Greatest Hits FM96

Greatest Hits FM96 (FM96) was a radio station based in Hastings, New Zealand. FM96 was one of many brand names used by this station.
Apple Radio
The original brand name for this station was Apple Radio. Apple Radio was first started in 1977 by Radio New Zealand broadcasting on 730AM with the call sign 2ZK. Radio New Zealand started the station to allow the Concert Programme into the Hawkes Bay region and also in an effort to prevent privately owned stations starting up in the region. After 5pm the station broadcast the Concert Programme and all day on Sundays, this was later extended to 7pm. In 1978 Apple Radio moved to 765AM after the AM frequency spacing in New Zealand was adjusted from 10 kHz to 9 kHz. Apple Radio played a Hit Music format.
77ZK
In 1983 Apple Radio was rebranded as The All New 77ZK and later Hit Radio 77ZK. At the time of rebranding the Concert Programme relay was discontinued when the Concert Programme began broadcasting on its own FM frequency, (which incidentally was the first area in NZ to enjoy the Concert Programme in stereo). Programming was extended until midnight and between midnight and 6 AM the station carried the ZM All Nighter show from 1ZM in Auckland. In 1988 77ZK changed its format from a Hit Music format to a mixture of oldies and adult contemporary music with the station now branded as Greatest Hits 77ZK.
With the station switching to FM 77ZK became known as Greatest Hits FM96 retaining the same announcers and format as the previous station. FM96 went to air for the first time on December 1, 1989 broadcasting on 95.9FM and a relay to Wairoa was established on 99.7FM. The 765AM frequency was switched off immediately.
The station's programme Director was Bernard Duncan. FM96 was one of the first Radio New Zealand station's to operate a then 'state of the art' computer automation system called "Systemation". It was later replaced with "Pristine" and "Audisk". FM96 aired a series of catchy ident jingles produced by JAM in America. The station's market leading sound was created via an OMTIMOD 8100 FM Processor, replaced in 2008 by the digital 8300 model.
Announcers during 1989 and 1993 included Mike Page, Graeme Goldsborough (Goldie), Bazza Ross, Cath White, Bernard Duncan, Graeme Parsonage, John Martin, Kev Stanton, Craig Wilson, Jane Reid (Shannon), and James Milner.
Better Music 96FM
Greatest Hits FM96 was rebranded to a slightly more up-tempo music station in February 1992 under a new name Better Music 96FM. At the same time the amount of live programming on the station was increased.
Classic Rock 96FM
In October 1992 Better Music 96FM was once again rebranded to Classic Rock 96FM after the station changed format to a Classic Rock format. In 1993 the station relocated to Napier in broadcasting house where Bay City Radio (another station operated by Radio New Zealand) was housed. In 1996 Radio New Zealand sold their commercial operation and as a result the station was taken over by The Radio Network.
Hauraki 96FM
In 1998 the station was replaced with Radio Hauraki branded as Hauraki 96FM.
96ZM
In 1999 Hauraki 96FM was replaced with the Auckland based ZM with the station branded as 96ZM. ZM remains on the 95.9FM and is branded as 95-9ZM.
Radio Hauraki made a return to the Hawkes Bay market in June 2000 now on 99.9FM.
In January 2011 the 99.7FM relay to Wairoa was dropped, this frequency had been on the air since 1989 and relayed the same programme heard on 95.9FM all this time. The Radio Network now use this frequency to relay Hawkes Bays Classic Hits 89.5 into Wairoa.

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