Access and Community Radio Funding Guidelines

These guidelines give the context for NZ On Air's support for access radio - in other words, why we fund access radio - and the criteria that we use to fund access radio - in other words, how we fund access radio.

Introduction ...

Under the 1989 Broadcasting Act, NZ On Air has a responsibility to "- ensure that a range of broadcasts is available to provide for the interests of women, youth, children, persons with disabilities and minorities in the community, including ethnic minorities " (Section 36(c) of the Act).
In June 1989, the Minister of Broadcasting issued a Directive to NZ On Air that says that "it is part of the general policy of Government in relation to broadcasting that access radio services should be available for a broad range of non-profit community groups"

The Act and the Minister's Directive are the basis of NZ On Air's support for Access Radio.

What is Access Radio ... ?

Access Radio is radio “by the people”. Access Radio gives groups (and individuals) in the community - especially minority groups and ethnic groups - an opportunity to make and broadcast their own programmes.

Funding Criteria ...

Our ability to take on new Access Radio ventures will always depend on whether funds are available.

There are five funding criteria:

• Primary object . We aim to support community-based radio stations whose primary objective is to offer an access radio service concentrating on Section 36(c) audiences.
• We will take into account the extent to which the station reflects the diversity in the community and in particular, the interests of women, youth, children, the disabled, minorities (including ethnic minorities) and non-profit community groups.
• Priority will also go to operations which satisfy the Ministry of Economic Development's requirements in relation to the use of the Government-reserved frequencies for "non-commercial community use".
• Community support . Access radio's strength is its community roots. We want to know that the station has the support of a wide range of community groups as well as local community development agencies.
• We will measure community support by the interest in the community in buying time to make and broadcast programmes and by the extent of local backing through local grants, donations, etc.
• Coverage . Access radio is by and large a product of diverse communities. Diversity is by and large a function of the size of the community.

Our priority at present is access radio projects which serve a population of 50,000 or more people.

Cost & scale . We will assess the cost of the operation in relation to the broadcast output and the subsidy required per broadcast-hour.

Sound organisation & management . We require a management plan and a three-year business plan.

What NZ On Air Can Offer ...

Generally speaking, NZ On Air's funding will be limited to:

• Annual operating costs only; and
• A proportion of annual operating costs, with the balance coming from community contributions (sale of airtime, local grants, donations, etc).

Additional Allocations

In 2005, with additional funding from Government, NZ On Air instituted a policy of additional access radio funding for operational and capital needs. Click on the PDF link below to download details on this funding, and application for it.

Access Radio Contributions from NZ On Air [PDF DOWNLOAD 44KB]

How To Apply ...

There is no application form. Simply present us with a written proposal which covers the five points listed in Funding Criteria... above.

Contact our office (see below) for application deadlines and NZ On Air meeting dates.

If you have queries related to the Government-reserved frequencies for non-commercial community broadcasting and the licence conditions attached to those frequencies, contact the Ministry of Economic Development (PO Box 2847, Wellington. Phone (04) 473 0030 or Fax: (04) 499 0797).