To (NA -- Draft version in process of multiple revisions)

[X] Prime Minister
[X] Foreign Affairs Minister

Subject
NZ needs a 2nd Shortwave Relay Station capable of relaying RNZI

• A RNZI reorganization to cope with RNZI changes 2004 - Present

 

RNZI must change in order to cope with unforseen geopolitical events

Principal Points

• A 2nd shortwave relay station is needed in NZ so as to allow RNZI to increase its audibility in the "Far Abroad" and in the Pacific Rim.
• This audibility increase [during times of regional political and economic crises] will be necessary so as to allow NZ to be positively impacted by these crises and controversies.
• Long term and short term regional crises and controversies will surly arise from petroleum market instabilities, this is a known fact.
• Other sensitive regional situations will arise in the "Far Abroad". These situations will occur namely in nations that NZ has had long-standing ties: China (PR), Canada, USA, Mexico, Latin America, Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Bangladesh and India.
• Many Pacific Rim regions that NZ has direct contact with are not stable politically: Malaysia, Irian Jyia (Western PNG), Bali, Burma.
• NZ does not really have the surplus money for a 2nd RNZI shortwave relay station [that is exclusively owned by RNZI) due to existing demands on the treasury.
• NZ does have enough funds available to it to allow for partial ownership of a 2nd shortwave relay station. Partial ownership is a much less expensive -- but equally effective option for increasing coverage.
• Partial ownership of a 2nd NZ shortwave relay station will give RNZI all the control it needs in times of crises, but without all of the associated costs that come from that control.

The proposed 2nd RNZI Relay Station should be created with these parameters

• Preferred regional location (Northland or Nelson)
• Preferred elevation: 300m above sea level.
• A Northland location where NZ is no more than 35 kms wide (East <--> West) is preferred, to enhance HF propagation
• PLEASE DISREGARD "AUCKLAND", the US authors of the propagation program created a map database that has very weak coverage of Australia & NZ.
• The overall propagation outcomes of these calculations with respect to regional signal coverage are not substantially altered by the  choice of the Auckland location.

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What intergovermental / private sector framework can make this possible?

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Example of ownership mix possible

• RNZI (25%)
• Radio Australia (25%)
• Radio Canada International (10%)
• DW Radio (10%)
• Radio Japan [NHK] (10%)
• Broadcasting Board of Governors [VOA, RFA, etc...] (10%)
  

This theoretical "corporate partnership model" is for policy making consideration only, and does not imply that this corporate partnership model is even possible or suitable for NZ's strategic interests.

Electrical Grid Support
RNZI should pick up all the costs necessary to provide 3 x 64 kv HVAC power lines to the transmission site, with the possibility of the "Relay Station" corporate partners [non-RNZI] matching 50% of the HVAC setup costs over a 5-7 year time frame.

This is an adequate 'cost sharing' arrangement for RNZI's budgetary situation. This business arrangement is suggested so as to get the relay station operating as soon as possible -- with the benefit of a nominal future cash flow for RNZI.

Transmitter, Antenna & Switch Matrix Building
RNZI should not own any more than 50% of the facilities equipment (transmitter, antenna etc...), 20% facilities equipment ownership is expected
This ownership arrangement should be in effect across all equipment held within the facility & outside the facility that can be classified as a "durable good" by existing NZ law and accounting practices.

Transmitter Time
RNZI should (regardless of whatever final budgetary and strategic models that emerge) be expected to use 20% - 30% of the new relay station's transmitter time. This transmitter time may be used in exchange with other broadcasters, as well as providing backup capacity allowing for the upgraded Rangataki Relay Station to have [quality] monthly maintenance.

The new Relay Station's long term impact on RNZI's budget
After the initial impact of expending 20% x 1.2 Million USD (around ~350,000 USD) for the "shared cost" of the new Relay Station.

It would be expected that the long term running costs would only be about 15% less (best case scenario) than the long term running costs have been for Rangataki Relay Station.

• When one considers that NZ's high power SW broadcasting capacity would be going from 200 kw to potentially 400 kw expending ~350,000 USD to achieve this is a good deal for the NZ taxpayer.
• NZ could better target the US and Canada, a vitally important region for NZ's interests. RNZI can only reach these regions 20% of the time with Rangataki. With respect to the US and the ongoing instability it is experiencing -- Rangataki is not enough.
• The added redundancy and strategic adaptability [that comes from international broadcasting] that NZ would have in times of geopolitical crisis in the Pacific Basin would be enhanced -- a point that should not be lost on NZ policy makers.