A 1927 radio station on the summit of Mount Victoria, built to look like a medieval castle above the city. The 2YA station was a flat-roofed concrete building with battlements and a small tower, and the Evening Post of the day noted its large amount of window space.
The station was meant to reach the whole country from the hill, with 5 kilowatt power. It opened on 16 July 1927 with two hours of programmes from 8 to 10pm, and it relied on local volunteers to sing, recite or play music. The Radio Broadcasting Company, a private company with close ties to the state, ran it. It was established by Ambrose Reeves Harris, who had worked with Thomas Edison, and William Goodfellow.
The heritage panel on the site describes the early days of radio in New Zealand, when national broadcasting had only just become possible after legislation in 1924 and 1925. The site offers views over the city.
Address: 34 Lookout Road, Roseneath, Wellington.