User:PlanetFM/Planet FM

Founded in 1987, Planet FM is a not-for-profit community based radio station broadcasting from Auckland, New Zealand, on 104.6 FM. Planet FM was initiated by the Auckland Ethnic Council as 'Access Community Radio Auckland Incorporated' and is the second-oldest of the 11 community radio broadcasters in Aoteroa/New Zealand. It is a full powered radio station, broadcasting to most of the greater Auckland region. Despite the existence of 11 non-English stations in the region, Planet FM has a full programme schedule, and new airtime applications from interested groups are submitted every week.

Auckland is a city with a population of 1.4 million, almost a third of whom do no have English as a first language. Planet FM provides facilities that allow communities within this segment of the population to broadcast and connect with their peers. English shows include green topics, local issues, hobbies and interests, books, disabilities, gay and elders radio, a mental health forum, settlement topics and music. These complement the more than 45 languages broadcast by Planet FM. Access Radio Auckland Incorporated does not produce content, adhering to community access principles of radio by, for and about its users. The purpose of Planet FM is to function as a vehicle for communication within and between communities, providing the technology and know-how that allows interested groups to broadcast material relevant to their listeners. The station prides itself on professional-quality broadcasting delivered by everyday volunteers. It also strives to give a voice to a large number of religious and cultural organisations, as well as numerous English-language interest groups.

The station is funded from membership subscriptions, airtime charges, community grants and with support from New Zealand On Air. The station delivers services in keeping with Section 36C of the Broadcasting Act, which requires the provision of broadcasting facilities for minority interests, needs and groups. In the Auckland context that means reflecting the multi-lingual needs of a migrant city. To this end, Planet FM's website www.planetaudio.org.nz, also hosts 'The Kiwi Way”, an ever-expanding, online audio resource for new immigrants to New Zealand. It offers advice in over a dozen languages on topics such as healthcare, finding work and securing accommodation.

History
Initially incorporated in 1987 as 'Access Community Radio Auckland', the station broadcast on temporary licenses until the Broadcasting Act of 1989 presented an opportunity for the station to secure a permanent frequency. From 1989 until 2000 the station was heard on 810AM. In 2000, Radio Pacific sold the radio mast it shared with Access Radio Auckland, jeopardising the capability of Auckland's only community radio station to broadcast. After a special request to government appealing for a frequency, Access Radio Auckland was granted 104.6FM just two days before the old tower went offline. It was at this time Access Community Radio 810AM re-branded as Planet FM 104.6.

In 2006, Planet FM moved from its comparatively cramped location at AUT University to a purpose-built facility, which upgraded a 1920’s kauri bungalow at 79 Carrington Road, on Unitec's Mt. Albert campus. The new facility features more space, more parking and a more comfortable environment for members to plan programming, hold meetings and for Planet FM to host community events. In 2008, the station launched its website www.planetaudio.org.nz. Each programme has its own page and is assigned a specific URL. Today, the site offers a live stream and 'audio on demand' streamed and downloadable for 7 days after a program has aired. Informational programming, special interviews, guests and events move to the archives for named programmes. A keyword search of planetaudio.org.nz reveals valuable content on Pacific Islands health, green issues, conversation with thinkers and leaders, even a series on the history of Jewish music! In February 2010, Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey became the patron of Planet FM, providing the station with a passionate and experienced community voice to champion the station’s importance to the changing face of Auckland.

People and Prizes
To date, Planet FM has trained thousands of broadcasters and played host to wide variety of people and personalities across a wide cultural spectrum. The station prides itself on being a community station that aims to operate with professional broadcast standards. To this end, Planet FM hosts the annual “Micie” awards, where top broadcasters on Planet FM are acknowledged and applauded for their continued excellence. As well as acknowledging the outstanding work done by members who broadcast on 104.6FM, Planet FM itself has received a number of awards for services to the community. These include numerous awards for services to the community and specific cultures and groups, as well as awards given to members broadcasting on Planet FM. In 2004 the station was the first organisation to receive a Special Achievement Award from the NZ Peace Foundation in recognition of their years of providing "an open and tolerant environment for New Zealanders of all backgrounds, of giving voice to those with mental illness, disabilities, of different sexuality, beliefs, culture and language, or supporting the desires of many to build community, based on meaningful and relevant communication.”

www.planetaudio.org.nz