AFTER 15 YEARS..

Article Written by Marty Jones

After 15 years of owning and running Aotearoa radio station Base FM, owner and Managing Director Jasmin Ziedan will be moving on, with new owners coming on board today.

Based in Kingsland, Auckland, Base FM is known across the motu for its bevvy of musical talent, featuring, nurturing and promoting the very best that the country has to offer. The station, which began broadcasting in May 2004, out of the then George FM studios, has become an iconic community radio brand with a collective of over 100 DJs that cover the electronica, funk, soul, hip hop, reggae and R&B scenes.

Born in Cairo, Egypt and raised in Germany, Ziedan bought the station from George FM in 2008 and with a savvy approach to community centric radio has turned it into one of the most beloved music stations in the county. The decision for long-time owner Jazz to sell was not an easy one, with her reflecting that the time however was right for a new direction for the station.

“After dedicating my life to Base for 15 years I felt like now was the right time for a change”, says Ziedan. “With a family on the way, and the focus of my life shifting, its time to give the station new leaders who can alleviate and solidify it’s place in the market.”

New owners George Ngatai (Ngāti Awa and Ngāti Maniapoto) and wife Raewyn Bhana (Nga Puhi, Indian descent) come on board with a passion for music and community, with a particular focus on Māori and Pasifika. George has a Queens Service Medal for services to Māori and the community and Raewyn for services to the community. Both have worked hard for over 20 years within challenging communities and are set to translating their experience to developing the radio station. 

“We are looking forward to adding value and continuing to progress the great work already being done at Base FM and are excited to work with and learn from Jazz over the coming weeks”, says the pair. Jazz will stay on in a consulting role and as Managing Director of Island Base, a non for profit dedicated to educating Māori & Pacific rangatahi through music.

To celebrate the new ownership today, Base FM is also launching an all new Breakfast show and flash new website and wider transmission reach across the country and touring setup for events all on the cards!

In May 2008, the 25-year-old Ziedan had been managing Base FM, owned by George FM, for almost a year but was struggling to make changes. Read more