Three Russell Radio volunteers (from left): Rob Finlayson, Mitch Hughes and Guy Reigles. Photo / Sandy Myhre
The Bay of Islands Marine Radio Association Inc (better known as Russell Radio) has served locals, visitors and offshore vessels since it was started by a small band of fishermen shortly after World War II. This year, it celebrates 75 years of operation.
A volunteer group of marine aficionados man a VHF radio to monitor the weather and give updates on rāhui and other banned maritime activities in the Bay of Islands.
Most importantly, they monitor the activities of yachts and launches.
In a single week last month, there were 225 calls from boats and Russell Radio helped co-ordinate two incidents – one for missing kayakers and the other for a broken-down vessel near Orokawa Peninsula. Both had happy outcomes.
About 16 volunteers take turns to talk on the radio network, which broadcasts on VHF Channel 63. The VHF service covers from Tutukākā in the south to Knuckle Point at the northern end of Doubtless Bay and includes the Cavalli and Poor Knights Islands.
About 5% of calls are general inquiries, ranging from where to get diesel to where to find a doctor.
The station owns VHF Channel 3, used by a small number of commercial operators and local fishing tournament organisers who pay a limited subscription.
Station manager Stephen Crockatt said when things get “gnarly”, for more serious incidents, they liaise with Maritime New Zealand, New Zealand Police and search and rescue organisations.
Over the years, the equipment has improved and the services provided have expanded to cover single-sideband (SSB) for transtasman and transpacific yachts as well as local VHF Channel 63 coverage for the Bay of Islands.
Overseas visiting yachts can call on Channel 16 or 63 and directions will be provided for the right course to the Q berth and Customs dock in the Ōpua Marina.
The station logs boaties going out to sea, where they plan to spend their day and what time they expect to return. When they arrive back, they are recorded as being home.
If the station does not hear from them, operators track them down to make sure they are safe – a service the Coastguard does not provide.
Crockatt says there have been some dramas in that time. He recalled a group of five divers who had gone into the water near the Cavalli Islands.
“Unfortunately, the boat that dropped them in the water developed engine problems and started drifting out to sea. It was too deep for the tender to anchor so the boat drifted away from the divers quite quickly.
“As the divers were down for about half an hour, they knew nothing about it.
“They had separated into a group of two and three so when they came back up, they were not all together and there was no sign of the tender.
“In the meantime, the tender operator contacted Russell Radio, which issued an emergency Pan-Pan call on both channels and I am hugely proud of the response from our members, because we managed to get about six game fishing boats on scene within about 12 minutes.”
Then there was the mammal-in-the-boat saga. A dolphin – estimates of its weight vary from 300kg to 450kg – jumped on board a small trailer boat at the Hole in the Rock.
Russell Radio got a call to say the dolphin was being brought into the weigh station, so they contacted Dave, the local Department of Conservation (DoC) ranger, who got a marine expert to contact the men on the boat directly to advise them how to look after it.
A specialised DoC team waited at the Waitangi Wharf for the dolphin’s arrival.
They had slings and equipment to remove it from the boat and take it safely back to the middle of the Bay of Islands.
Crockatt said it was a great success and well-handled by all involved.
Every year, it gets a little harder keeping the lights on, the equipment maintained and the repeater stations up to date.
Last month, the volunteers held a fundraising evening called “A Pint for a Purpose” and raised $985 towards operating costs.
Over the years, Russell Radio has had various homes— first at Richie Blomfield’s house (Blomfield started the organisation), then in a small room on Church St, later below the Swordy Club, and today from above the Information Centre on the Russell Wharf. It has one of the best views of the bay.
For more information: www.russellradio.org.nz.
The Earth Village is a 156ha sanctuary on the edge of the Puketī Forest near Kerikeri that runs wellbeing retreats and youth development programmes.
It has cabins for accommodation, meditation and gardens “designed to awaken the senses, calm the mind and invigorate the body”.
The Earth Village was founded by Korean Ichi Lee and the three main tutors are also Korean.
In March, the Earth Village is holding a two-day Forest Healing Festival that “inspires the awakening of the conscious while offering a deep connection with nature and the elevation of humanity”.
The festival is hosted by the Earth Citizens Organisation Charitable Trust.
The Earth Citizens Organisation (ECO) is a New Zealand non-profit founded in 2016 to promote natural health and “mindful living” for a sustainable world.
The festival is a first for organisers and open to anyone seeking a “genuine life reset”, with up to 1000 people expected.
Alongside workshops designed and led by the Earth Village team, it is a co-creation event, featuring independent facilitators running sessions across the programme.
Each day offers a full schedule of healing experiences, giving participants multiple ways to “rest, reflect and restore”.
On the Saturday night, there will be a “Global Meditation”, a shared moment of stillness where participants can “pause at the same time to collectively reflect, breathe and reconnect”.
The festival will include a Healers Zone offering one-on-one healing, an eco-conscious marketplace showcasing local and ethical products and live local music.
Rata Denton, marketing and communications manager for the Earth Village, said there is a strong emphasis on overall health, connection and holistic wellness.
What sets this festival apart is its clear focus on healing. There are no late-night parties, alcohol and other substances are banned, it’s waste-free and family friendly.
Bookings are essential. March 19–22, 2026. Visit www.foresthealingfestival.org/ for more info.