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Current and upcoming spectrum auctions
Information about current and upcoming spectrum auctions can be found on this page.
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There are no current and upcoming auctions.
Auction 30, Licence for FM sound broadcasting
When someone applies for a new commercial sound broadcasting licence, we call for expressions of interest (EOI) as these types of licence are contestable. We have now released details for the sale of one FM commercial sound broadcasting licence at Waihi (Western Bay of Plenty District).
The licence for sale is:
A public auction for this licence will start on Monday 1 December 2025 on Turners Group NZ Limited’s (Turners) website, for a duration of seven days. Turners will manage the auction.
About Us(external link) — Turners Group NZ
In order to participate in the auction all bidders are required to register with Turners by contacting Patrick Marsh via email or telephone.
+64 27 700 7045
To own a sound broadcasting licence, you will need to become a registered user in the Register of Radio Frequencies (RRF). This register holds licence information on all radio and spectrum licences allocated in New Zealand.
You must have a RealMe login before you can complete onboarding. New users must become a user in the RRF. Existing users that haven’t logged into the RRF since 12 December 2022 need to follow steps to be onboarded.
How to create a RealMe login and how to log in to the RRF
Help setting up a user account and using the RRF
RSM’s contact centre are best placed to assist with any query on account set up and use of the RRF.
In New Zealand, for the quickest response, call RSM’s contact centre on 0508 RSM INFO (0508 776 463).
The licence is in the Crown’s name. We will transfer the licence to the winning bidder once they have paid Turners and signed the Crown's Agreement. Signing the agreement enforces the implementation rules for them to get their licence. This means they must:
- Pay the winning bid price for each auction lot.
- Set up their broadcasting service within 2 years of getting the licence. They need to be on air within 21 months or they could lose your frequency.
- Pay an annual fee to keep the licence current. The licence is valid until 2 April 2031.
Licence holders may be able to change the licence parameters from those currently licensed. They need to get an approved radio engineer to do this to certify a planned licence modification. We won’t accept modifications if they substantially decrease service to the public.
View the Sound Broadcasting Auction Catalogue for Auction 30 [PDF, 450 KB]
Sample Sound Broadcasting Spectrum licence agreement [DOCX, 189 KB]