Radio evolves as industry changes with students learning different skills

NZ School of Radio managing director Hamish Denton with students Justine Harvey and Cam McCarthy. Photo/Supplied

The way people consume music has changed, but radio is evolving with the times, says NZ School of Radio managing director Hamish Denton.

More people were listening online, or had signed up with outlets like Spotify instead of playing CDs, he said.

But all radio stations stream online now, he said.

''Radio is still a strong choice for music, but also for that personal connection, information and entertainment. I don't think radio will die, but just continue to change and evolve with the technology, as it has done already.''

Radio was also still a viable career option and the NZ School of Radio, which is based in Tauranga, had an intake of 26 students a year.

''We are restricted by the Government on how many students we're allowed to take ... that way they have a good chance at a placement in the industry.''

Students learn all aspects of the radio industry.

''That's our main focus, but because the industry has grown and evolved over the past five years we also have to teach video making, TV presenting, producing, social media, online design and using Photoshop.

''With radio it's not so much the qualification you come away with but what you can do with your skills in a practical sense. What your on-air demo tape sounds like, how well you interview and most of all - your attitude having a real passion for the industry.''

Graduated students had also gone into a range of different fields over the last 10 years with Craig Priest working for Rugby League NZ making their videos and Simon Hampton is living in New York working as a freelance TV reporter.

Hamish also had an impressive portfolio and been involved with the radio and TV industries for more than 22 years in NZ, Canada and the UK.

''I've worked in most areas of radio including on-air, copy writing, production and promotions. I've worked in film and TV in Canada. I do a lot of freelance voice-over work and I'm currently the voice of TVNZ 1 and TVNZ 2 as well as My Kitchen Rules NZ.''

Tauranga and Coromandel Coast radio announcer Brian Kelly agreed radio is still a good career choice.

''Now it expands into Facebook and Instagram and things like that so there are different ways of pushing radio out there and listening online. You can listen to it anywhere in the world so if you are on holiday in London and you want to get your daily fix of local you can listen to Coast from Tauranga in London.''