The first of two badly corroded RNZ transmission towers has been demolished.
The tower was demolished this morning. Photo: RNZ / Gary Fowles
Photo: RNZ / Gary Fowles
RNZ has three masts - used for AM transmission - on land within the Whitireia Regional Park at Titahi Bay, north of Porirua.
An engineer's report recommended their urgent decommissioning to protect the public.
The report, received last month, found corrosion issues with each of the masts, though two were of particular concern - one 53m tall and the other 220m.
The smaller tower taken down this morning, by slicing one of its wires and using the weight of the remaining three to pull the structure down in a controlled fall.
RNZ transmission manager Gary Fowles said its bigger mate was due to be toppled next month.
Radio transmissions will be directed through the remaining 137m mast.
It requires some work but will be able to carry the services from the other structures and no disruption to normal broadcast services is expected.