Summer Newsletter 2025

As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect with pride on a year of growth, resilience, and community connection. Radio Hawke’s Bay continues to thrive as a hub of information, entertainment, and local voices, and this year has been one of our most dynamic yet.

This year, we celebrated 30 years of giving our community the opportunity to have a voice on air — a milestone that speaks to the strength of our community and the passion of everyone who has contributed to our journey.

Partnerships Cemented

Our collaborations with local councils and emergency services have been strengthened and formalized, ensuring that Radio Hawke’s Bay remains a trusted channel for vital communication. These partnerships reinforce our role as a community lifeline, ready to inform and support Hawke’s Bay whenever needed.

Funding Success

This year marked our most successful round of funding applications to date. The support we’ve received enables us to invest in new technology, expand programming, and explore innovative outreach projects. It’s a clear vote of confidence in the work we do and the impact we have across the region.

Farewells and New Beginnings

This year, nine of our dedicated program makers decided to “hang up the mic.” We extend heartfelt thanks for their commitment, creativity, and the unique voices they brought to our airwaves. At the same time, we welcomed 19 new program makers into our broadcasting family. Their enthusiasm and fresh perspectives have already enriched our schedule.

We are proud to beam out 83 unique ‘Made in Hawkes Bay’ programs across the Bay and to listeners around the world – a testament to the diversity and vibrancy of our community.

Expanding Horizons

To make broadcasting more accessible, we’ve opened a new pop-up studio in Napier — made possible through generous support from the Napier City Council and our friends at Birthright, who kindly provided a recording space.

This welcoming new facility is designed for community groups who find it difficult to travel to our main studios. It ensures that distance is never a barrier to sharing stories, voices, and local perspectives.

We’re excited to see this space come to life and hope to extend the opportunity to record there to other broadcasters in the near future.

Looking Ahead

With exciting projects already in the pipeline for 2026, we’re poised for another year of innovation and connection. From new programming initiatives to expanded community outreach, Radio Hawke’s Bay will continue to evolve while staying true to its mission: amplifying local voices and strengthening communities.

Thank You.

None of this would be possible without you – our program makers, our listeners, supporters, and partners. Together, you make Radio Hawke’s Bay the incredible melting pot of information and entertainment that it is. Here’s to another year of broadcasting excellence, community spirit, and shared stories.

From the editor: As we celebrate 30 years of Radio Hawke’s Bay, we’re reminded that our strength lies in the voices of our community.

Remember to tell your friends and whānau about Radio Hawke’s Bay.

Everyone has a story to tell… why not share yours over the airwaves?

Whether it’s news, music, memories, or moments that matter, your voice belongs here. Together, we’ll keep building a station that reflects the heart of Hawke’s Bay — past, present, and future.

Radio Hawke’s Bay: 30 years of connection, and the best is yet to come.

Team Update

Mid‑year, our valued technician, Richmond Palleson, embarked on a 12‑month sabbatical in the USA. While we miss his expertise and camaraderie, we’re excited for the experiences he’s gathering abroad and eagerly await his return in July 2026.

We’re taking a little holiday pause to recharge!

Radio Hawke’s Bay office will be closed from December 24th until January 5th.

Programs will broadcast as usual. If something urgent comes up while we’re away, you can reach our Operations Manager via email kelly@radiohawkesbay.org.nz

Thank you for being part of our journey in 2025 - especially as we celebrated 30 years of community voices. Have a safe, happy summer with your friends and whānau, and we’ll see you in the new year with more stories, music, and connection.

Radio Hawke’s Bay — where every voice matters.

Downloads Top 10

Theatre Talk with Tilly

Big Daddy Breakfast

Folk on Sunday

Community Notices

Easy Listening with Richmond

Pass the Message on

HB Poetry Live

Grief on Various Degrees

All Time Awesome Forgotten Tracks

Bagong Bayani