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More FM
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More FM is a New Zealand radio network that plays hot adult contemporary music. It is operated by MediaWorks New Zealand.
Key Information
More FM broadcasts in 25 centres throughout New Zealand on 81 transmitters with a mix of local and network programming. The station targets a 25 to 49-year-old audience and has the most local shows of any radio network in New Zealand. Currently there are 11 different breakfast shows and 14 day shows.
The More FM network has grown from a local Wellington station to a large Network brand developed through expansion, acquisitions and re-branding of local stations already owned by MediaWorks.
More FM had the 3rd[1] or 4th[2] largest audience of New Zealand's commercial radio stations in 2021.
History
[edit]Early years
[edit]More FM, with the on air position of "Not too Heavy, Not too Soft", first began in Wellington on 6 May 1991 as a local radio station. The very first station was started by Doug Gold and Craig Thompson; previously Doug Gold was the managing director of Wellington radio station Radio Windy. Gold and Thompson were joined by fellow investors Chris Muirhead, Simon "Swampy" Marsh, Lyn Chung and Bill Mathieson.The very first song to play on the first More FM station by Breakfast Show hosts Simon "Swampy" Marsh and Anemarie Gold was Rhythm of My Heart by Rod Stewart.[3] In the early nineties More FM began broadcasting in Christchurch and Auckland, both as local stations separate from the Wellington station.
Change of ownership
[edit]In the late nineties More FM's parent company The More FM Group was sold to CanWest Mediaworks who at the time were the owners of TV3 New Zealand; the sale also included The Breeze in Wellington and Channel Z. Programming was extended to Dunedin in 1997 as a local station but networked from Christchurch during breakfast and evenings. A fifth More FM station was started in the Waikato in 1999 as a totally local station.
In 2000 CanWest Mediaworks purchased RadioWorks which at that stage was operating 4 network brands across New Zealand and a local station in most markets across New Zealand. RadioWorks later became known as MediaWorks.
Expansion to other regions
[edit]In December 2004 MediaWorks nationalised and networked all of their local stations previously marketed as LocalWorks stations. Regions with just one local station had their station rebranded as More FM, regions with more than one local station typically had the station considered to be the flagship station in that area rebranded as More FM and secondary stations rebranded as The Breeze. Some markets had secondary local stations replaced with a network station run by MediaWorks. The changes saw More FM extended to more than 15 markets with all stations initially retaining their local announcers up to 7 pm. The number of stations was later expanded to 24 after further station re-branding as well as MediaWorks purchasing other independent stations.
Introduction of network programming
[edit]Network night show
[edit]Network programming on More FM began with the Evening and overnight shows in January 2005. The 'More FM Most Wanted' Night show was originally hosted by Dominic Bowden until the middle of 2005 and then by Tarsha Tolson until the middle of 2007 when Tarsha moved to Wellington to co-host the More FM breakfast show. The overnight show was originally hosted by Asher Bastion until he left to go to Life FM in June 2006. From 2015, the show was hosted by Joe Cotton. Tyler McDonald hosted the show between 2022-2023.
Network drive and daytime shows
[edit]In August 2009 the first Network Drive show was created. The Wellington weekday Drive show team, 'Josh & Tom' Josh van Berkel and Tom McKenzie (ex-Classic Hits South Canterbury) were re-located to Auckland and their show was networked into 19 of the 22 More FM markets over the following months.
In March 2011 Josh & Tom announced they were leaving More FM. The structure of the day was reworked ending the traditional Breakfast/Day/Drive line up. From 4 April 2011 the More FM stations were local in all markets with the network programming starting at 1 pm, an hour earlier. The afternoon lineup consisted of a 1 pm – 4 pm Afternoon show hosted by former More FM Waikato breakfast host Stu Tolan and a 4 – 7 pm Drive show hosted by media personality Clarke Gayford. Christchurch, Manawatū and Nelson were the exceptions to the change in format as these stations continued to broadcast locally up to 7 pm until 2015.
Networked programming during the daytime began in 2013 with the introduction of a show presented by Geoff Stagg from Wellington and networked to selected regions.
In 2015 More FM reverted to the traditional Breakfast/Day/Drive line up and local programming was extended in some markets to run between 6 am – 3 pm or 10 am – 3 pm for those markets taking the networked breakfast show. From 2014, Jason Gunn and Lana Searle hosted the 3 pm – 7 pm show, before Lana was replaced by Jay-Jay Feeney in 2018. Paul 'Flynny' Flynn joined the show in 2019, as Jason Gunn moved to co-host the show part-time. Jay-Jay Feeney decided to leave radio in July 2024, and since then, the drive show is hosted by Sarah Gandy and Flynny, along with producers Matthew "Pledge" Pledger and Dave Rybinski.[4]
Network breakfast
[edit]In 2007, the More FM Christchurch breakfast show, then presented by Si and Gary, was networked into the Nelson region. In October 2011, More FM Auckland breakfast presenter Jeremy Corbett resigned from his long-standing breakfast show. Marc Ellis was announced as his replacement along with Amber Peebles & Stu Tolan. In November 2011 an announcement was made that new Auckland based breakfast show would be networked into the Waikato and Wellington region. The 'local' daytime host read out local news and weather in their respective region as part of the networked breakfast show from 6 – 10 am. In December 2012 Amber Peebles left the show to pursue a television project. Her replacement was Hayley Holt. Marc Ellis left the show in October 2013. Stu and Hayley continued to present the network breakfast for the remainder of 2013, along with Joe Cotton.
In 2014 the Christchurch breakfast, then presented by Si and Gary, became the new network breakfast show and continued to be presented from Christchurch. In April 2015 the networked breakfast was extended to Dunedin and Hawkes Bay with the local presenters in those markets moved to the local The Breeze station in their respective markets. The show is now presented by Lana Searle and Adam Percival with Simon Barnett returning in 2025 after a 5-year hiatus.
In July 2017, Pauline (Polly) Gillespie and Grant Kereama launched a Wellington-based breakfast show, which also aired in Kapiti/Horowhenua. In January 2018 this show was networked into five other markets, but in early 2020 the show reverted to a local Wellington breakfast show until June 2020, when the show ended.
Weekend programming
[edit]Originally weekend programming on all More FM stations remained local after the expansion and rebranding in 2005 including during Saturday and Sunday evenings and overnight. A networked evening show for weekends was introduced in late 2005. More FM began replacing local programming at the weekends with networked programming from 2007 onwards initially networking stations after 2 pm. From 2014 all More FM stations were local on Saturday morning from 6 am to 10 am, with Auckland and Christchurch local to 7 pm.
The More FM network
[edit]Networked shows on the More FM stations either originate from the Auckland or Christchurch studios.
Breakfast There are 10 local shows nationwide and one network show. Lana Searle, and Simon Barnett currently present a networked breakfast show called "The Breakfast Club" from the More FM Christchurch studios to listeners in Auckland, Waikato, Coromandel, Tauranga, Rotorua, Hawkes Bay, Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough, Christchurch, South Canterbury, Dunedin and Clutha.
