Wharite Peak

Wharite Peak is a mountain at the southern end of the Ruahine Range, 9 km north of Woodville in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand. The mountain is home to the main television and FM radio transmitter for the city of Palmerston North and the wider Manawatu region.

Etymology
Wharite is a corruption of either Whare-Iti ("home of Iti") or Whare-tītī ("nesting place of tītī").

According to Rangitāne o Manawatu, Wharite was inhabited by Iti a Tohunga from the Ruakawa Pa area below. The Tohunga was banished to the peak due to his small stature and disfigurements. However, Rangitāne o Manawatu still consulted him for his knowledge related to environmental matters.

Transmitter
A 1 kW television transmitter was established atop Wharite in 1963, relaying WNTV1 from Wellington. It was replaced with a 100 kW transmitter in 1966. Today, there are two transmission towers atop Wharite; the main TV/FM tower (Wharite) and a smaller FM-only tower to the south (Wharite South).

Former analogue television frequencies
The following frequencies were used until 29 September 2013, when Wharite switched off analogue broadcasts (see Digital changeover dates in New Zealand).