A new community-focused media platform has launched in the Eastern Bay, offering organisations, schools, clubs and individuals the chance to create and share their own content through a combination of online streaming, on-demand listening and FM radio.

Community Connect is an initiative of the Eastern Bay Media Trust and is operating through a dedicated digital platform, app and FM frequency. It is based at the 1XX building on The Strand, alongside 1XX, Bayrock and Q97.

Media Bay of Plenty managing director Andy Galbraith said the idea had been developing for some time in response to growing demand from community groups wanting more opportunities to share information and connect with local audiences.

“We’ve had requests from the community to let people know what they were doing and what their services and products are, and what they are about,” he said.

The project also draws inspiration from the early history of Radio 1XX.

Galbraith said he had revisited comments made by former programme director Brian Strong.

Strong stated in 1973: “It’s the policy to make facilities available to all sporting, service, and community organisations, so that they can obtain the fullest possible publicity for their activities.”

Community Connect aims to continue that tradition in a modern format.

While initially conceived as a standalone radio station, the concept has evolved into a broader digital platform.

“It has morphed over the last 12 to 18 months to be more of a platform offering,” Galbraith said.

“The software that we’ve moved to just recently means that it comes with an app for your phone, Android and Apple. It will also eventually come with a website which is specific to the community.”

Content is available in several ways.

“Any content that is recorded for the station can be streamed online through the app, so you can pick it up anywhere. It’s also available on demand as well as traditionally broadcast on a frequency 89.7FM in the Whakatane township.”

This means that if people want to listen to a specific segment, they can look it up at any time on the app.

In due course, when funding allows, the platform will also have a website with all content available.

Community groups can use professional recording studios to create programmes, podcasts and interviews.

Galbraith said the goal was to make media production accessible to organisations that might otherwise struggle to access the equipment, expertise or audience.

“We’ll do onboarding sessions for groups. We’ve got people who know how to use the equipment that can push the buttons for them to record the content.”

He said support would also be available to help groups develop ideas and plan content.

“You actually need a bit of a plan of how you’re going to do it. So, we can offer support with content development and storyboarding.”

Community Connect will feature content from a wide range of community sectors, including education, sport, culture, disability services and local organisations.

“I’m quite excited about working with sporting organisations and schools around live broadcast of sporting events,” Galbraith said.

He said the concept could allow local volunteers and students to provide commentary from community sports grounds and events.

“If you can’t make it to the ground, you can listen to the commentary recorded by locals.”

Community Connect also aims to provide opportunities for local musicians.

Music played between community programmes will include Eastern Bay artists, New Zealand music and retro favourites.

Local musicians are invited to submit their recordings for broadcast.

“Anybody that wants to have their music played, they just need to send it to me and I’ll put it in.”

The trust also has a long-term ambition to support future media professionals from the region.

“The idea in the future is to create a scholarship fund under the trust, which takes a young person from the Eastern Bay and subsidises their cost to go to broadcasting school.”

The platform is undergoing a soft launch while technical systems, scheduling and online functions are finalised.

“The ultimate vision is to become the central hub for local storytelling, media education and civic engagement, and to reflect the rich tapestry of cultures and perspectives in our community.”

By combining modern digital delivery with traditional broadcasting, Galbraith believes Community Connect can provide a platform where local voices, stories and ideas can be shared more widely than ever before.

Community Connect has received funding from the Whakatāne Ōhope Community Board to help get the initiative started. While there needs to be some cost to recover expenses, the goal is to make it accessible for all community groups.

“Using the studios and creating a program does come at a bit of a cost, but we will work with non-profits and charitable clubs to see what fits within their budgets.

“What we’ve done is that we’ve set a base foundational cost. This is how much it costs for an hour of that studio time, and each organisation can either pay this cost or apply for a discount or a waiver if they can’t afford it. Groups can also give a donation because it’s a charitable trust.”

Community Connect is available through the BayPlay app and broadcasts on 89.7FM within the Whakatāne township.

Anyone interested in donating, sponsoring or creating content can email [email protected].