CAMA newsletter: Summer 2025

CAMA announces new future-focussed 2025-2030 Strategic Plan

The Community Access Media Alliance (CAMA) is delighted to announce the release of its 2025-2030 Strategic Plan.

The 2025-2030 Strategic Plan outlines an ambitious pathway for the Community Access Media Alliance (CAMA) – the representative body for the 12 Community Access Media stations throughout Aotearoa – to achieve its vision of an inclusive, innovative, and sustainable sector.

Focused on inclusion, equity, collaboration, and cultural responsiveness, it highlights CAMA’s commitment to empowering communities, promoting equitable media representation, and enhancing the influence of its 12 member organisations.

CAMA chair Phil Grey says the representative body is entering a watershed period, with funding and legislative changes on the horizon.

When you combine these instrumental changes with the “endless march of technology and its impact on media consumption,” Grey says it’s important to ensure the sector doesn’t fall behind.

“With the new vision laid out in this updated strategic plan, recent robust and, at times, difficult sector conversations around what collectively we need to do, we’re ready to face the next five years.”

The CAMA 2025-2030 Strategic Plan is available here.

CAMA thrilled to release its 2024 Annual Report

The 2025-2030 Strategic Plan was developed after a series of workshops with station managers in Wellington last year. It was one of the many highlights of 2024, which are detailed in the CAMA’s 2024 Annual Report.

Additional sector developments included introducing sector-wide working groups, creating and distributing its 2024 Snapshot Suite, and efforts to continue Memorandums of Understanding with friends of the sector.

You can access the CAMA Annual Report here to see more of CAMA’s advocacy, funding, promotional activities, key staffing changes, and station news.

*Please note that the CAMA 2025 Annual Report doesn’t feature CAMA’s financial performance due to a delay in the auditing process.

CAMA/Radio New Zealand renews MOU for another year

After a series of discussions with Radio New Zealand in 2023 regarding licensing agreements, the recognition of shared values culminated in a Memorandum of Understanding to share content and collaborate in November 2023. In November 2024, this MOU was reviewed and renewed for another year.

The MOU enables RNZ and CAMA stations to share content and office space with visiting RNZ staff when they need a space to work while travelling. Third-party licensing agreements to share news bulletins are expected to be resolved in 2025.

This isn’t the first MOU for the sector, work commenced in 2022 to update CAMA’s MOU with the National Emergency Management Agency (and other media partners). The draft has been finalised and will be officially signed in early 2025.

HealthNZ campaign ends

Health NZ—Te Whatu Ora and the Community Access Media sector teamed up to deliver a messaging campaign in 2024 to raise health awareness among Pacific families.

Targeted messaging featured on Pacific-related shows and social media pages between October and December on Planet FM, Free FM, Wellington Access Radio, Plains FM, Otago Access Radio, Radio Hawke’s Bay, and MPR.

Last year’s Snapshot provides insight into our core services, and CAMA created this information pack to be used across the sector. For more information, about how you can reach your audience, see here.

NZOA managers’ hui

Station managers travelled to Wellington for an NZ On Air managers’ hui in November. In response to the current fraught economic climate, the membership formed a collective stance in preparation for the hui to address the following questions:

  • Is the current model working?
  • Is it still fit for purpose?
  • How do we look to reach audiences?
  • How do we measure that?
  • Who is better placed to administer pūtea?
  • Is the status quo better?

The exercise and subsequent discussion with NZ On Air were beneficial in that they laid the groundwork for assessing the sector’s future and sustainability and for developing the next iteration of CAMA’s strategic plan.

Fresh FM undergoes digital transformation

For three decades, Fresh FM (Te Reo Irirangi o Te Tauihu o Te Waka a Māui) has amplified the voices of Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough for 30 years. To celebrate, the station launched a new digital platform in 2024.

Available via fresh.co.nz, the revitalised platform aims to equip Fresh FM with the tools to continue amplifying Te Tauihu’s voices now and in the future.

It embodies Fresh FM’s values of inclusivity and empowerment, giving volunteer programme makers greater creative freedom while making it easier for listeners to connect. Read here for more.

New accessibility-friendly website for OAR FM

OAR FM also redesigned and relaunched its OAR.ORG.NZ in 2024.

