2nd January 1968

The Tiri runs aground on rocks in the entrance to Whangaparapara Harbour. Radio Hauraki  off the air.

29th January 1968

The Tiri is pulled from the rocks, emergency repairs carried out and she is towed to Gibbs Landing, Shoal Bay.

30th January 1968

The Tiri is towed to Auckland and an inspection revealed that one side of the Tiri was badly damaged, but otherwise she was sound. However, the cost of repairs exceeded the insurance value of the ship. Radio Hauraki’s transmitter and studio equipment is salvaged from the Tiri

1st February 1968

A new vessel is found - the Kapuni - which was re-named Tiri II. Work on refitting the Tiri II with Hauraki’s broadcasting equipment begins immediately.

27th February 1968

The Tiri II sets sail from Auckland and once in international water Radio Hauraki makes some test transmissions

28th  February 1968

Radio Hauraki resumes regular programming at 7.30am

27th March 1968

The Tiri II broke from her mooring buoy and began to drift in a storm. As a safety precaution Radio Hauraki's transmissions were halted and the Tiri II made for Whangaparapara Harbour.

31st March 1968

After repairs had been  carried out  Radio Hauraki  was able to return to the air.

3rd April 1968  

The new mooring chain snapped during another storm. The Tiri II was again taken into Whangaparapara for further repairs.

7th April 1968

With storm damage repairs completed the Tiri II left once again for her anchorage, but began broadcasting only half an hour after leaving port - well inside New Zealand’s territorial waters.

10th April 1968

Tiri II battles a fierce storm and ends up beached at Whangaparapara Harbour. The new 160-ft transmitter mast on board collapsed so the old mast from the Tiri  was  erected.

 15th April 1968

After repairing the transmitter mast, Tiri II  sails back to her anchorage and Radio Hauraki returns to the air at 6.00pm

20th April –

19th May 1968

Radio inspectors catch Radio Hauraki broadcasting inside New Zealand territorial waters on several occasions.

15th May 1968

Tiri II is beached at Whangaparapara.

19th May  1968

Radio Hauraki returns to the air

13th June 1968

Tiri II runs aground  again, this time at Uretiti Beach.

14th June 1968

With the aid of a tug and a bulldozer Tiri II was refloated, but had suffered damage to the rudder post.  The ship was towed to Auckland for repairs.

1st July 1968

Tiri II sailed back to her mooring and Radio Hauraki began broadcasting again

September 1968

The Broadcasting Authority Bill (designed to establish private land -based commercial radio stations) and the Post Office Amendment Bill (No 2) (designed to outlaw offshore radio stations) - came before the New Zealand House of Representatives for their second and third readings. After ten days debate the Bills were eventually passed.

** December 1968

Radio Hauraki starts 24 hour broadcasting - the first station in New Zealand to be on the air  for 24 hours a day.