Author(s): Bill Francis

NZ Non Fiction

In November 2006 1ZB (one of our leading national commercial radio stations) reaches two historic milestones - 80 years of broadcasting and 70 years as our first commercial radio station. Throughout this time 1ZB has been deeply involved in some of the most momentous events in our social history and some of this country's best loved broadcasters have graced its airwaves - from Uncle Scrim during the depression years, to Aunt Daisy, Phil Shone, Merv and Leighton Smith and Paul Holmes. Auckland's Voice tells their stories capturing in words and pictures the controversies, the personalities and the reasons behind its extraordinary success. Moving beyond its original Auckland audience News talk ZB has national coverage and prominence in key market segments in all major cities, with Paul Holmes the leading breakfast host in Christchurch as well as Auckland. Much more than the story of a single radio station, it extends into a wider social history of the turbulent times when commercial radio fought to be free of governments and bureaucracy to where News talk ZB sits today, as a commercially successful business model and leading broadcaster. First published October 2006.