Workday "Workplace Social Club" programming runs from 10 am – 3 pm and some markets have a local show during this time. A networked workday show presented by Alisha from the Auckland studios can be heard in Auckland, Waikato, Tauranga, Taupō, Gisborne/Wairoa, Hawke's Bay, Manawatū, Wairarapa, Central Otago, Queenstown and Clutha.
Drive & Nights The network drive show is hosted by Sarah Gandy and Paul (Flynny) Flynn, followed by an evening show Sunday to Thursday with Luka. All More FM stations are networked between 3 pm and 5 am.
Weekends Most More FMs run a local Saturday breakfast show. On Sunday a "Best of the Breakfast Club" show airs between 6 am and 9 am across 20 markets.
More FM stations
[edit]| Market | Transmitter(s) | Frequency (MHz) |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | Parahaki Hikurangi Horokaka Maungataniwha Tutukaka Kerikeri (LPFM) Russell |
91.6 91.6 91.6 91.6 94.4 107.3 95.2 |
| Rodney | Moirs Hill Lochamber Mangawhai |
88.9 97.8 93.6 |
| Auckland | Sky Tower | 91.8 |
| Coromandel | Coromandel Town Rataroa Whangamata Waihi Beach Matarangi Whitianga Pauanui Waihi Opito Bay (LPFM) Te Aroha (LPFM) |
89.1 97.2 89.9 104.2 94.0 90.3 93.9 90.6, 93.8 106.7 106.7 |
| Waikato | Ruru | 92.2 |
| Bay of Plenty | Kopukairua | 93.4 |
| Rotorua | Pukepoto Paeroa Range |
95.9 89.2 |
| Taupō | Tuhingamata Kinloch (LPFM) |
93.6 107.2 |
| Gisborne | Wharekopae Wheatstone Rd |
90.1 98.9 |
| Hawke's Bay | Mt Erin Wairoa |
88.7 98.9 |
| Taranaki | Mt Egmont Opunake Okato Oakura |
93.2 92.8 100.0 96.8 |
| Whanganui | Bastia Hill | 92.8 |
| Manawatū | Wharite | 92.2 |
| Kāpiti Coast/Horowhenua | Forest Heights | 90.3 |
| Wairarapa | Popoiti Castlepoint |
89.5 105.9 |
| Wellington | Fitzherbert Kaukau Haywards |
95.3 99.7 99.7 |
| Nelson | Grampians Mt Murchison Mt Campbell |
92.8 94.1 92.0 |
| Marlborough | Wither Hills Mt Freeth Kaikōura Peninsula |
92.9 94.7 89.9 |
| Christchurch | Sugarloaf Southshore Mt Pearce Lyttelton |
92.1 94.9 99.1 104.5 |
| Mid Canterbury | Gawler Downs Ashburton |
94.9 98.9 |
| South Canterbury | Mt Horrible Timaru Waimate Mt Michael Mt Mary Twizel |
97.9 93.1 93.1 95.0 94.2 89.4 |
| North Otago | Cape Wanbrow Kurow Otematata Omarama |
100.0 96.8 98.1 90.9 |
| Queenstown | Peninsula Hill Coronet Peak Kingston Glenorchy |
92.0 92.8 97.2 96.8 |
| Central Otago | Mt Maude Obelisk Cromwell Mt Ida |
99.4 90.3 94.3 97.1 |
| Dunedin | Mt Cargill Mosgiel |
97.4 106.9 |
| Clutha | Kuriwao Balclutha Lawrence (LPFM) |
93.7 92.9 107.1 |
| Southland | Hedgehope Mount Prospect |
89.2 96.0 |
Northland
[edit]91-6 More FM Northland is a radio station serving the Whangārei urban area and the entire Northland Region on 91.6FM, Kerikeri on 107.3FM, Russell on 95.2FM and Tutukaka on 94.4FM. Before the re-branding to More FM in 2005 this station was known famously as KCC FM.
Local programming: Northland Breakfast is presented by Angela "Flash" Gordon and Toast (Tauha Vallely-Tekani). Alisha also hosts the local workday show from 10 am – 3 pm (from Auckland Studio)
Rodney
[edit]88-9 & 97-8 More FM Rodney is a radio station serving the Rodney District and the Hibiscus Coast, to the north and north-west of Auckland. A recent addition to the More FM network, this station was originally known as Times FM and was taken over by MediaWorks in 2002. The station was not affected MediaWorks rebranding of local stations to More FM in 2004 but was rebranded in 2015.
Local programming: Breakfast with Nick
Auckland
[edit]91-8 More FM Auckland is a radio station serving the Auckland urban area and can be heard in parts of Waikato, such as Paeroa. More FM Auckland came to be in August 1993 and featured Kim (Kim Adamson) & Corbett (Jeremy Corbett) in the morning for 16 years. Its sole transmitter is at the top of the Sky Tower in central Auckland. The Auckland studios are used to present the network day, drive, night and weekend shows, the network news, and is the headquarters of the network.
Local programming: A local workday show with Alisha for Auckland is broadcast between 10 am – 3 pm. It is also heard in some areas as a network workday show.
Coromandel
[edit]Coromandel's More FM, formerly Coromandel FM, is the most recent addition to the More FM Network, serving the Coromandel Peninsula, Hauraki Plains, Western Bay of Plenty, Matamata-Piako, Auckland, Huntly and Raglan across 17 separate frequencies. The station boasts the biggest local coverage.
The station is effectively over 30 years old including the Coromandel FM era, and was rebranded by Mediaworks in 2015.
Local programming:Matt Hobbs hosts 10 am – 3 pm.
Waikato
[edit]92-2 More FM Waikato is a radio station based in central Hamilton. More FM was started in 1999 in the Waikato region when K-M and Darren left the breakfast show on Classic Hits to help start up More FM and the station was totally local through until midnight.
The sole transmitter for More FM Waikato is at Ruru, approximately 25 km east of Hamilton.
Local programming: Cam Loft hosts 10 am – 3 pm.
Bay of Plenty
[edit]93-4 More FM Bay of Plenty is a local radio station based in central Tauranga broadcasting across the Bay of Plenty Region. The transmitter is on Kopukairua. Before the re-branding to More FM, this local station was known as 93.4 Coastline FM. During part of 2015 and the start of 2016 the station also broadcast its programming into Rotorua to provide Bay of Plenty wide shows however this decision was later reversed in February 2016. Lauren White presented the local workday show between 10 am – 3 pm until the end of 2018 when she moved to host the breakfast show in Queenstown. The station no longer has local programming.
Rotorua
[edit]95-9 89-2 More FM Rotorua is a local radio station based on Ranolf Street in central Rotorua, broadcasting across the Rotorua region. The main transmitter is at Pukepoto, 9 km east of central Rotorua. A second transmitter in the Paeroa Range broadcasts to Reporoa, Broadlands, Ngakuru, Waikite Valley and Tokoroa on 89.2, and can also be picked up across most parts of the Northern side of Taupō. This station was formerly Lakes 96FM. During part of 2015 and the start of 2016 the station received its local programming from Tauranga however this decision was later reversed in February 2016. Maxwell Goodman presented the local workday show from 10 am – 3 pm until it was dropped and replaced by a network workday show. A local workday show was reinstated in January 2022.
Local programming: Jack Girling presents a local workday show between 10 am – 3 pm and a local Saturday morning show between 6 am – 12 pm.
