Waikato airwaves silent after wind rips transmission pole from ground

  • 26/09/2017

Airwaves across the Waikato have gone silent after strong winds took out a transmission pole on Tuesday, disrupting major radio stations in the area.

The top three sections of the tower at Ruru, near Cambridge, have toppled over. Video shot by Newshub shows part of the pole ripped right out of the ground.

Waikato airwaves silent after wind rips transmission pole from ground
Photo credit: Newshub.

Mediaworks and NZME stations have been affected, and engineers have been working to get the stations back on air.

NZME reports it is likely airwaves won't return until tomorrow, with strong winds still battering the area.

"MediaWorks Radio is off air in the Waikato as a result and we are hoping to get back up and running tomorrow when it is safe to try and fix the damage," a Mediaworks spokesperson says.

"In the meantime, Waikato listeners can tune to MediaWorks Radio stations via the Rova app."

Newshub.