OAR engaged local accessibility champions to review the station’s eight-year-old website and establish a features wish list to unlock its potential. Perspectives ranged from lived experience of visual impairment to the expertise of an access consultant and educator.

Meta Digital was then tasked with site design, focusing on accessibility, discoverability and speed. The result is a clean, accessible and modern website that looks beautiful on desktop and mobile devices.

WAR’s Conversations with Wāhine celebrates three years

Conversations with Wāhine is funded by the National Council of Women New Zealand and hosted by volunteers who take turns interviewing their invited guests.

The show is focused on being by women, for women, and showcases candid interviews with inspirational wāhine in a wide range of fields. Over the last few years, the hosts have spoken to politicians, actors, comedians, CEOs, authors, directors, and activists—just to name a few!

Reaching three years and more than 100 shows is a milestone that the WAR team was excited to celebrate with a special event – a live podcast recording on the theme Pay Equity for Gender Equity, featuring special guests Lyndy McIntyre, Bella Moke, Brittany Goodwin, and Latayvia Tualasea Tautai. Read more here.

FreshFM releases doco series

The short-form documentary series The Stories We Hold, a collaboration between Fresh FM and Cultural Conversations, illuminated the rich cultural experiences of young migrants and former refugees in Te Tauihu.

The series resonated deeply with both local and wider communities, amassing 31,986 views across Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. The videos also generated 1,143 interactions, including likes, comments, and shares, reflecting strong engagement with the content.

Communities such as the Bhutanese Community of Nelson and the Victory Community Centre expressed gratitude for highlighting the experiences of young migrants and former refugees, describing the series as both touching and insightful.

CAMA welcomes new leadership at ART

CAMA is delighted to welcome Access Radio Taranaki’s new manager Tracey Blake.

Having worked as an announcer, and promotions and marketing manager for MediaWorks and the Radio Network/NZME, Tracey brings 35 years to the sector. Tracey hopes to increase ART’s visibility and awareness: “Coming from commercial media, I saw over my career how what was once about the people has become just a money-making racket, and the sense of community has gone.

“Consumption of media has changed so much over the past 10-15 years and continues to do so, but I believe society will always want to connect. Community Access Media is one of the only means for this to happen. This excites me.”

CAMA welcomes new leadership at Planet FM

Planet FM’s new radio and development manager, Brent Harbour, also brings a wealth of radio experience to the Community Access Media sector.

Brent has worked in on-air and programming radio positions for 37 years in New Zealand, Australia, Dubai, and the United Kingdom. Most recently, he hosted and produced podcasts in Wanaka.

Community Access Media is a great way to connect communities and tell great stories, he says.

“I want to make sure everyone knows what an asset community access radio is and encourage them to think about new ways to communicate and connect.”

To read more about the dynamic duo, including a Q&A, see here.

Ka kite CAR station manager Nikki Carroll

Last month, Nikki Carroll stepped down as Coast Access Radio (CAR) station manager. As a former CAMA (ACAB) treasurer and long-time Community Access Media champion, CAMA is sad to see Nikki go. We took the opportunity to have a chat:

Please give us an overview of your role(s) in the sector.

I first worked in a part-time funding/administration role, which slowly expanded over the next three years to include content creation, live broadcasting, and community networking. By the end of my first year with Coast Access Radio, I had also joined the CAMA (then known as ACAB) executive, taking on the treasurer role I held for the next three years.

After completing my broadcasting degree, I was asked to apply for the station manager role at Coast Access Radio in late 2022. I have spent the past two and a half years working with a fantastic team that has helped to boost the engagement/relationships with and content of the Kapiti and Horowhenua communities we serve.

What were some of your highlights working in the sector?

During my first period with Coast Access Radio (2016-2019), some of the highlights were: (a) Establishing and producing youth-oriented content by engaging with local high schools on the Kapiti Coast and in Horowhenua; (b) having regular live-to-air slots as part of the Morning Show and Friday Afternoon Drive Show; and (c) actively promoting and supporting the establishment of a primary Performing Arts Centre on the Kapiti Coast.

During my second period with CAR (2022-2025), some of the highlights were: (a) hosting the first in-person CAMA national hui since Covid; (b) interviewing Richard O’Brien, renowned for the Rocky Horror Picture Show; and (c) initiating an investigative documentary led by John Campbell for TVNZ.

