Issue date
New Zealand, along with a number of other countries, is required to change some maritime VHF repeater channels to make space for newly allocated international services for ship tracking and data services.
New Zealand will be moving a few private VHF repeater services, most Coastguard VHF repeater services, and all NowCasting weather services to accommodate these changes.
The frequency changes will take place in New Zealand on October 1 2016, before the peak summer recreational boating season when VHF radio services become busy. This ensures New Zealand is ready for the changes that come into force internationally on 1 January 2017.
Although some maritime channels will be changing, the existing marine Channel 16 used for safety, distress and calling purposes will not change.
Your current radio will be able to access all the available channels after the changes take place. However, you may need to switch to a new channel number to continue to access your local repeater or listen to the weather forecast.
or more information about these changes, see www.retune.co.nz
