Kōrero: Manufacturing – an overview

When radio broadcasts began in New Zealand in 1922 listeners relied on imported or home-made crystal sets. By 1926 radios were being manufactured locally, and selling well. Production grew rapidly, continuing through the depression of the 1930s. Demand and growth were particularly strong after the Second World War, when manufacturing of home appliances increased. Auckland and Wellington were the main centres for radio production, but radio manufacturers were also found in smaller towns like Waihi. Shown here is the workroom of Radio (1936) Limited in 1947.