Whakatane Radio Telephone Users Association
Enabling Land Mobile Radio Telephone Services Across the Eastern Bay of Plenty
Press Release
Dec 2025
Relocation helped by Trust Horizon
Thanks to a $130,000 grant from Trust Horizon, the Whakatāne Radio Telephone Users Association (WRTUA) will soon be able to relocate its essential radio services with minimal disruption to critical communications — reducing the impact from weeks down to just days.
The WRTUA is responsible for the effective operation of radio telephone systems across the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Since 1969, the organisation has occupied a site on the Pūtauaki summit. However, with the Maunga set to be returned to its spiritual owners, all WRTUA facilities were agreed to be relocated to Manawhe by 26 March 2026.
In preparation for the move, the WRTUA has spent two years planning for the installation of essential masts and infrastructure at Manawahe. However, completely dismantling the existing radio setup at Pūtauaki and rebuilding it at Manawhe in its entirety would cause major disruption to essential services.
“Access to the Pūtauaki site is via 4 kilometres of mountain road, 350 metres through bush and up 200 steps,” explains WRTUA Operations Manager and Board Member, Chris Prouse. “To take equipment off Pūtauaki, carry it across to Manawhe, reinstall and interface it would take weeks.”
Civil defence relies on the service to maintain communication in emergency situations. “During the Edgecumbe flooding and the 1987 earthquake, WRTUA kept working as a reliable form of critical communication for everyone in the region at that time,” says Prouse.
With users including the Whakatāne District Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council, sewage pumping and water reticulation are also managed via the Pūtauaki site. For essential services like these, weeks-long disruption would be untenable.
Having already invested considerably in the project, WRTUA sought support from Trust Horizon to complete it. A $130,000 grant was approved to help purchase antennas, cables, and repeaters at the new site. This has meant that significant installation, alignment and testing work has been able to be completed ahead of the relocation.
“The ability to replace some equipment instead of dismantling and moving everything will help us reduce the outage from weeks to just days, and less than 24 hours for business-critical services,” says Prouse.
Trust Horizon was pleased to support the efficient relocation of such critical infrastructure. “The radio repeater services provided by the WRTUA directly impact not only essential services, but also businesses, homeowners and communities,” says Trust Horizon trustee, Edwina O’Brien. “The continuation of these services with minimal disruption is key to maintaining our strong and resilient rohe.”
With testing underway and the relocation planned for the coming weeks, 2026 will mark the start of a new chapter for WRTUA. “When you have an earthquake or flood, the only communication left is radio, so emergency response people are heavily reliant on these services,” says WRTUA Chairman, John Dillon. “We’ve invested about $260,000 into the project so far and this grant will allow us to finish the work, so we’d like to say a huge thank you to Trust Horizon.”
Information Directly from Trust Horizon Website – Facebook – LinkedIn
Our Story
The Whakatane Radio Telephone Users Association – affectionately known as “the RTU” – has been quietly and efficiently enabling the operation of radio telephone systems across the Eastern Bay since 1970.
Structured as a member-owned cooperative in the form of an incorporated society, the WRTUA membership comprises over 40 member-users. Among these are emergency services, local government, contracting companies, veterinary practices, and many other businesses who use the Land Mobile Radio (LMR) Telephone for their day to day operations.
We own and manage 4 repeater sites – at Manawahe, Putauaki (Mt Edgecumbe), Moutohora (Whale Island), and Waiputatawa (Opotiki).
Members pay an annual subscription for the right to use our repeaters to connect their LMR Telephone systems.
Despite the ubiquity of cellphones, the RT is still in heavy use due to its superior coverage, economy, social inclusiveness and team-building character. Our coverage for LMR telephones ranges from the top of East Cape, to west of Maketu, and south beyond Murupara.
Celebrate Whakatane Radio Telephone Users Assoc. Inc History
Download our Constitution and Rules
Our Constitution and Rules can also be found here on the NZ Business Number website. Search for us then – go to “Filings” and look for the most recent filing of our “Rules”
Our Committee
Chairman
John Dillon
johndillon@bayvets.net.nz
Deputy Chairman/Operations Manager
Chris Prouse
chris@prouse.co.nz
Technical Manager
Paul Garaway
gusgaraway@xtra.co.nz
Committee Members
Paul Allington
paul.allington@whakatane.govt.nz
Service Updates
Late April 2020 we experienced a fault with our Whale Islands site Channel 2. Remedial work was scheduled for 8 May. All other VHF & UHF repeater channels are fully operational. We apologise for any inconvenience.
This above fault was rectified – a 50 cent DC fuse had failed. However, the cost of the helicopter visit and technicians was significantly more expensive.
For more up to date goings on check out our Facebook page HERE
Our coverage for Land Mobile Radio Telephones, ranges from the top of East Cape, to west of Maketu, and south beyond Murupara.
Service Contacts
Engineering Service Contractors:
Dove Communications Ltd
0800 83 55 55
https://www.dovecom.co.nz/
Technical Issues:
Chris Prouse, Operations Manager
0274 800 477
Paul Garaway, Technical Manager
027 392 6213
Finance and Accounts:
Kay Smart – Accountant
Smart Accounting Services Ltd
07 307 8088