Gisborne/Wairoa
[edit]98-9 More FM Gisborne & Wairoa is a local radio station broadcasting from the heart of Gisborne City. The station was originally branded as 89FM and owned by Gisborne Media Centre, RadioWorks purchased the assets of Gisborne Media Centre in February 2005 and in May 2005 rebranded the station as More FM. Originally on 89.3, More FM Gisborne moved to 89.9 (rural coverage) and 98.9 (city coverage) in early 2007. Another repeater (also on 98.9) was set up to service the northern Hawkes Bay town of Wairoa in April 2007. The 89.9 frequency was adjusted to 90.1 in late 2010.
Local programming: Breakfast presented by Bevan Chapman from 5:30 am.
Taupō
[edit]93-6 More FM Taupō is a radio station based in Taupō, broadcasting across the Central Plateau. The More FM brand replaced the previous local branded 93.5 KIS FM. More FM Taupō takes great pride in putting a tremendous amount of focus on their surrounding community and play an extremely active role in local events such as The New Zealand Ironman & The Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge. The station has regularly made the finals at the New Zealand Radio Awards in a variety of different categories including winning Best Provincial Breakfast Show in 2010, 2012, 2014 & 2015 plus being named Provincial Station of The Year in 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015.
Local programming: Breakfast presented by Andrew Leiataua.
Taranaki
[edit]93-2 More FM Taranaki, was formerly 93.2 Energy FM, named after the energy province. Broadcasts from central New Plymouth and broadcasts to all of Taranaki and can be heard in North Wanganui.
Local programming: Breakfast presented by Ken Swan along with Saturday breakfast from 6 – 10 am. Tyrese Epiha hosts the work day show from 10 am – 3 pm. Broadcaster and journalist Will Johnston is a relief announcer on Saturdays and public holidays.
Hawke's Bay
[edit]88-7 More FM Hawke's Bay is a local radio station based in Hastings, New Zealand, broadcasting across Hawke's Bay. The More FM brand replaced the previous local station HOT 93FM, which began broadcasting in December 1983 as Radio Hawke's Bay 93FM, the frequency was always 92.7FM, and in April 2015 More FM relaunched and moved to 88.7FM. Along with the frequency change, the station also switched to the networked breakfast with the local breakfast announcers moving from More FM to a newly created local show on The Breeze Hawkes Bay.
Local programming on Hawke's Bays 88-7 More FM no longer exists.
Whanganui
[edit]92-8 More FM Whanganui (formerly Star FM) is a local radio station based in central Whanganui. The station became completely networked 24/7 in 2015 receiving the networked breakfast show, then the network day show. Local programming returned in 2016 with a local 10 am – 3 pm workday show.
Local programming: Sue Miller presents the local workday show from 10 am – 3 pm and Saturday Mornings 6 – 10 am.
Manawatū
[edit]92.2 More FM Manawatū is a local radio station based in Palmerston North broadcasting across the Manawatū region. Before the More FM re-branding in 2005, this station was a very famous heritage station known as 2XS FM. The station's transmitter is located atop Wharite Peak in the Ruahine Range, approximately 20 km northeast of Palmerston North.
Local Breakfast Show: Breakfast presented by Gareth Pringle and Sarah Laurence
Kāpiti Coast/Horowhenua
[edit]90-3 More FM Kapiti/Horowhenua is a local radio station based on the Kāpiti Coast and Horowhenua regions. Before the More FM re-branding in 2005 the Horowhenua station was named Horowhenua's 95FM with the Kapiti station named 2XX. Dave Key presented a local breakfast show up until 2015. In 2016 there was no local programming on the station. From July 2017 until June 2020, Pauline Gillespie and Grant Kereama's Wellington based breakfast show was broadcast to Kapiti / Horowhenua. Since June 2020 there is again no local programming.
Wairarapa
[edit]89-5 More FM Wairarapa is a radio station based in Masterton broadcasting to the Wairarapa province. The station was founded by Paul Henry in 1991 as "89.3 TODAY FM. In 1992 Paul Henry sold the station to PORT FM in Timaru and was later rebranded as HITZ 89FM Wairarapa's Best Music. XS Corporation in Manawatū purchased the station in the mid-1990s. The station broadcasts on 89.5 MHz from the Popoiti transmitter, 25 km south of Masterton, and since 2010 to the Castlepoint Beach region on 105.9 MHz.
Local programming: Brent Gare hosts the local weekday breakfast show.
Wellington
[edit]95-3 99-7 More FM Wellington is based in Wellington which is the birthplace of the More FM brand, with the first broadcast of a More FM station occurring there on 6 May 1991 as 99/100 More FM. "Not Too Heavy Not Too Soft". The station went to air with award-winning Breakfast Host Simon "Swampy" Marsh and Anemarie Gold. The station later became known as 94.7/100 More FM following a change in frequency. Today the station is known as 95-3 99-7 More FM Wellington, again following a change in frequency.
In 2004 the 98.9 MHz frequency originally used by More FM Wellington was relocated to 94.7 MHz (formerly used by Channel Z) and provided coverage to the Hutt Valley area of Wellington. The more powerful 100 MHz frequency provided coverage to the majority of the Wellington urban area, and could often be heard at the top of the South Island and into the southern Wairarapa. In 2010, the station frequencies were moved to 95.3 and 99.7 respectively after a nationwide reorganisation of the FM band. The main transmitter is located atop Mount Kaukau in Khandallah, 6 km north of central Wellington, and broadcasts on 99.7. Two secondary transmitters are located at Haywards on 99.7, to infill much of the Hutt Valley, and at Fitzherbert (between Naenae and Wainuiomata) on 95.3, to infill Lower Hutt and Wainuiomata.
The previous network weekday show was presented by Geoff Stagg from the Wellington studios until 2015. After Geoff's departure the network weekday show began being presented from Auckland leaving no local programming from Wellington. In June 2017 local weekday programming returned to the Wellington studio with the workday programme now presented locally between 10 am and 3 pm. From July 2017 until June 2020, Polly Gillespie and Grant Kereama did breakfast.
Local programming on Wellington More FM no longer exists.
Nelson
[edit]92-8 More FM Nelson is a local radio station broadcasting from the heart of Nelson city to the Tasman District; including Motueka and Tākaka on 92 MHz and Murchison on 94.1 MHz. Before the More FM re-branding in 2005 this station was known famously as Fifeshire FM. To this day the station is located in the historic Fifeshire House. Max Goodman presented a local workday show from 2021-2024; from 2025 a local show is hosted by Jane.
Marlborough
[edit]More FM Marlborough is based in Blenheim. At the end of 2007 MediaWorks purchased Marlborough Media which included two local stations, Sounds FM and Easy FM. Easy FM was rebranded as The Breeze earlier in 2008 and in August 2008 Sounds FM was rebranded as More FM. More FM Marlborough broadcasts on 92.9 MHz in Blenheim where the station is based, on 94.7 in Picton and also on 89.9 MHz in Kaikōura. Until 2015 the station had a local breakfast show presented by Josh Fogden and Natasha Knox. Max Goodman presented a local workday show (from the Nelson studios) from 2023-2023; today there is no local programming.
