RNZI 60th Anniversary

Association for International Broadcasting Award

In 2007 Radio New Zealand International won the prestigious International Radio Station of  the Year Award at the Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) Media Excellence Awards.

The AIB represents more than 25,000 public and commercial radio and television professionals worldwide and the annual awards recognise the very best in international broadcasting.

Highly commended runners-up for overall station of the year were the BBC World Service and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks-Radio Sawa.

In announcing the award the judges noted that the result was clear cut:

“Radio New Zealand International, targeting the Pacific, has proved it has the ability, clarity of vision and resources to deliver something that is valued by audiences throughout the region.”

Radio New Zealand International also won the Most Innovative Partnership category ahead of Radio Australia, Radio Canada, and Zonemedia Romantica.

The two awards were accepted on behalf of Radio New Zealand International by the New Zealand High Commissioner to London, the Rt Hon Jonathan Hunt (pictured about right with BBC World News anchor Mishal Hussain).

About RNZI's 60th Anniversary

In 2008 Radio New Zealand celebrated 60 years of international shortwave broadcasting. On September 27th, the Dominion Day holiday in 1948, New Zealand’s first international 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).

The network has had a chequered history but, sixty years on, is stronger than ever, broadcasting today as Radio New Zealand International, an award winning, internationally recognised service, providing an essential link between New Zealand and its Pacific neighbours.

Today Radio New Zealand International is well respected and widely heard across the Pacific and into South East Asia. Eighteen Pacific radio stations re-broadcast Radio New Zealand International material each day and the service is available through digital and analogue short-wave, and via the internet.

In 2007 Radio New Zealand International won the prestigious International Radio Station of the Year Award at the Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) Media Excellence Awards in London.