About Us

INTRODUCTION

Fresh FM broadcasts across the Nelson/Tasman region on 99.4, Eastern Golden Bay on 95.2, Nelson City on 95.4 and Blenheim on 89.2. Fresh FM is the only station broadcasting an access community format in the region and is the only access community station in New Zealand operating over such a wide region with multiple studios.
Our vision is that Fresh FM should reflect the aspirations, creativity, experiences, stories and music of the people who live in the region covering the top of the South Island. And through our broadcast frequencies and on-line services, share those things with the world.

HISTORY

The story of Fresh FM captures the dedication and foresight of individuals whose belief in local radio for the Nelson/Tasman region gave rise initially to two stations – Boulder Radio, based in Nelson city, and Harvest Radio which operated from Te Awhina Marae in Motueka. In the mid 1990s, under the umbrella of the Tasman Broadcasting Trust, the individual talents of the Boulder and Harvest teams were brought together to form Fresh FM.

FORMAT

Fresh FM is based on a community access format. We broadcast a programme mix which can include drama, music and documentaries that reflect the top of the South Island. This has opened the perspective of the access community format to the widest possible audience.

Our programme makers represent the Nelson/Tasman and Marlborough regions in the broadest sense. They are passionate individuals, giving their own time to make radio programmes that reflect the life stream of our community.

Our contract with New Zealand On Air provides funding which covers about 60% of our operating costs. We are required to meet the shortfall through limited general advertising, programme sponsorship, listener subscriptions (Club Fresh) and donations.

STUDIOS

Fresh FM broadcasts from studios in Nelson, Motueka and Takaka to a combined population base of over 80,000 people. We will open a studio in Blenheim soon (hopefully in the early part of 2008) to complete our network across the top of the South and add a further 20,000 potential listeners.