Plug pulled on last Radio NZ music studio

By ALAN PERROTT

Radio New Zealand's only remaining music studio will be demolished to make way for offices after a final rescue package was rejected.

Since 1990, the Helen Young Studio on central Auckland's Cook St has hosted the country's top musical talent, ranging from the Finn brothers and Dave Dobbyn, to Brooke Fraser, Goldenhorse and Pacifier.

It became Radio NZ's only music studio after the demolition of similar facilities in Auckland's Durham Lane and Broadcasting House in Wellington.

Under Radio NZ's lease agreement with The Radio Network, which owns the building, the public broadcaster must now demolish the 15-year-old facility and convert it back into office space by March 31 next year.

The Radio Network won ownership of the building when Radio NZ was divided up in 1996.

The studio's future came into question when it was decided to move Radio NZ's Auckland offices to another building on Cook St next year.

The Herald understands contractors have been asked to submit timetables to enable demolition work to commence before the lease expires on December 31.

In a confidential staff newsletter, Radio NZ chief executive Peter Cavanagh wrote: "Obviously we are deeply disappointed that the existing studio cannot be retained.

"Radio New Zealand's final offer to TRN, which provided a substantial premium on our present rental and wider Auckland market rentals, has been considered but not accepted by TRN."

Don McGlashan, former frontman for The Muttonbirds, Blam Blam Blam and The Front Lawn, said the decision is bad news for local music.

"The growth of miniaturised, digital studios means there just aren't that many decent-sized places around where large groups can set up and record. Now the city is losing an excellent studio equipped with great gear, operated by very good people. Life will become a lot more difficult for up and coming bands."

Singer-songwriter Dave Dobbyn has been an outspoken supporter of the studio and coined the phrase "Live at Helen's" which became the title of a CD showcasing performances captured at the studio as well as the name of a regular National Radio feature.

In an email from the United States, The Radio Network's Auckland general manager, Grant Lee, said he was surprised that confidential negotiations with Radio NZ were being used to apply pressure to the company.

"We reviewed [the] RNZ offer and we rejected it as it was only going to prolong the inevitable removal of the Helen Young Studio."

He said the current building-sharing arrangement with Radio NZ was unsatisfactory for both sides as Radio NZ required more space while The Radio Network was having to house some operations in other buildings.

"TRN does not believe that we should subsidise public radio by compromising our own operational floor space."

The 70sq m Helen Young Studio, named after the woman who ran RNZ's concert programme from 1960 to 1990, was built for between $500,000 and $1 million in 1990.

It is one of only four large recording studios operating in Auckland and is considered unique in Australasia because of its acoustic panels which can be moved to create the best soundscape for anything from a string quartet to a punk group.