Christchurch
[edit]92-1 More FM Canterbury is a radio station broadcasting across Canterbury. The station was one of the original More FM stations. The station broadcasts on 92.1 across Canterbury and on 94.9 in Sumner/Redcliffs, 99.1 in Akaroa and 104.5 in Lyttelton.
The station was started as an adult contemporary (AC) format station and continues with that format to this day. More FM Christchurch was operated by the Frader Group Limited. The first hosts of the morning show were James Daniels and Ken Ellis who had moved from 91ZM.
From 1 April 1997 Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford became the new More FM Christchurch breakfast hosts after moving from Christchurch's then local 91ZM station.[5] Si and Phil's show was networked into Dunedin from 1996 when The Radio Network started a networked ZM station in Dunedin. After Si and Phil moved to More FM Christchurch a new More FM station was established in Dunedin taking the Si and Phil breakfast show and running their own local programming during the day.
In April 2003 Gary McCormick joined the breakfast show in preparation for Phil Gifford's departure later in 2003. Networking of Si and Gary's breakfast show to Dunedin was discontinued at the end of 2004 following the changes made to the network at the time. The show was then networked to Nelson since 2007 and in 2014 became the new More FM network breakfast show, networked to various More FM stations across the country. Simon Barnett, Lana Searle, and The Breakfast Club are the current breakfast show that is networked around New Zealand's main centres.
In 2015 the Christchurch Afternoon show was networked nationwide presented by Lana Searle and Jason Gunn. In late April 2018, Lana moved to Breakfast and Jay-Jay Feeney joined Jason Gunn on drive.
Local programming: More FM network breakfast show with Simon Barnett, Lana Searle and The Breakfast Club. Amber Russell presents the local workday show from 10 am – 3 pm. Saturday breakfast presented by Bondy from 6am – 10am. After 10 am, local weekend shows are presented by various announcers.
South Canterbury
[edit]97.9 More FM Timaru is a radio station broadcasting across South Canterbury. The station broadcasts on 97.9 across Timaru, 94.9 & 98.9 in Ashburton, 100.8 in Oamaru & various frequencies through the Mackenzie country. A recent addition to the More FM network, this station was originally known as Port FM and was taken over by MediaWorks in 2018 and was rebranded in 2018.
Local programming: Amber Russell presents the local workday show from 10 am – 3 pm as well as weekend breakfast shows from Christchurch.
Dunedin
[edit]97-4 & 100.6 More FM Dunedin is a radio station broadcasting across Dunedin. More FM was originally broadcast in Dunedin on 98.2 and was locally presented, except for the Christchurch 'Si & Gary' breakfast show which was networked. In 2004 as part of the More FM brand roll out across the country, it moved to the 97.4 MHz frequency, and replaced Dunedin radio station 4XO, creating 97.4 More FM Dunedin. An integration of the former presenters of 4XO & 98 More FM could be heard on the station. The 98.2 MHz frequency is now Dunedin's The Breeze 98.2 MHz – another of MediaWorks networked stations. In April 2015 breakfast presenters Damian and Kellie were moved from More FM to Dunedin's The Breeze and the networked breakfast show presented by Si & Gary returned to the Dunedin market after a 10-year absence. From January 2018 Mediaworks allocated 100.6FM as an additional frequency for the station. 100.6FM was used to broadcast dual programming into the market with Polly & Grant for breakfast followed by a workday show however as of the start of 2020, Polly & Grant were removed and replaced with the network breakfast show.
Local programming: Breakfast presented from Christchurch by Simon Barnett and Lana Searle between 5:30 – 10 am. Amber Russell presents the local workday show from 10 am – 3 pm, also from Christchurch.
Clutha
[edit]92-9 93-7 More FM Clutha is a radio station based in Balclutha the station transmits on 93.7 MHz and 92.9 MHz. The station was previously known as Big River Radio with limited local programming and a simulcast of More FM Dunedin outside of local hours, the history of this simulcast goes back to 1992 when Big River Radio ran 4XO programming outside of local programming hours. In recent years the station was branded as More FM's Big River Radio during local programming. Local programming was removed in 2017 with local announcer Brad Jeffrey moved to Dunedin to present a local daytime show for Dunedin and Balclutha. Today More FM Clutha runs network programming at all times with local station ids and adverts.
Queenstown, Wānaka and Central Otago
[edit]More FM Queenstown, Wanaka and Central Otago broadcasts on 92.0, 99.4 90.3 and 94.3 MHz and covers Queenstown, Wānaka, Alexandra, Cromwell and other parts of Central Otago. Initially Queenstown and Central Otago had separate More FM stations.
More FM Queenstown began broadcasting in Queenstown on 99.2 MHz after local station Resort Radio was rebranded as More FM. In 2009 More FM traded places with Q92 The Breeze on the FM dial. Previously the Central Otago frequencies operated as More FM Central Otago following a rebrand from Radio Central. Following the rebrand to More FM the station remained local between 6 am and 7 pm however the station operations were gradually integrated with More FM Queenstown and the More FM network. Advertising and Station ID's remain localised to both the Queenstown and Central Otago Markets.
Local programming: Breakfast presented by Joel Palmer 6 am – 10 am weekdays.
Southland
[edit]89-2 More FM Southland broadcasts to the Southland region. The location of transmission is the Kordia (formerly BCL) site at Hedgehope. The station was originally started by a group of local investors as Foveaux Radio (4XF, 1224 kHz) in 1982, the station was bought by Radio Otago in the late 1980s and started broadcasting as "89.2 Foveaux FM" in the early 1990s.
Foveaux FM became Southland's 89.2 More FM in January 2005 as part of RadioWorks' move to rebrand all 'heritage' stations as More FM. Announcers were James McRobie, Gretchen Blomfield, Carl Mills and Daryl Shuttleworth. More FM also continued to broadcast on 1224 AM until October 2007 when BSport launched on this frequency. The 91.6 MHz frequency that Radio Pacific (BSport's predecessor) broadcast on was used to launch The Breeze into Southland. In December 2007 Southland's More FM began broadcasting in the Te Anau area on 96.0 MHz.
Local programming: Simon 6 am – 10 am, Corbyn 10 am – 3 pm
More FM News & Sport
[edit]News and sports bulletins are broadcast on all More FM stations seven days a week. The news is supplied by the MediaWorks newsroom and is sub-edited by More FM on weekdays. During weekday breakfast until midday (6 am – 11.30 am), the bulletins are on the half hour, presented by Glen Stuart. From 12 pm – 6 pm weekdays, the bulletins are read at the top of each hour by Bridget Hastie. From 6 am – 6 pm weekends the bulletins are at the top of the hour only, provided by the MediaWorks newsroom.
Geoff Bryan reads the weekday evening news updates.
