Starting tomorrow, the achievement will be marked with an exhibit at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, a reunion party on Saturday and a public panel discussion on Sunday, at 2pm, at the museum.
Station manager Lesley Paris said it was amazing a station that started broadcasting a few hours a week from the Radio One station, could evolve into what it was now. ‘‘It's people-powered radio really,'' Ms Paris said.
‘‘It's great that there has been that support.
‘‘We do kind of run on the smell of an oily rag, so 25 years is definitely something we want to acknowledge.''
The not-for-profit station has broadcast since 1991 and involves more than 180 volunteers producing and hosting shows on everything from budget advice to jazz music, comedy and art.
There was evidence the station started earlier than 1991. On December 15, 1990, there was a broadcast called Looking International, but there was no recording, so it was decided to celebrate in February, she said.
Children and teenagers were well represented in the shows, complemented by community groups and more experienced broadcasters.
The station was a good platform from which to launch a broadcasting career, Ms Paris said.
Though the exhibit launch and the party were private, the panel discussion would provide people with a chance to find out the history of the station, what it was like to get a radio station up and running and about becoming a broadcaster, she said.
‘‘There are potentially thousands of [people] who have either made their own shows or contributed in some way.
‘‘We'd love to hear from them all so we can keep them updated on the special events we have planned.''
