For more than half a century, Radio 1XX has been at the heart of life in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, informing, entertaining and connecting communities while documenting the region's history as it happened.
The station officially went to air at 10.30am on Wednesday, June 30, 1971, broadcasting on 1240AM and becoming the Eastern Bay's first privately owned local radio station.
Before then, listeners relied on government-operated stations based in Tauranga.
The journey began in 1969 when a group of local business and community leaders saw the need for a station dedicated to the Eastern Bay.
Inspired by the efforts of Auckland's pirate station Radio Hauraki, they pursued a broadcasting licence, which was granted to Radio Whakatāne Limited on November 10, 1970.
The station officially began broadcasting on 30 June 1971, celebrated by a ceremony held in the 1XX car park.
Broadcasting Minister H.J. Walker symbolically launched the station by pressing a quarryman's explosion detonator, followed by an explosion sound effect and the first 1XX station jingle broadcast live to the region.
In his opening address, Walker described the new station as giving the Eastern Bay "its own voice," highlighting its importance in providing local news, entertainment, support for Māori and Pākehā culture, opportunities for local performers and businesses, and an essential communication service during emergencies.
The first song ever played on 1XX was "The House at Pooh Corner" by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, while one of the station's original jingles proudly proclaimed:
"From the Eastern Bay of Plenty, wherever you may go, the entertainment's better when you dial 1-2-4-0."
The story behind the name
The station's distinctive call sign also has a unique history.
The number ‘1’ identified the station as being located in New Zealand's upper North Island.
The first ‘X’ signified private ownership, while the second ‘X’ was simply chosen because no other broadcaster was using a double-letter call sign at the time.
Thus, the memorable name 1XX was born.
Growing with the community
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Radio 1XX became far more than just a broadcaster.
The station regularly appeared at community events with its distinctive promotional caravan, including fundraising activities such as the 1982 Kawerau Top Club Gala Day at Kawerau College.
Visitors paid 20 cents to guess the number of album covers decorating the caravan in support of the Polycorp computer complex, with an AM/FM portable radio offered as the prize.
The 1XX caravan itself received a fresh new design in late 1985 and became a familiar sight at community events throughout the Eastern Bay.
Photographs from the era also capture the station's bustling studios, newsroom and office building, documenting generations of broadcasters who became household names across the region.
Moving to FM
A major milestone arrived on December 12, 1988, when Radio 1XX officially switched from 1242AM to 90.5FM Stereo.
The transition was completed at precisely 12:12:12pm on 12/12/1988, following technical testing at the Mt Edgecumbe transmitter site by engineers Kel Rimmer and Grahame Bryce.
The official launch inside the new FM studios featured announcer Terry Casserly alongside Radio Bay of Plenty Limited founding chairman Ross Niederer and local MP Ian McLean.
Seven months later, Station Manager Glenn Smith reflected on the benefits of the move, particularly for the station's large rural audience.
"There are now cowshed radios available which receive FM, and I'm sure the cows will appreciate the clearer, sweeter transmission possible," he joked.
A station woven into community life
Across the decades, Radio 1XX has remained deeply involved in the Eastern Bay community.
From birthday celebrations and charity appeals such as the 2009 Christmas Presents for Samoa campaign, to the annual Polar Swim at Ōhope Beach, the station has maintained close ties with its listeners.
The station continues to uplift local charities with events such as the Pyjama Drive with the Clothing Project, and Cram the Van with various non-profit organisations across the Eastern Bay of Plenty.
Still the Eastern Bay's voice
Today, Radio 1XX continues to broadcast across the Eastern Bay of Plenty, combining local news, information, music and community coverage while embracing digital broadcasting alongside traditional radio.
More than 50 years after first signing on, the station remains true to the vision expressed on its opening day in 1971: to provide the Eastern Bay of Plenty with its own voice.
As generations of listeners have discovered, Radio 1XX has been more than a radio station—it has been part of the region's history, recording its triumphs, challenges and everyday stories while continuing to serve the community that created it.
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