Previous nationwide newsreaders
[edit]| Newsreader | Show | Year resigned | Reason for Leaving | Last known station |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hilary Barry | Network Breakfast | 2008 | Left to pursue new role as RadioLIVE Breakfast newsreader and TV3 News anchor | TVNZ Seven Sharp host |
| Jennifer Bainbridge | Network Days-Drive | 2014 | Left to pursue new role as The Rock Morning Rumble newsreader Now Days on The Rock FM | The Rock FM |
| Angie Skerrett | Network Breakfast | 2016 | Left to move cities, now reads news on weekends | RNZ announcer/
newsreader |
| Brin Rudkin | Network Days-Drive | 2017 | Left to pursue new role as RadioLIVE host and editorial producer | Newsreader at The Hits & ZM |
Previous nationwide announcers
[edit]| Announcer | Show | Duration | Reason for Leaving | Last known station |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amber Peebles | Network breakfast show | 2011–2012 | Left to pursue television project | |
| Dominic Bowden | "The More FM Most Wanted" Night show | January 2005 – June/July 2005 | Left to focus on New Zealand Idol commitments at TVNZ | Today FM (now defunct) |
| Tarsh Tolson | More FM Nights | September 2005 – June 2007 | Moved to Wellington to co-host the local More FM breakfast show | Fill in Host on The Rock FM |
| Lee Plummer | More FM Nights | 2007–2011 | Maternity leave | Fill-in newsreader and host on RNZ National |
| Marc Ellis | Network breakfast | 2011–2013 | Resigned from show | Sports Cafe-ish podcast host |
| Hayley Holt | Network breakfast | 2013 | Auckland based breakfast was cancelled | TVNZ Sports host |
| Simon Barnett | Canterbury/Networked Breakfast | 1997–2018 | Elected not to renew contract with More FM | Afternoons on Newstalk ZB (returned to More FM in 2025) |
Defunct More FM stations
[edit]Hawke's Bay's 92 More FM was New Zealand's first franchised More FM radio station and began transmission from its Napier studios in 1994 and continued until the mid to late 1990s when the More FM name was dropped to become 'Hawke's Bay's 92FM'. The station broadcast on 91.9 MHz from studios in Hastings Street and featured Peter Mac (McIlwaine) and Nicki Sunderland on breakfast. Other announcers included Kyllee Higgins (now Kyllee King-Turner), Scotty Mac, Nik Menzies, Cath White, James Milner, Grant Magrath (pre-recorded mid-dawns) Kev Stanton and Greg Wattam. The station's slogan was 'More Music, More Variety' which was in line with the other More FM stations around the country at that time. The station was operated as a franchise by Radio Otago. In 1996, 92 More FM was relocated to Hastings where it joined fellow Radio Otago station Hot 93 in the BNZ Building. Live content was reduced around this time with the night show being fully automated. In 1997 Radio Otago sold their 7 North Island stations to Energy Enterprises, at this point the More FM branding was dropped and later the station was replaced with network station Solid Gold FM. Solid Gold has since been rebranded as The Sound.
Kapiti's 99.6 More FM began transmission across the Kāpiti Coast and Horowhenua regions around 1994 and remained on air until 2004 when it was replaced by The Breeze. The station's programming was generated from More FM in Wellington, although it ran an entirely separate programme to the Wellington station outside of breakfast. Voicebreaks were recorded in advance by the announcer in the Wellington studio. Localised weather forecasts, station IDs and jingles also helped create a local sound. 99.6 More FM played a slightly different music mix to the Wellington station where its programming originated from, although they both shared the 'More Music, More Variety' and later 'Today's Best Music Mix' slogans.
Dunedin's 98 More FM began broadcasting in Dunedin around 1997. The breakfast show, originally presented by Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford was a simulcast from Christchurch's 92 More FM. Other shows were a mixture of locally produced shows and shows prerecorded also from More FM in Christchurch. 98 More FM was replaced with a simulcast of The Breeze Christchurch when local station 4XO was rebranded as 97.4 More FM.
Ratings
[edit]As of May 2025, More FM has the fourth-highest share of the New Zealand commercial radio market at 6.7%.[6]
| Market | Station share | Change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| All markets | 6.7 | 4 | |
| Auckland | 4.8 | 6 | |
| Christchurch | 11.2 | 3 | |
| Wellington | 4.5 | 9 | |
| Waikato | 3.4 | 11 | |
| Tauranga | 5.0 | 10 | |
| Manawatū | 7.1 | 7 | |
| Hawke's Bay | 6.6 | 7 | |
| Northland | 15.0 | 2 | |
| Dunedin | 7.4 | 6 | |
| Taranaki | 10.0 | 4 | |
| Nelson | 8.1 | 5 | |
| Southland | 11.8 | 2 | |
| Rotorua | 4.8 | 9 |
References
[edit]- ^ "TOTAL NZ COMMERCIAL RADIO – SURVEY 1 2021" (PDF). 29 April 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
- ^ "Radio Survey". TRB. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
- ^ "Doug Gold: The More FM Story". 1 September 2001. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
- ^ "More FM Shows". More FM. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
- ^ Decision No. 294 Archived 28 September 2006 at the Wayback Machine Commerce Commission, Wellington New Zealand, 1997.
- ^ a b "Surveys & Research". Radio Broadcasters Association. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
External links
[edit]More FM
View on GrokipediaHistory
Origins and early development
More FM originated from the Wellington-based student radio station Radio Windy, which had been broadcasting since the 1970s and was owned by Brierley Investments' SoundWaves Corporation.[4] In 1991, Doug Gold, the former managing director of Radio Windy, co-founded More FM alongside business partner Craig Thompson, aiming to create a new adult contemporary network with broad appeal targeting a wide demographic.[4] The venture was launched under independent ownership, with Gold leveraging his experience in private radio to develop a format centered on popular music hits and engaging local programming.[12] The network's first station debuted in Wellington on May 6, 1991, with subsequent expansion to Christchurch in the early 1990s, marking the official start of More FM broadcasting.[4] The inaugural song aired was Rod Stewart's "The Rhythm of My Heart," setting the tone for an adult contemporary playlist that emphasized familiar, upbeat tracks.[4] Key early team members included general manager Chris Muirhead, programme director Chris Byrnes, production manager Dean Brain, and accountant Lyn Chung, who helped establish the operational framework for the stations.[4] Pre-launch efforts secured $1.7 million in advertising commitments, providing crucial financial backing for the rollout.[4] Early development faced significant hurdles, including a $3 million lawsuit from Brierley Investments alleging fiduciary breaches related to Gold's prior role, though the claims were ultimately withdrawn after an injunction attempt.[4] Despite this, the network expanded rapidly, introducing a franchise model to grow beyond owned stations; Hawke's Bay's 92 More FM became New Zealand's first franchised affiliate, launching in Napier in 1994 and operating under local management while adhering to the network's format standards.[13] By 1997, More FM had grown to eight stations across the country, demonstrating strong market penetration in the competitive private radio landscape.[14] This period solidified the brand's focus on accessible, music-driven content that appealed to a mainstream audience.[4]Ownership transitions
