1930 – 1939

1930

Awanui Radio closed on 10 Feb.

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

» 1940 – 1949


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.