The innovative little told story of radio in Aotearoa
2025 marks the centenary of Radio New Zealand. Yet broadcasting is one thing, the technology to hear it another. And there was once an entirely different company called RNZ - pioneer radio manufacturers the Radio Corporation of New Zealand. Over 30 years, it went from nothing to become what has been called the largest electronics manufacturing and retailing firm in the country. They were also, with the song 'Blue Smoke' the first company to record local artists. For much of the 20th century a radio set was much desired for every home. And, as with smartphones today, there was constant innovation, competition and consumer pressure to keep up with the latest trends. The main difference was this technology was developed here in Aotearoa. Otautahi Christchurch's Steve Dunford has published the book Radio Preeminent: The Radio Corporation of New Zealand Story. He runs vintageradio.co.nz, a site dedicated to cataloguing Aotearoa-created valve radios - and beautiful pieces of furniture they are.
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