More FM was established in 1991 as a private radio network in New Zealand, founded by media entrepreneur Doug Gold and his business partner, building on earlier stations like Wellington's Radio Windy, which had been owned by Brierley Investments' SoundWaves Corporation.[4][15] In June 1997, the More FM Group, encompassing several More FM stations along with The Breeze and Channel Z brands, was acquired by Canadian media company CanWest Global Communications for NZ$33 million, marking the network's first major ownership change and integrating it into CanWest's expanding New Zealand radio portfolio.[4][15][16] By 2000, CanWest had consolidated its New Zealand radio assets, including More FM, under CanWest MediaWorks (NZ) Ltd., a subsidiary that also managed TV3 and other stations; this entity listed on the New Zealand Exchange in 2005, providing public market access to the More FM network.[16][17] In May 2007, CanWest sold a 70% stake in CanWest MediaWorks (NZ) Ltd. to Australian private equity firm Ironbridge Capital for NZ$727 million (including net debt), with Ironbridge acquiring full control by 2008 and rebranding the company as MediaWorks New Zealand, under which More FM continued to operate as a core brand.[18][19] MediaWorks faced financial challenges amid the global financial crisis, leading to a 2013 receivership where U.S. investment firm Oaktree Capital Management emerged as the majority owner with a 26.7% stake initially, later increasing to 77.8% by 2015 and achieving 100% ownership through debt restructuring.[18] In 2018, MediaWorks merged its assets with Australian outdoor advertising company QMS Media New Zealand, granting QMS a 40% shareholding while Oaktree retained 60%, a structure that adjusted to QMS holding approximately 55% by 2025.[18][6] On April 7, 2025, QMS acquired Oaktree's remaining 45% stake, securing full ownership of MediaWorks New Zealand and, by extension, the More FM network.[20][21]Regional expansion
More FM originated as a single station in Wellington, launching on May 6, 1991, under the leadership of co-founders Doug Gold and Craig Thompson, who secured the frequency through a public tender process and pre-sold $1.7 million in advertising to fund the venture.[4] The station quickly gained traction with its adult contemporary format, focusing on local programming and contemporary music, setting the stage for broader network development. By the early 1990s, More FM had expanded to Christchurch and Auckland, establishing independent local stations in these major markets to capture regional audiences while maintaining the brand's emphasis on familiar hits and community engagement.[13] This initial growth culminated in a network of eight stations by 1997, when Canadian media company CanWest Global acquired the More FM group for $33 million, marking a significant milestone in its regional footprint.[14] The acquisition included two stations in Auckland, three in Wellington, and one each in Christchurch, Dunedin, and the Kapiti Coast, allowing CanWest to leverage the brand's popularity for national synergies while preserving local content delivery. Under CanWest's ownership—later restructured as CanWest MediaWorks—the network continued to build through the 2000 purchase of RadioWorks, which added complementary assets and extended coverage to additional urban and regional areas.[22] A pivotal phase of regional expansion occurred in late 2004, when MediaWorks (the New Zealand arm of CanWest) rebranded 15 independent local stations across the country to the More FM banner, transforming it into a nationwide network spanning from Whangarei in the north to Invercargill in the south.[23] This initiative integrated stations in markets such as Hamilton, Palmerston North, New Plymouth, and Timaru, retaining local announcers, news, and events to ensure community relevance while introducing shared national elements like contests and sponsorships. The rebranding, completed by mid-January 2005, boosted More FM's reach to over 20 markets without resulting in redundancies, solidifying its position as New Zealand's leading adult contemporary network.[23] Subsequent acquisitions, such as Port FM in Timaru in 2018, further extended the brand into underserved regions, emphasizing scalable yet localized programming.[24]Development of network programming
More FM's network programming originated with the station's launch in Wellington on May 6, 1991, as a fully local adult contemporary service positioned as "Not too Heavy, Not too Soft," featuring a mix of music, news, and community-focused content produced in-house.[4] Under founders Doug Gold and Craig Thompson, the initial programming emphasized regional relevance, with key roles filled by local talent such as programme director Chris Byrnes and production manager Dean Brain, who crafted playlists and segments tailored to Wellington listeners.[4] As More FM expanded to eight stations across New Zealand by the mid-1990s, including Christchurch and Auckland, programming remained predominantly local to preserve market-specific appeal, with each outlet developing its own music rotations, talk segments, and events coverage.[4] The 1997 sale to CanWest Global Communications for $33 million marked the beginning of gradual networking, as the company sought efficiencies through shared resources while retaining local identities.[4] That year, Christchurch's breakfast show, hosted by Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford after their move from rival 91ZM, with Gary McCormick joining as co-host in 2003, introduced a high-energy format blending humor, interviews, and music that would later become a syndication flagship.[25] The shift toward networked programming accelerated in 2007 under new owner MediaWorks, which acquired CanWest's radio assets, when the Christchurch breakfast show began syndicating to Nelson's 93 More FM starting June 25, allowing smaller markets access to established personalities while integrating local news breaks.[26] This hybrid approach expanded in October 2011 following the resignation of Auckland's long-time breakfast host Jeremy Corbett after 18 years, paving the way for further national alignment.[27] By 2014, the Si & Gary breakfast was networked to Auckland, Wellington, and Waikato, reaching over 1 million listeners weekly and boosting the network's share to 20.5% in Christchurch—its highest in over a decade—through consistent entertainment-driven content.[28] MediaWorks refined this model in the mid-2010s, balancing syndicated metro shows with regional breakfasts in areas like Northland, Manawatu, Bay of Plenty, and Coromandel to foster community ties, resulting in a 12.6% national audience growth to 331,600 by 2015.[29] Evening and drive-time slots increasingly featured national syndication, emphasizing music mixes and celebrity interviews. In recent years, the network has introduced fresh syndicated programming, such as The Ash London Show, which debuted on February 10, 2025, airing weeknights from 7-9 PM across stations, focusing on contemporary hits, storytelling, and audience interaction to appeal to 25-54 demographics.[30] In early 2025, Simon Barnett returned to host the More FM Breakfast show, rejoining after a period away and bringing his long-standing popularity back to the networked morning slot.[8] This evolution has solidified More FM's position as New Zealand's leading adult contemporary network, prioritizing scalable personalities while adapting to digital audio trends.Programming and format
Network-wide shows
More FM's network-wide programming consists of syndicated shows broadcast across its stations in multiple New Zealand markets, complementing local content during daytime hours. These shows typically air outside peak local programming slots, providing a consistent mix of music, entertainment, and talk tailored to the station's adult contemporary format targeting female listeners aged 30-49. The networked lineup emphasizes feel-good content, celebrity interviews, and interactive segments, with a focus on high school-era hits and contemporary pop.[31] The flagship network-wide show is The Breakfast Club, hosted by Simon Barnett and Lana Searle (with contributions from Adam Percival and Paul Sinclair), airing weekdays from 5:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Launched in its current form in early 2025 with Barnett's return after a six-year hiatus, the program features humorous banter, listener call-ins, and topical discussions, drawing on Barnett's long history in New Zealand radio. It is syndicated to major markets, fostering a national audience through shared episodes available on the rova app and podcast platforms.[32][33][34] Afternoons feature More FM Drive (also known as Driving You Home), hosted by Sarah Gandy and Adam Percival, broadcast weekdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The show delivers a blend of upbeat music, traffic updates, and light-hearted chats on lifestyle topics, with Gandy's engaging style highlighted in segments like celebrity guests and listener competitions. This program is fully networked, ensuring uniformity across stations while allowing brief local news inserts.