What is ACAB?

The Association of Community Access Broadcasters (ACAB) Aotearoa New Zealand is a national association to which all Community Access radio stations in Aotearoa New Zealand belong.

The aims of the Association are to promote, develop, foster and support Community Access broadcasting in Aotearoa New Zealand. ACAB sees itself primarily as a self-support network for the sector and a forum for debate on issues which affect us all, however it also exists as a lobbying and resourcing organisation for the benefit of member stations.

Why was ACAB formed?

Simply put; united we stand, divided we fall. ACAB was set up in the early 1990s in response to the enthusiasm of Station Managers following a meeting in Wellington at NZ On Air. This meeting was the first time many of the managers had met each other and it was very exciting to be able to share experiences. ACAB was set up shortly after, in recognition of how isolated some stations were.

How does ACAB fit into the general radio community?

ACAB is a national body that represents Community Access radio stations with their non-profit and wide community based interests. ACAB is primarily there for those stations and has not so far expanded to undertake any other form of activity.

There are national organisations which represent other forms of radio in New Zealand, but there are no connections between these organisations and ACAB. ACAB however, is similar to ARMARC – the International Community Radio organisation – and CBAA – the Australian Community Radio organisation.

What is the structure of ACAB?

ACAB has an Executive Committee (Chair, Secretary and Treasurer) who are voted into position by the membership annually.

ACAB members are described as entities. Each entity is a local Community Access station and each entity has one vote at the AGM. The representatives of each entity can be anyone who has been given that task by their own local members.

Our annual Annual General Meeting takes place at the annual ACAB conference. Conference is usually hosted by a Community Access station and is therefore usually at a different venue each year.

Who does ACAB speak on behalf of?

ACAB only speaks on behalf of members. Consultation takes place via different forms, eg: teleconferences, emails and face to face meetings.

All stations give full and frank views to ACAB meetings about issues under discussion. These views may be supported by written explanations of why a station has formed specific views. Where necessary, a vote may be taken to arrive at a concensus, to instruct the Executive Committee to make representations on behalf of members.

ACAB does not make decisions on a local level for stations. Each station is an independent entity.

Does ACAB have any paid staff?

ACAB does not employ staff.

How do I contact ACAB?

Please use the contact page.