Wharite Peak

Wharite Peak is a mountain at the southern end of the Ruahine Range, north of Woodville in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand. The mountain is home to the main television and FM radio transmitter for the city of Palmerston North and the wider Manawatu region.

Etymology

Wharite is a corruption of either Whare-Iti or Whare-tītī.
According to Rangitāne o Manawatu, Wharite was inhabited by Iti a Tohunga from the Ruakawa Pa area below. The Tohunga was banished to the peak due to his small stature and disfigurements. However, Rangitāne o Manawatu still consulted him for his knowledge related to environmental matters.

Transmitter

A pilot 1 kW television transmitter was established atop Wharite in 1963, relaying WNTV1 from Wellington.
In October 1963, the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation announced Wharite as one of four sites to receive permanent 100 kW television transmitters. The new 100 kW transmitter and transmitter tower came into service on 4 April 1966. Buttresses were added in 1991 to reinforce the tower, while the tower height was reduced to the present in the late 2010s after analogue switch-off.
In addition to the main TV/FM tower, there is also a smaller FM-only tower to the south.

Former analogue television frequencies

The following frequencies were used until 29 September 2013, when Wharite switched off analogue broadcasts.

TV Channel	Transmit Channel	Transmit Frequency	Band	Power
TV One	2V	55.25 MHz	VHF	100
TV2	4V	175.25 MHz	VHF	200
TV3	7V	196.25 MHz	VHF	100
Four	11V	224.25 MHz	VHF	16
Māori Television	46V	671.25 MHz	UHF	250
Prime	62V	799.25 MHz	UHF	250