The Otematata Televiewers' Society, believed to be the only one of its type still in existence in New Zealand, faces an uncertain future.
The society, formed in the 1960s, maintains a transmitter to deliver television and radio signals to Otematata and its surrounds, but is running out of executive members and is struggling to raise funds.
The society has about 20 members. At its recent annual meeting, the future of the organisation was discussed.
President Brian Omundsen and secretary Derrice Cox have run the society for the past few years.
Now the society had come up with three options for its future, Mr Omundsen said One option was to hand over the organisation of the society to another group, such as the Otematata Residents Association.
Association president Pam Firman said that would be discussed at its annual meeting on November 15.
Mr Omundsen said a second option and, he felt, the most sensible, was for the society to become a "televiewers' group" rather than an incorporated society.
The third option was to close. The society's transmitter provides signals for TV3, Radio NZ, Classic Hits and Radio Live.
In recent years, it has been streamlined to reduce costs, which amount to about $700 a year, including electricity for the transmitter but excluding maintenance or repairing damage.
The society has relied on volunteers to maintain the transmitter and funding has come from membership or grants.
It is trying to raise about $3000 for a new transmitter.
That, Mr Omundsen said, would provide a better service and "future-proof" the transmitter.
The society also hoped to attract a commercial client to use the transmitter which would more than cover the cost of its operation.
Mr Omundsen did not think Otematata would lose the signals from the transmitter if it did not continue.
