Titahi Bay Transmitter
The Titahi Bay Transmitter is New Zealand's second tallest structure. It is an AM transmitter with a 212 metre tall radio mast insulated against ground at Titahi Bay in New Zealand. There are now five stations transmitting from the site, Radio New Zealand National, the parliamentary network, Newstalk ZB, an Iwi radio station and Wellington Access Radio; see List of radio stations in New Zealand and Radio Stations in Wellington. The tower and its surrounding buildings were opened in 1937.In 2004 the tower was refurnished, badly corroded parts were removed and replaced, the whole tower was sand blasted and repainted, and an array of LED warning lights were added at the behest of the NZCAA.According to workers refurbishing it, scaling the tower takes 45 minutes. From the top there are views of the entire Kapiti coast region.The site used to provide Radio New Zealand's shortwave service, these broadcasts used a series of shorter free standing masts supporting curtain arrays.With the right conditions, the AM signal for National Radio can be received as far north as Auckland and as far south as Dunedin.The land surrounding the tower is owned by the Department of Conservation, and is leased to Radio NZ for the transmitting towers, to the local Titahi Golf Club, and as farm land. The site is located within Whitirea Park, and is planned to come under the control of the Greater Wellington Regional Council.
