1930
Awanui Radio closed on 10 Feb.
New Zealand Herald, 30 Oct 1930
WIRELESS SERVICES.
GOVERNMENT STATIONS.One of the most important and comprehensive of the Pacific communication services is that operated by the New Zealand Government. On the heights of Tinakori Hills, Wellington, is located the Post and Telegraph Department’s chief station. From here wireless communication is effected with Apia (Samoa), Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands, and the Chatham Islands. An efficient service is also maintained with ships of the mercantile marine. At the short-wave and commercial wireless stations at Awarua at the extreme southern end of the South Island, the latest British official wireless press bulletins are received from Rugby. In addition, short-wave traffic is exchanged with the transpacific mail vessels and with ships generally. A commercial wireless service with ships is also maintained at Auckland.
1931
On 3 Feb, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake killed at least 256 people in Hawke’s Bay. Amateur radio operators provided emergency communications. Following the quake, the P&T Department decided to supply portable, battery-powered radiotelegraph transmitters and receivers to 16 key locations throughout the country as backup to landline communications.1
1935
In October, the Government announced plans to upgrade wireless stations.
1937
In July, New Zealand wireless stations observed two minutes silence to mark the death of Marconi.
1939
Auckland Radio moved to Musick Point (official opening on 12 Jan 1942). New Zealand established a weather and radio station at Raoul Island in the Kermadecs. Wartime censorship was imposed, with 16 full-time radio and telegraph staff acting as censors at the Auckland overseas cable terminal and at Wellington Radio.2
Notes
1 Wilson, A.C. (1994). Wire and wireless: A history of telecommunications in New Zealand 1890-1987, (p 124), Palmerston North, New Zealand: Dunmore Press.
2 Wilson, A.C. (1994). Wire and wireless: A history of telecommunications in New Zealand 1890-1987, (p 131), Palmerston North, New Zealand: Dunmore Press.
