Channel Z launched on 99.3FM in Christchurch in August 1999, bringing alternative rock and New Zealand music to a city that had few non-mainstream options on the dial. Its two years of local programming — Willy Macalister on days, Melanie Wise on nights — gave Christchurch a genuine alternative voice before the network consolidated all content from Auckland in 2001. The station became Kiwi FM in 2005 and was relaunched as a Christchurch online stream in 2019.
The New Zealand Broadcasting School (NZBS) at Ara Institute of Canterbury has operated on 96.1FM in Christchurch since the mid-1980s under a unique model: second-year radio students create an entirely new station brand each year, from concept and pitch through to on-air launch, advertising sales, and multimedia expansion. Known brands include The Attic (2013), Waves (2023), Bassline (2024), and Kokako 96.1 (2025). Alumni include Mike McRoberts, Kris Faafoi, Clarke Gayford, Jack Tame, and Miriama Kamo.
