It was a bit embarrassing (and quite stressful) when our transmitter covering Onetangi, Ostend and Palm Beach failed last Sunday, the day there was a tsunami warning. We had a whole series of failures triggered, it seems, by ants. Trying to repair a radio transmitter on Waiheke on a Sunday is problematic - where do you buy power supplies, recievers and back up batteries? Since we're all volunteers with jobs and families it's taken a couple of days to get all the equipment together and set up. But tonight, by torchlight, we re-commissioned the transmitter and we're once again broadcasting on 88.3fm. The signal needs a little adjustment, we'll get that sorted out in the next couple of days. Our apologies and thanks for your patience.

Our 88.3 FM frequency which usually covers Palm Beach to Onetangi and probably a good part of Ostend is currently down. The power supply was found to be faulty and an extended family of ants had also taken residence in the transmitter box. We suspect that it was actually the former that is the real problem and the latter have been encouraged to find accomodation elsewhere. We hope to be up broadcasting again on 88.3 later this week. You can still stream us on the internet though! See more info here on how to stream and listen to our podcasts: http://waihekeradio.org.nz/listen

This is a waiheke Radio tsunami warning bulletin. A tsunami was generated from the 8.8 magnitude quake in Chile yesterday.

The Onetangi Beach Races are postponed until March 14. People are advised to saty off all Waiheke beaches.

Civil Defence have assessed that a tsunmai threat exists for New Zealand.  The first wave to arrive in New Zealand this morning. The first wave may arrive later and may not be the largest. Strong currents and unusual tidal effects may continue for several hours.

Scientific advice is that a marine threat (i.e. threat to beach and small boats corresponding to wave heights less than 1 metre) exists for the entire east coasts of the North and South Islands . 

Wave height refers to maximum water level relevant to the normal sea level at the beach. This does not take tides into account. Based on historical events it is expected that the greatest wave heights will occur between 6 and 12 hours after the initial arrivals.

The National Crisis Management Centre in Wellington has been activated. The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM) and scientific advisors are closely monitoring the situation.

People in coastal areas should:

   1. Stay off beaches
   2. Stay out of the water (sea, rivers and estuaries, including boating activities)
   3. Share this information with family, neighbours and friends
   4. Listen to the radio and/or TV for updates
   5. Follow instructions of your local Civil Defence authorities

The Onetangi Beach Races are postponed until March 14.

The Onetangi Beach Races started on Waiheke over 100 years ago.  In 1924 local authorities stopped the races because they decided the people of the time were gambling too much money! Revived in 1983 by Keith Haub, the owner of the then McGinty’s pub in Onetangi - named after his champion racehorse - it again became a huge event on the island. Today the races are organised by the Rotary Club of Waiheke and is a fundraising promotion for charity while providing a free, family, fun day for locals and visitors alike.

Waiheke Radio will be broadcasting live from Onetangi Beach this Sunday the 28th so if you can't make it down to the event listen in for all the action and interviews with locals on the beach. Or, if you are coming down stop by and have a chat with us.

BLACKPOOL MECCA TWISTED WHEEL WIGAN CASINO GOLDEN TORCH THE CATACOMBS CHARLIE FARLEYS 

THE NORTHERN SOUL SATURDAY SPECIAL

This Saturday 27th local DJ GLENN SOLO brings you a night of NORTHERN SOUL on The Saturday Special.Northern soul is a music and dance movement that emerged from the British mod scene, initially in northern England in the late 1960s. Northern soul mainly consists of a particular style of black American Soul music based on the heavy beat and fast tempo of the mid-1960s Tamla Motown sound. The Northern soul movement, however, generally eschews Motown or Motown-influenced music that has met with significant mainstream success. The recordings most prized by genre enthusiasts are usually by lesser-known artists, and were initially released only in limited numbers, often by small regional labels in the United States.

Tune in Saturday night to hear Glenn Solo play some casino classic, rareities and obscurities, you may even hear a few tracks that are reassuringly familiar - one thing's for certain, this music will have you dancing around your living room.

 The Saturday Special Northern Soul Night 9-11 PM on Waiheke Radio.