[35][36] Evenings include The Ash London Show, a relatively new addition hosted by Australian radio personality Ash London, airing Monday to Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. since February 2025. London, known for her work on Australian TV and podcasts like Hopeless Romantics, brings interviews with artists and romantic storytelling to the lineup, appealing to More FM's female-skewing demographic. Following this is More FM Nights, hosted by veteran broadcaster Brad Watson from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. weekdays, featuring a relaxed music mix and overnight companionship. Watson, with over 25 years in New Zealand radio, took over nights in early 2025, emphasizing classic hits and dedications.[37][30][38] Overnight and weekend programming rounds out the network-wide slate with automated or lightly hosted segments like More FM After Dark and More FM Weekends, playing extended playlists of favorite songs from the 1980s to present. These blocks, airing from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily and 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekends, maintain the station's core music focus without live hosts in most markets, supporting 24/7 coverage across 24 centers.[5][39]Local content and variations
More FM incorporates a blend of networked and local programming across its stations in New Zealand, with local content primarily featured during morning and daytime slots in select markets to cater to regional audiences. In some locations, stations air local programming from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m., including breakfast and midday shows hosted by regional personalities, while the remainder of the schedule relies on national networked content such as music mixes and syndicated evening programs. This structure allows for community-focused elements like tailored advertisements, traffic updates, and event promotions, enhancing listener relevance without disrupting the station's adult contemporary format targeting female listeners aged 30-49.[39][31] Local content emphasizes hyper-local news, weather, and sports bulletins delivered multiple times daily, often integrated into breakfast and drive-time segments to reflect regional happenings. For instance, stations provide updates on local traffic conditions, community events, and competitions with prizes like concert tickets or cash, which are customized to draw in area-specific participants. Competitions frequently tie into regional festivals or sponsorships, such as farm-related promotions in rural areas, fostering a sense of connection for listeners. Music remains consistent network-wide—focusing on high school hits and contemporary favorites—but local DJs may intersperse regional artist spotlights or listener requests during open segments.[2][31] Variations in programming occur by market size and location, with larger urban centers like Auckland often leaning more on networked elements for efficiency, while smaller regional stations prioritize fully local shows to build community loyalty. Breakfast programming exemplifies this: the national Breakfast Club with hosts Si and Lana airs from 5:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. weekdays across many stations, featuring light-hearted banter, games, and national news. However, in regions like Manawatu, the slot is hosted locally by Gareth and Sarah from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., incorporating Palmerston North-specific topics such as local school events or regional sports. Similarly, in Taranaki, Ken Swan hosts a solo local breakfast show from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., following a 2024 redundancy that shifted from a duo format, allowing for in-depth coverage of New Plymouth-area news and listener interactions. Daytime shows from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. are localized in multiple markets, often featuring solo hosts or small teams who handle regional calls, music dedications, and promotions, contrasting with the uniform national afternoon drive and evening lineup. These adaptations ensure More FM maintains a balance between broad appeal and localized engagement, with 11 distinct breakfast variations reported across its network.[34][40][41][31]News and sports coverage
More FM stations deliver local and national news bulletins multiple times daily, integrated into their music-focused programming to keep listeners informed on current events, weather, and community matters. These bulletins emphasize regional relevance, with variations across stations to reflect local stories, such as traffic updates in urban areas or rural community news in smaller centers. As of February 2024, then-owner MediaWorks (fully acquired by QMS Media in April 2025), has partnered with Radio New Zealand (RNZ) to supply news content for its radio bulletins across the network, enhancing reliability and breadth while maintaining a concise format suitable for the station's adult contemporary audience.[42][6] Sports coverage on More FM is primarily incorporated into the news bulletins, offering brief updates on major New Zealand events like rugby matches, cricket scores, and netball results, aired seven days a week to align with listener interests in popular local sports. The network occasionally amplifies sports through promotional partnerships and special segments, such as presenting highlights from Super Rugby Pacific weekends in regions like Christchurch, where live event tie-ins and fan engagement boost community involvement. Additionally, More FM collaborates with broadcasters like Sky Sport NZ for promotions tied to high-profile tournaments, including the Women's Rugby World Cup, providing listeners with contest opportunities and awareness of upcoming games without dedicated full-time sports programming.[2][43]Stations and coverage
North Island stations
More FM operates an extensive network of stations across the North Island of New Zealand, providing adult contemporary music and local programming to urban and regional audiences. The network's coverage spans from the Far North to the southern tip of the island, with multiple transmitters ensuring broad reach in key markets. These stations are owned by QMS Media (through MediaWorks New Zealand) and operated by MediaWorks New Zealand and typically broadcast on FM frequencies between 88 and 107 MHz, adapting to local topography for optimal signal strength.[44] The primary North Island stations are concentrated in major cities and regions, often with additional repeater transmitters to serve surrounding areas. For example, in Auckland, the flagship station broadcasts on 91.8 FM from the Sky Tower, serving over 1.5 million listeners in the greater metropolitan area. Similarly, Hamilton's station on 92.2 FM covers the Waikato region, while Tauranga's 93.4 FM outlet targets the Bay of Plenty. These frequencies support a mix of networked shows and local announcements, contributing to More FM's strong regional footprint.[45][7]| Region/City | Primary Frequency | Key Transmitters/Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northland (Whangārei) | 91.6 FM | Kaitaia 91.6 FM, Kerikeri 107.3 FM, Paihia/Russell 95.2 FM, Tutukaka 94.4 FM; covers Far North and Bay of Islands | [46] |
| Auckland | 91.8 FM | Orewa/Rodney 88.9 FM, Mangawhai Heads 93.6 FM; urban coverage for Greater Auckland | [45] |
| Coromandel/Thames | 89.1 FM | Thames 89.1 FM, Whangamata 89.9 FM, Tairua/Pauanui 93.9 FM, Paeroa 93.2 FM; coastal and rural repeaters | [47] |
| Waikato (Hamilton) | 92.2 FM | Reporoa 89.2 FM; serves central North Island heartland | [7] |
| Bay of Plenty (Tauranga) | 93.4 FM | eastern coastal focus | [7] |
| Gisborne/East Coast | 98.9 FM | Wairoa 98.9 FM, main 90.1 FM; isolated regional service | [48] [49] |
| Taranaki (New Plymouth) | 93.2 FM | Opunake 92.8 FM, Okato 100.0 FM, Oakura 96.8 FM; west coast coverage | [50] [51] |
| Taupo | 93.6 FM | Acacia Bay 107.2 FM (LPFM), Kinloch 107.2 FM; central plateau | [45] |
| Whanganui | 92.8 FM | Regional transmitter for lower North Island | [45] |
| Manawatu (Palmerston North) | 92.2 FM | Kapiti Coast 90.3 FM; central lower North Island | [7] [47] |
| Hawke's Bay (Hastings/Napier) | 88.7 FM | Napier 88.7 FM; eastern urban hub | [7] |
