CAMA newsletter: Autumn 2024

Radio Hawke’s Bay launches emergency broadcast app

Cyclone Gabrielle highlighted the need for communities to access vital information during emergencies. To combat these challenges, Kinga VoxPop Ltd, together with Radio Hawke’s Bay, have come together to develop and pilot a new Emergency Broadcast System (EBS) to provide residents with reliable, detailed, and timely information during disasters.

EBS leverages existing AM/FM infrastructure and adds a unique digital platform so that residents, emergency services, and media outlets can connect and share vital information.

This is not a replacement for 111 Emergency calls or a public emergency alerting system; rather, it is another tool that adds timely public information about emergencies outside of social media.

Radio Hawke’s Bay spokesperson Natalie Robb says the EBS combines the strengths of traditional radio with innovative digital tools to empower communities to better prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies.

“Shifting the focus from international social media to a localised, responsive platform will limit the opportunity for disinformation and time delay. The app will share general information about what is happening in the community, whether sheep are across the road in Crownthorpe or there is a power outage in Waipukurau.”

To read the press release, see here.

Journalism students turn Wellington Access Radio (WAR) into a live newsroom

Once a week, journalism students from Massey University will broadcast ‘The Rundown’, a live news show from the WAR studios. Students will spend the morning at the studio researching and creating their bulletin. Then, they’ll go live on air at 1pm, showcasing local information and breaking news.

Station Manager Tony Kemp says the collaboration perfectly fits Community Access Media’s ethos of ‘by, for, and about’ that underlies all of the station’s programming.

“It’s a privilege to be working with the students running a true live news broadcast from our studios. It’s a great example of community voices being heard and we hope it inspires them to pursue their dreams in media and beyond!”

Massey University Associate Professor James Hollings says WAR has a strong reputation as a community platform.

“At a time when journalism has never been more important in providing a reliable source of information that isn’t made up by AI, we know our students have a lot to contribute. It’s a great opportunity for our students to show they can produce good-quality journalism and participate in keeping our communities better informed.”

To read the media release, see here.

Plains FM kicks off fundraising campaign following theft

Plains FM has started a fundraising campaign after the theft of its station vehicle in January.

Celebrations of the station’s 36th anniversary on 29 February were hampered after a beloved, sign-written Nissan Serena became a battering ram to exit a locked car parking compound in the central city a month earlier.

Station Manager Nicki Reece said the theft was a big deal for the community hub, “’cause it wasn’t just a means of transport – it was our roving billboard and used for everything from transporting gear for outside or emergency broadcasting, to attending events and doing community engagement. It wasn’t a great way to start the year.”

With insurance failing to meet the shortfall, Plains FM started a Give A Little page to raise wider community support.

“We’d rather have put time and money into having a birthday event celebrating all the amazing local people we come into contact with every day and who make great content for the benefit of the community. But this year it was our Nissan starting the year with a bang and a wild night out – so we just had a quiet 36th gathering to recover from the shock,” Reece said.

If you’d like to donate, click here. To learn more, see here.

Arrow FM secures grant to champion community voices

The WBS Charitable Trust received a record number of grant applications throughout its two grant funding rounds in 2023. Having successfully applied for a grant to purchase wireless microphones and recording systems, the station can continue to record the stories of the Wairarapa community.

Station manager Michael Wilson says Arrow FM provides services to numerous community, cultural, ethnic, and educational organisations throughout the region.

“We’re always looking to improve access and ease of operation for all our user groups, regardless of how remote they are from our station base.

“Thank you to the WBS Charitable Trust for ensuring another year of community access broadcasting in the Wairarapa.”

Arabic journalist finds new voice

Amjed Al-Saad has found a new life and a new way to celebrate his culture and language, more than 15,000km from his former home.

Mr Al-Saad hosts a new radio show and podcast, ‘NZ Arabic’, on OAR FM Dunedin.

In his former role as a television journalist in Iraq, he faced regular death threats and even assassination attempts from those seeking to suppress stories about financial corruption cases, terrorism links, and human rights abuses.

Forced to leave the country for their safety, Al-Saad and his family resettled in Dunedin last year following eight years in Indonesia under the protection of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.

Al-Saad said he had to find a new way to communicate with the Arab community in Dunedin.

“It is New Zealand that gave us life and the future again after the wars burned our homes and schools in our Arab countries. On the radio show, I am keen to present Arabic music and promote Arab New Zealanders who have achieved success in terms of business and integration here, as well as preserving the national identity of the Arab community through the Arabic language and the political and economic news circulating in our Arab homeland.”

To read more, see here.

