served would receive consideration. In 1937, the Government offered to buy 2ZR, by then owned by Len Bates. Negotiations between Len, the 2ZR Radio Club and Government representatives led to the station being acquired later that year.
Although there was initial uncertainty about its future, the Government decided to continue broadcasting from Nelson. Control passed to the National Broadcasting Service, which introduced a regular daily programme.
With its mission complete, the 2ZR Radio Club was dissolved in December 1937. The original call sign was retired and replaced by 2YN, marking the start of a new era in Nelson broadcasting and securing radio services for the region’s listeners.
