Each month Plains FM produces 90 unique radio shows in 20 languages by, for and about real people like you!

We broadcast 24/7 on 96.9FM via a transmitter sited at Sugarloaf on the Port Hills and cover the plains of the mid-Canterbury region of New Zealand’s South Island/Te Wai Pounamu, from Christchurch city, north to Cheviot, south to Rakaia, west to the Southern Alps, and into Lyttelton Harbour on Banks Peninsula.  Our live stream is available from this website, along with selected podcasts (also available via Apple Podcasts) so we can be heard all over New Zealand and the world.

We provide modern broadcasting facilities for individuals or groups to make and present their own programmes from our studios located on the Ara Institute of Technology campus.

Plains FM 96.9 is governed by a charitable entity called The Canterbury Communications Trust. We receive annual funding support from NZ On AIR but also rely on airtime contributions from users, grants, some sponsorship/advertising and donations.

Community access media supports those who make content ‘by, for and about the community’

Plains FM is one of twelve independent Access entities operating around New Zealand and is a member of the Community Access Media Alliance (CAMA). We are part funded by NZ On Air, to broadcast programming that provides for the interests of specific groups in Section 36c of the Broadcasting Act 1989, which includes women, children, youth, persons with disabilities, minority groups, including ethnic minorities and a range of religious and ethical viewpoints.