Radio Active 88.6FM (formerly 89FM) is Wellington's independent alternative radio station, founded in 1977 as Victoria University of Wellington's student station and named in protest against the visit of nuclear warship USS Truxton. Granted New Zealand's first FM licence in 1981, it became the second station in New Zealand to broadcast on FM on February 22, 1982. The station was the first to play Shihad and Head Like A Hole, launched New Zealand's first hip-hop show in 1983, released early Fat Freddy's Drop recordings on its own label, and ran the landmark One Love Waitangi Day festival. Rescued from closure in 2017 by a charitable trust, it continues to broadcast as New Zealand's longest-serving FM station.
RDU 98.5FM is Christchurch's independent alternative radio station, founded on 23 February 1976 as Radio U under the University of Canterbury Students' Association. It became the first FM station in Christchurch in 1986 as UFM, and rebranded as RDU 98.5FM in 2002. Controversially privatised in 2006 when sold to James Meharry and Karyn South for $2, the station survived the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes by broadcasting from a converted horse truck, and moved to its permanent home in the Boxed Quarter in 2015. In 2026 RDU marks its 50th anniversary as a cornerstone of Christchurch's independent music culture.
2002, Sugarlicks Recordings, SUGARCD002 Following on from Sugarlicks first compilation ‘Urban Soul Pollution’, comes ‘Pacific Soul Warriors’ — without quite the high-profile line-up that…
Biography wellington dub/soul/funk outfit based around dj mu’s distinct live electronics (handling the rythm) and sporting one of the best horn sections this country…
