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Hokonui Gold
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Hokonui Gold | |
 |
|
| Broadcast area | Southland New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Slogan | "Heart of the South" |
| First air date | 1994 |
| Frequency | 94.8 FM |
| Format | Adult Contemporary |
| Callsign meaning | 4ZG |
| Owner | Independent but operated by The Radio Network |
Hokonui Gold is an easy listening radio station that is based in Gore, New Zealand.
The station was formally known as 4ZG or Radio Hokonui, which broadcast on 558 AM and was operated by Radio New Zealand. In 1992 the station was reduced to just 4 hours a day of programming and outside this time a simulcast of 4ZA was played. In the eyes of many this changed seemed the station was dying of a slow and painful death so as a result two locals purchased the station. In 1994 4ZG became Hokonui Gold and reverted back to being live and local.
In 1996 Hokonui Gold made the move to FM when it began broadcasting on 92.4 (Forest Hill) and 94.8 (High Peak) but with a lack of FM Stereo sound found on most FM Stations. The 558 AM frequency was taken over by The Radio Network and was first used as a second frequency for Classic Hits ZAFM but later this frequency was used for Radio Sport.
Over the years Hokonui Gold continued to operate independently and competed well against many new network stations that arrived in Southland during the late 1990's. Hokonui Gold prided themselves on being a local station and once published advertisements stating We believe Auckland radio should stay in Auckland and Our bosses don't live in Canada or Ireland emphasing the fact the station is locally owned and operated.
In 2004 the station was leased back to The Radio Network, the successor to Radio New Zealand's commercial operations. Despite this change Hokonui Gold still remains live and local but now uses Newstalk ZB news service and The Radio Network advertising. One of the most popular shows on Hokonui Gold is the local Farming Show and this show is now played on Newstalk ZB in rural areas. In 2005 both frequencies were moved to Hedgehope and the 92.4 FM frequency reassigned to Coast. In 2006 spot coverage to West Otago was established on 95.2 FM High Peak.