| Wellington/Wairarapa | 95.3 FM | Hutt Valley 95.3 FM, 99.7 FM, Castlepoint 105.9 FM; capital city and surrounds | [45] [52] |
South Island stations
More FM operates several stations across the South Island of New Zealand, providing adult contemporary music programming with local news, events, and community-focused content tailored to regional audiences. These stations are part of the rova network owned by QMS Media (through MediaWorks) and broadcast on FM frequencies, often using multiple transmitters to ensure wide coverage in rural and urban areas. The network's South Island footprint emphasizes accessibility in key regions, from the northern Marlborough and Nelson areas to southern Southland, supporting local breakfast shows and regional promotions alongside national content.[2] The following table summarizes the primary More FM stations in the South Island, including main frequencies and coverage areas:| Region/Area | Primary Frequency | Key Transmitter Sites and Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nelson/Tasman | 92.8 FM | Broadcasts from Grampians; covers Nelson city and surrounding areas with local programming.[53] |
| Marlborough (Blenheim/Picton/Kaikōura) | 92.9 FM (Blenheim), 94.7 FM (Picton), 89.9 FM (Kaikōura) | Transmits from Wither Hills; focuses on local events in wine country and coastal communities.[54][55] |
| Canterbury (Christchurch) | 92.1 FM | Main transmitter at Sugarloaf; additional signals at 94.9 FM (Southshore), 99.1 FM, and 104.5 FM for broader metropolitan and peninsula coverage; features dedicated Christchurch breakfast team.[56][57] |
| South Canterbury (Timaru) | 93.1 FM | Covers Timaru and Waimate; additional 97.9 FM from Mt Horrible; emphasizes rural listener engagement.[58] |
| Otago (Dunedin) | 97.4 FM | Serves Dunedin and wider Otago; includes local news for the university city and surrounding districts.[7] |
| Central Otago (Queenstown/Wānaka/Alexandra) | 92.0 FM | Transmits to adventure tourism hubs; 92.8 FM extension in some areas; highlights regional events like festivals.[59][60] |
| Southland (Invercargill) | 96.0 FM | Broadcasts from Hedgehope; covers Invercargill and Te Anau; integrates Southland community stories.[61] |
Defunct stations
More FM's expansion in the 1990s through franchising and acquisitions led to several stations adopting the brand temporarily before ceasing operations or transitioning to other formats due to financial or market challenges. The network's founding team, led by Doug Gold and Craig Thompson, launched the first More FM stations in Wellington and Christchurch on May 6, 1991, evolving from the local Radio Windy format, and quickly grew to eight stations nationwide. However, not all ventures succeeded, with pre-launch advertising revenue of $1.7 million offset by legal battles and operational risks.[4] A prominent example of a defunct station associated with More FM was FM Country in Auckland, which the network took over and reformatted as Channel Z. This initiative proved unsuccessful, resulting in losses of $1.8 million and a halved audience share, ultimately leading to the closure of the original FM Country format under More FM management. The frequency continued under the Channel Z branding but marked an early failure in the network's growth strategy.[4] The franchising model also saw mixed results, with some independent stations adopting the More FM name before reverting or closing. For instance, Hawke's Bay's 92 More FM, New Zealand's inaugural franchised More FM station launched from Napier studios in the early 1990s, later dropped the branding to operate as Hawke's Bay's 92FM and was replaced by the Solid Gold format in 1997 as part of broader network realignments following CanWest Global's $33 million acquisition of More FM that year. These transitions reflected the competitive radio landscape and the shift toward centralized network programming.[62][4]Ratings and audience
Historical performance
More FM has historically maintained a prominent position among New Zealand's commercial radio networks, often ranking second or third in weekly cumulative audience reach for all people aged 10 and over, with a focus on adult contemporary music appealing to a broad demographic, particularly those aged 25-54 and 45-64.[63][64] In the late 2010s, the network experienced steady growth, reaching a peak cumulative audience of 586,700 listeners nationwide by mid-2018, reflecting successful programming strategies including local breakfast shows and network-wide adult hits.[9] This positioned More FM as one of the leading music stations, consistently outperforming competitors like ZM and The Rock in overall reach during that period.[9] Throughout the early 2020s, More FM's performance showed resilience amid the COVID-19 pandemic and shifting audio consumption habits, with weekly audiences hovering between 580,000 and 590,000 in major surveys, and market shares around 7-8%.[64][65] The network ranked third in cumulative audience in 2023, with 588,200 listeners and a 7.7% share, driven by strong performances in breakfast slots (8.0% share) and among 45-64-year-olds (10.6% share).[65] However, by 2024, audiences dipped slightly to 569,800 in Survey 1 (6.6% share, fifth in share ranking), aligning with broader industry trends of declining traditional radio listenership due to digital alternatives.[66][67] In regional markets, More FM has demonstrated particular strength, such as in Christchurch where it achieved the largest overall audience of 84,600 in 2025, surpassing sister station The Breeze.[68] Daily reach data indicates stability, with More FM holding a 4% share of New Zealanders listening daily in 2023 and 2024, ranking fifth among all radio stations in 2024.[67] By Survey 2 2025, the network's national cumulative audience stood at 514,000 (7.6% share, third overall), reflecting steady but not growing listenership amid a stable total commercial radio audience of 3.4 million.[69] The following table summarizes key national metrics from select GfK surveys (all people 10+, Mon-Sun 12mn-12mn, unless noted):| Survey | Cumulative Audience (000s) | Share (%) | Rank (Audience/Share) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 2018 | 543.4 | 8.4 | 3 / 2 | [63] |
| Mid-2018 (est.) | 586.7 | N/A | N/A | [9] |
| S1 2020 | 581.6 | 7.4 | 2 / 2 | [64] |
| S1 2023 | 588.2 | 7.7 | 3 / 4 | [65] |
| S1 2024 | 569.8 | 6.6 | 3 / 5 | [66] |
| S2 2025 | 514.0 | 7.6 | 3 / 3 (tied) | [69] |
Recent surveys and trends
In the first GfK Commercial Radio Survey of 2025, released in May, More FM recorded a nationwide weekly cumulative audience of 500,200 listeners among all people aged 10 and over, placing third behind Newstalk ZB and The Breeze, though this represented a slight decline of 3,500 listeners from the previous survey period.[68] In Christchurch, however, the station achieved its largest overall audience with 84,600 weekly listeners, an increase of 9,100, driven by the return of host Simon Barnett to the breakfast show, which drew 52,900 listeners and topped Newstalk ZB in that market.[68] Nationwide, More FM's station share stood at 6.7% for all people 10+, ranking fourth.[70] The second GfK survey of 2025, released in August, showed More FM rebounding with a nationwide weekly cumulative audience of 514,000 listeners, ranking third and marking an increase of approximately 14,000 from Survey 1.[69] The station's overall share rose to 7.6% among all people 10+, also third place, reflecting the largest gains among major networks in cumulative audience and breakfast listenership, with a 1% uptick in the latter.[71] In major markets, More FM's cumulative audience reached 422,500, up 8,800 from the prior survey, with share increasing to 7.7% from 6.7%; notable growth occurred among listeners aged 45-64 (up 9,500 to 215,700) and 55-74 (up 12,700 to 141,200).[72] Breakfast share in these markets climbed to 8.2% from 7.1%, securing second place.[72]| Survey Period | Nationwide Cumulative Audience (000s, All 10+) | Station Share (All 10+) | Key Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 2025 (Feb-May) | 500.2 | 6.7% | Slight national decline; strong Christchurch growth post-Barnett return[68][70] |
| S2 2025 (Aug-Nov 2024 data, but 2025 release) | 514.0 | 7.6% | Largest gains in audience and breakfast; upticks in older demographics[69][72][71] |
