Rock the Boat: The Story of Radio Hauraki 1965-1970

Pirate radio hit Kiwi airwaves on 4 December 1966 when Radio Hauraki broadcast from the Colville Channel aboard the vessel Tiri. Made by Sally Aitken, this film reunited the original pirates for the first time in 30 years to recall their battle to bring rock’n’roll to the youth of NZ. Featuring rare archive footage, the tale of radio rebels, conservative stooges, stoners, ship-wrecks and lost-at-sea DJs was originally made as a student film. It was bought by TVNZ and screened in primetime to praise: “Top of the dial, top of the class” (Greg Dixon in The NZ Herald).

You’re listening to Radio Hauraki, Top of the Dial, and we’re broadcasting a test transmission on 1480.

– The actual first transmission of Radio Hauraki on 1 December 1966

Key Cast & Crew

David Gapes

Subject

Gilly Tyler

Producer

Paul Robinson

Narrator

Keng Lim

Editor

Sally Aitken

Director, Writer

Derek Lowe

Subject