04 July 2003 - 0 Comments
New Zealand's leading independent, local radio broadcaster, Mai FM 88.6, celebrates its 11th birthday today (4/7/03) with the imminent launch of a third station, this time in Northland.
One family opened their home this morning for a special birthday breakfast show 'live from their lounge' with Robbie Rakete's crew while loyal listeners will party with station staff at Auckland theme park Rainbow's End later tonight.
Mai Media Ltd managing director Graham Pryor says the Ngati Whatua-owned company hopes to duplicate the success of the Mai FM brand in both Auckland and Rotorua with the addition of a third frequency in Whangarei - Mai FM 97.8.
Mai FM 96.7 in Rotorua is already rating as the number one radio station in the Bay of Plenty town and has opened new offices in Pukaki Street.
Mai FM was launched by Te Runanga o Ngati Whatua in July 1992 and has established itself as the country's most successful Maori broadcaster.
It rocketed to top rating rangatahi station in less than three years and achieved its highest result ever in 2002, taking out the number one position in Auckland.
A new-look website (www.maifm.co.nz) includes on-line competition entry and internet radio access via 'Mai Click' which now has a database of more than 6,500 people.
More than 46,000 individual visits were recorded last month (June) with visitors most regularly checking out the titles of songs or Mai FM's photo gallery including shots from the Big Day Out 2003, LTSA Respect Concert and Coke Gig Southside.
The station plays the latest and greatest in hip hop, R'n'B, dance and pop music – both local and international – and is committed to the promotion of Maori language and culture.
It was one of the first local stations to fully computerise its broadcast, and the first to transmit from the Sky Tower.
As well as the Mai FM stations, Mai Media operates the urban music record label, Mai Music; national Maori language news and current affairs service, Ruia Mai; songwriting copyright administrator, Mai Publishing; and new public relations and communications arm, Mai Communications.
Mai Music also marks its 1st birthday this month (July) with top 10 chart success for reggae act Katchafire's debut album Revival, while Ruia Mai celebrated its 8th birthday at the end of June.
Mai Media is launching into multiple markets, Mr Pryor says – although branded as Mai FM, each station broadcasts its own unique programme.
"Our kaupapa as a business is to provide a path for talented youth, and each part of the Mai Media group plays a part in that.
"We're always looking for a competitive advantage in the world's most populated radio market so we're particularly heartened by the depth and range of our new initiatives which bodes well for the future."
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