Hapori Aotearoa conference

Hapori Aotearoa – co-hosted by Inspiring Communities and Tauranga City Council – is a national networking and professional development opportunity for community development professionals and community wellbeing-interested individuals. This two-day conference (March 4-5) is about feeding toolkits and building connections to better support each other and our communities. Read more here.

New Ethnic Evidence report

The Ministry for Ethnic Community’s 2024 Ethnic Evidence report brings together in one place evidence on how ethnic communities are doing in New Zealand. This report is designed to help the public sector consider ethnic communities for government investment, policy development and service delivery intervention.

NZOA releases 2023 Annual Report

Last quarter, NZOA released its latest annual report, which features highlights, financials, stories, contributions to the Community Access Media sector, and more. Read more here.

New Emergency Management Bill

Last year, the Coalition Government agreed to progress the development of the new Emergency Management Bill. CAMA is among the many stakeholders participating in the consultation process. Read more here.

Exploitation of migrants report

Late last year, the Human Rights Commission released a review of the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme. The review identifies a range of urgent human rights concerns and provides recommendations for improving the scheme. Read more here.

Ministry for Culture & Heritage consultation

Late last year, CAMA participated in a Ministry for Culture & Heritage consultation workshop in response to the Coalition Government’s draft strategy, Amplify: A Creative and Cultural Strategy for New Zealand 2024-2030.

The draft is broad-reaching, with an economic focus. It sets out actions the government can take to promote a future where New Zealand is a global creative powerhouse. You can view MCH’s general strategic intentions here.

New digital technology for NFPs report

Infoxchange’s The Digital Technology in the Not-for-Profit Sector Report 2024 is Australia and New Zealand’s largest and most comprehensive report on how charities and Not-for-Profits are navigating the digital landscape.

It highlights key areas such as AI adoption, financial constraints on IT spending, and the specific challenges faced by volunteer-led organisations.

New BSA resources

The BSA has created new, bite-sized guides to inform the public about safe viewing, listening, and the complaints process.

These guides are also available in other languages here.

Last year the regulator also celebrated 35 years. You can read its latest annual report here.

MasterToast On Air

Arrow FM presents MasterToast On Air, a show bringing the talent of local toastmasters into your living room.

Toastmasters Wairarapa is a vibrant community group whose members take an exciting journey to enhance their communication and leadership skills. Tune in on Tuesdays at 7pm!

Radio Viti Wairarapa

Arrow FM also brings you Radio Viti Wairarapa on Sundays at 5pm. This bilingual programme, presented in both Fijian and English, serves as a hub for the Wairarapa Fijian community. It features local news, views, music, and updates from Fiji, Melanesia, and the Pacific region.

Managed by Team Viti and supported by local Fijian community advisors, the programme also connects with the wider Viti (NZ) Council e Aotearoa network.

Conversation conversation

Coast Access Radio’s Conversation Conversation discusses the importance of conservation and the benefits of nature from the staff at Ngā Manu Nature Reserve. Nga Manu Nature Reserve preserves one of the largest remnants of lowland swamp forest on the Kapiti Coast and provides a haven for native birds and reptiles.

Inspired Ladies Talk Show

Brought to you via Plains FM’s Inspired Ladies Talk Show features Mavis Kamota AKA Ladykae, who has conversations with local women from all around the world about motivation, inspiration, empowerment and building resilience. Guests talk from lived experience and share success stories and life lessons.

New episodes air every second Wednesday at 11am on PlainsFM96.9 and available on plainsfm.org.nz.

That’s Good to Know

WAR’s new show, That’s Good to Know, is for parents and caregivers of disabled and neurodivergent children. Join Meredith as she hosts an ‘on air’ support group sharing stories and experiences of parents who get it.

Every second Saturday, 1pm.

Cigarettes Will Kill You

Hosted by Iris, a 17-year-old from Wellington High School, WAR’s Cigarettes Will Kill You is your go-to music radio show. This show was formerly part of our Gateway Students program, and we are delighted that Iris has decided to continue making her show at the station!

Each week, Iris focuses on a new genre of music, as well as a couple of cheeky little segments of her own!

Mondays, 4pm.