Save Blowhole FM!
"Urgent press release, 2 august 2004

Dear friends, it only seems like such a short time that we last sent a press release out to you all explaining our excitement in receiving a temporary licence to transmit “Blowhole fm” Tauranga to the Bay of Plenty.

This believe it or not was now 3 years ago and since this time. Blowhole, as expected has become one of the purest and most loved radio stations to grace the airwaves in the Bay of Plenty in its history. In October 2003 the Ministry of Economic development posted and held an ascending auction of all surplus radio fm frequencies in which our 97.4mhz frequency was a part of.

Blowhole fm as well as numerous other small radio stations around New Zealand were put into a situation during this time in which we had to bid for our operating frequencies against all other associated and non associated bidders (the auction was open to any one and every one).

The problem incurred in this auction was one of very simple proportions – as it was a requirement to continue to bid in every round to remain in the auction – all other bidders to keep the cost of their own frequency down were forced to bid against another listed frequency to stay in the running pushing the prices of the frequencies through the roof – way out the reach of small profit stations such as Blowhole.

Finally after approx 190 rounds and two months, our frequency sold to the “radio network” for over eighty thousand dollars (the frequency is rated at 30 watts one of the smallest in NZ”!!!

Although “the radio network” has allowed us to remain on the frequency “97.4” for the first half of 2004 allowing us to pursue a new frequency through the NZ government this request of our government to award Blowhole with a replacement has fallen on deaf ears.

In response to this “non response” from our government, we now call on our listening family – the media of our great land - our wonderful entertainment industry family and you to help us gather enough support to show that Blowhole fm will not be taken off the airwaves - rather be awarded a full time solution to allow us to continue to bring free radio and the continuation of support for the New Zealand music industry to you..

To date we have received a incredible amount of support from the net and the response from our listening family beyond what we ever expected – we thankyou all for you support of our cause and ask you now to stand up and support what freedom within the airwaves still exists.

To allow Blowhole fm to be squeezed out of the commercial radio world is a crime – help us to stop this from happening.With your support - help us to get the powers that be to listen to our plight and agree to let us keep this unique radio service on the air for all generations to come.

Please send you support to: blowholefm@xtra.co.nz

Love the Blowhole fm team xxxx"

TMet Recordings would like to express their support for Blowhole FM, and to urge the NZ government to provide an alternative frequency for this station. Blowhole plays one of the highest percentages of New Zealand music in the country, and its loss will have a lasting impact on the New Zealand music scene. Regional stations are essential to provide airplay for local artists, who have little chance of airplay on the larger networks, and Blowhole is a perfect example of a station that strongly supports the NZ music community. The last thing New Zealand needs is another bland commercial station cluttering up the airwaves with Top 40 Shits and wanky AOR. Help save Blowhole FM - email your support today!