CAMA saddened by the passing of Rod Oram and Jonathan Hunt

It was a difficult month for the access media sector, mourning friends of the sector, business and climate commentator Rod Oram and former Labour Party MP Jonathan Hunt.

A multi-award-winning business journalist and editor, Rod Oram worked for the New Zealand Herald and Financial Times. He began working as a financial reporter in the UK before moving to Aotearoa with his family in 1997.

He was also a dynamic and thoughtful keynote speaker at a CAMA conference hosted by Planet FM, and his values significantly aligned with the sector’s kaupapa.

Jonathan Hunt, one of the longest-serving Labour Party Members of Parliament, entered Parliament in 1966 and held roles as Minister of Housing, Tourism, and Broadcasting. He was a long-time patron of CAMA (formerly ACAB) and strongly advocated for the sector.

Our thoughts and sympathy go to our friends’ whānau, colleagues, and community. Read more about Rod here, and Jonathan here.

Wellington Access Radio welcomes new station manager, Tony Kemp

1. Tell us about yourself

I was born in Lower Hutt Hospital but grew up in Taradale/Napier. I moved to Wellington at the start of 2001 and love it!

2. Where did you work previously?

I was a full-time musician with part-time jobs to help with my income.

3. What brings you to the access media sector?

I started out volunteering to make a music show 13 years ago.

4. What’s something different or unusual about yourself that people might not know? 

I’m a grandfather to a beautiful granddaughter and play in a band most weekends of the year.

5. What are you hoping to achieve in your new role? 

I’m looking forward to learning the business/manager side of WAR to fully understand all the jobs here at the station. I’ve pretty much worked from the bottom up!

One of the biggest things I have got from all of this, is the people that walk through the door. I’m constantly learning from them, be it communication skills, patience, or just having a laugh! I’ve learned priceless lessons, which have helped me personally. I’m hugely grateful to be working in broadcasting and for Community Access Media!

Fresh FM welcomes new business development manager, Ceara Mcauliffe Bickerton

1. Tell us about yourself:

I’m originally from beautiful, sunny Wakatū Nelson, but I recently returned after spending the best part of 10 years living in Wellington. I love playing Irish music, surfing, and spending time with whānau.

2. Where did you work previously?

My career began in the start-up space in the US before I came back to New Zealand to found a tech startup in the volunteering sector. In addition to being a business design management consultant, I’ve worked at a kaupapa Māori consultancy, AATEA Solutions.

3. What brings you to the access media sector?

Since moving to Wakatū, I’ve been incredibly passionate about reconnecting with my local community and feel access radio is a voice for the community.

4. What’s something different or unusual about yourself that people might not know?

I’m learning to play the double bass and love playing country, folk, and Americana with local musicians.

5. What are you hoping to achieve in your new role?

I look forward to bringing my passion for change management and innovation to FreshFM.

NZ On Air Diversity Report

Since 2016, NZ On Air has reported on the diversity of creatives in key roles in funded Scripted and Factual/Non-Fiction content.

This reporting helps NZ On Air identify areas where additional industry support and capability funding may be necessary to enhance representation in funded content for audiences in Aotearoa. Read more here.

Dealing with Disinformation webinar

Disinformation has a huge impact on organisations, individuals, and communities.

In this webinar on 18 April, Allen + Clarke has teamed up with The Disinformation Project, an independent research group providing best practice monitoring, research and consulting on disinformation and its impacts.

Read more here.

My Little Corner of the World

Nearly four years ago, a radio show called ‘Rolling Back the Years with Radius’ was born in the grip of Covid lockdowns. To fill the gap left by entertainers unable to visit rest homes, Access Radio Taranaki (ART) worked with the staff of the two Radius Care rest homes in New Plymouth, gathering musical requests from the residents and presenting them in weekly live shows.

Radius Care resident, Colin Mosen, is a former presenter, and a huge fan of radio. Feeling inspired, he approached ART in the hope of starting a show and ‘My Little Corner of the World’ was born.

A seasoned raconteur with a phenomenal memory, an eclectic taste in music, and a love of sports. Colin entertains his audience with tunes, stories behind the music, and commentary and statistics of sporting achievements.

Colin says radio is the perfect medium for those who, like himself, are visually impaired. Check out My Little Corner of the World here.

Cancer kōrero

Coast Access Radio brings you a new fortnightly series that highlights cancer awareness. Cancer Society members will discuss everything from cancer prevention and myth-busting to information on how to stay well. See more here.

Salam Pakistan

The Dunedin Pakistan Society brings you – ‘Salam Pakistan’.

The programme showcases the diverse world of Pakistan, exploring its fascinating culture, cuisine and music. See more here.