RFUANZ celebrates 35 years

For 35 years, the Radio Frequency Users Association of New Zealand (RFUANZ) has played a central role in supporting the country’s radio frequency sector. Now, celebrating our 35th anniversary, the association stands as both a reflection of the industry’s evolution and a key contributor to its future resilience.

Officially incorporated in 1991 as the New Zealand Federation of Radio Telephone Users (NZFRTU) — with a rebrand in 1997 to RFUANZ — we emerged during a period of rapid change in New Zealand’s communications landscape. Radio networks were expanding beyond traditional land mobile applications into increasingly complex environments supporting emergency services, aviation, utilities, transport and other nationally significant infrastructure. From the outset RFUANZ was created to represent RF users, promote best practice and provide a unified voice within a highly technical industry.

Over the past three and a half decades, the sector has transformed dramatically — moving from analog systems to trunked radio, digital platforms and mission-critical communications. Yet, through every wave of innovation, the fundamentals have remained constant. Spectrum is a national asset, communications must be reliable, and the industry depends on skilled professionals maintaining high standards.

Today, RFUANZ occupies a unique and trusted position within New Zealand’s RF ecosystem. We are more than a membership organisation, serving as a forum where regulators, engineers, suppliers, operators and end users connect. The Association contributes meaningfully to industry discussions around spectrum policy, licensing framework, interference mitigation and technical compliance.

At the heart of RFUANZ’s success is its community. For 35 years, we have brought together the people who keep New Zealand connected when it matters most. With networking events, technical workshops, certifications, conferences and our annual Industry Awards Gala Dinner, RFUANZ has helped foster both capability and pride within the sector.

Our longstanding engagement with Radio Spectrum Management (RSM), communications ministers, similar associations (like ARCIA and WISPA) and our support of professional certification pathways demonstrate RFUANZ’s commitment to maintaining excellence across the sector.

RFUANZ has identified clear priorities for the years ahead. These include strengthening workforce pathways through partnerships with training leaders such as E-TEC and ETITCISB (Electrotechnology Industry Skills Board), continuing strong advocacy on spectrum and regulatory matters, modernising engagement for the next generation of professionals, and expanding collaboration across the Tasman.

At 35, RFUANZ represents both continuity and progress — an organisation grounded in technical credibility, industry connection, and service to a sector essential for national safety and resilience. As we enter our next chapter, RFUANZ remains committed to championing best practice, supporting skilled professionals and ensuring New Zealand’s communication networks remain robust for decades to come.

To mark this milestone year, we encourage the industry to take an active role in celebrating the people and organisations that exemplify excellence in our sector. Award nominations are now open and close on 17 April — a valuable opportunity to recognise innovation, leadership and service across our RF community. We look forward to celebrating this with you at our 2026 Industry Awards Gala Dinner and Comms Connect New Zealand in Wellington this May.

Image: Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre. Credit: takina.co.nz