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.
Radio Control 99.4FM is Palmerston North's student radio station, broadcasting from Massey University since 1981. Founded as Masskeradio — New Zealand's first commercial student radio — the station launched the careers of Steven Joyce (RadioWorks, National MP, Minister of Finance) and helped shape the Manawatū alternative music scene across four decades.
Radio One 91FM is Dunedin’s student radio station, broadcasting on 91.0MHz from the University of Otago since 6 February 1984. Owned and operated by OUSA, the station played a central role in the Dunedin Sound era of the early 1980s, championing Flying Nun Records artists including The Chills, The Bats, Sneaky Feelings, and The Verlaines when commercial radio would not. Among its alumni are Shayne Carter, Jan Hellriegel, and Lesley Paris. In 1987 it became the first radio station in the world to broadcast news of the Fiji coup. Still active as the voice of Ōtepoti student music culture.
95bFM is Auckland's student and independent radio station, broadcasting on 95.0FM from the University of Auckland since 1969 — first as the pirate Radio Bosom and then as the licensed 95bFM from 1990. New Zealand's longest-standing independent broadcaster, it championed Flying Nun Records and first broke Sister Underground, OMC, Che Fu and Savage on Auckland radio, founded the bNet NZ Music Awards in 1999, and in 2005 conducted the interview in which Don Brash admitted foreknowledge of the Exclusive Brethren's election campaign.
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.
