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Council to demolish original 3ZB building
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3ZB transmitter building today
© Radio Heritage Foundation
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In the same week that Christchurch [New Zealand] hosted the UNESCO World Heritage Conference, local city councillor Gail Sheriff confirmed she was on the panel that agreed to demolish the original 3ZB transmitter building in North Beach. This is one of the few remaining radio heritage sites in a city where Ernest Rutherford conducted his radio broadcasts in 1894, possibly earlier than those of Marconi.
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Local businesses quickly supported 3ZB.
© David Lascelles Collection. NZRR 1937 |
In 1937, the National Commercial Broadcasting Service expanded to include 3ZB Christchurch, replacing the popular privately owned station 3ZM. As one of just four ZB stations in New Zealand, 3ZB immediately became the most listened to radio station in the city, broadcasting from a site in suburban North Beach.
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Popular local announcer Grace Green.
© David Lascelles Collection. NZRR 1938
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Through the dark days of WWII, programs from this location kept Canterbury listeners informed and entertained, and many popular personalities of the 'golden days of radio' were heard over 3ZB, such as Grace Green.
As such, the North Beach location is associated with the broadcast of many important local and global events and forms an important part of the city's social and popular culture heritage.
With few exceptions, traces of early radio broadcasting in what is arguably the world's 'home of radio' have been destroyed by time, neglect and indifference. Agreeing to the demolition of the 3ZB transmitter building is a deliberate decision of Gail Sheriff and other councillors, despite strong submissions calling for the building to be preserved and restored for contemporary use to honor its role in the city's heritage.
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'Christchurch architect H.Francis Willis inspects construction of
3ZB studios in Colombo Street, 1938'
© Green & Hahn Photography,
supplied courtesy of Amanda Ross
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In fact, the original draft of the plan recommended looking at alternative contemporary uses for the building as suggested by the Radio Heritage Foundation. Instead, the council did an about face in the final version, replacing the original recommended action with a new one of demolishing the building and did so without advising the Radio Heritage Foundation. We wonder why the secret change.
The Radio Heritage Foundation is leading the 'Save 3ZB Campaign' and is calling for the
management plan to be reviewed and the building protected. This will allow local community use with an operating local LPFM radio station studios and memorabilia of the original 3ZB, which celebrates its 70th anniversary on September 22 2007.
A business case is being prepared for restoring the building with local volunteers, relocating local community radio station Pier FM into new studios and offices, and developing an educational heritage area to celebrate the story of 3ZB within its own original transmitter building. The site already has power and water and the building is externally sound.
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'Fred & Maggie Everybody' was a favorite radio serial in 1937
© David Lascelles Collection, NZRR 1937
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Will you help Save 3ZB? Our locally based Save 3ZB Campaign volunteer coordinator is already on the job, bringing local groups together over the coming weeks to beat the bulldozers. Please help him.
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- Read the background on the 3ZB North Beach site and understand its importance to our national heritage
- Contact us with offers of time, money and resources or 3ZB memorabilia such as photos, plans and air checks
- Make a donation through our online donation button using your credit card [NZ donations over NZ$5 are tax
Deductible. Make sure you include your name and address so we can send a receipt]
- Contact Pier FM and offer your support
- Contact the North New Brighton Residents Association and ask them to support plans to keep the building
- Write to the editor of local newspaper The Press and support the Save 3ZB Campaign
- Email the Mayor Garry Moore, councillors Gail Sheriff, Carole Evans, Bob Parker, Sally Buck, Pat Harrow, David Cox, Anna Crighton, Helen Broughton, Bob Shearing, Graham Condon, Norm Withers, Barry Corbett, Sue Wells
- Email local community board representatives Glenda Burt, Caroline Kellaway, Tina Lomax, Don Rowlands
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Postcard to early listeners of 3ZB, broadcasting from North Beach site.
© Cleve Costello Collection, Radio Heritage Foundation
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You can also write to us and send donations, memorabilia, memories and offers of support and help to 'Save 3ZB Campaign', Radio Heritage Foundation, PO Box 14339, Wellington 6241.
The Radio Heritage Foundation is a registered non-profit charitable trust in New Zealand with supporters throughout New Zealand, Australia, the USA, Canada, Europe and elsewhere.
3ZB 70th Anniversary Reunion
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Dick Weir and 'Bertie the Germ' were great children's favorites
during the early 1970's on 3ZB.
© Radio Heritage Foundation Collection
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Former 3ZB staff and anyone else associated with radio broadcasting in Christchurch should contact Peter Burdett at CTV for details of the 'Celebrating 70 Years of Radio 3ZB in Christchurch' Reunion Dinner, Weekend and memorabilia displays 22-23 September 2007. You can also phone Peter on +64 3 353 4596.
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