Finn attacks support for all-NZ station

Neil Finn has hit out at the Government for supporting the struggling all-New Zealand music radio station Kiwi FM.

New Zealand's pre-eminent songwriter called the Government "weak and self-serving" for granting funds and free FM frequencies to CanWest to keep Kiwi FM alive.

Kiwi FM was a failed concept, the former member of Crowded House and Split Enz wrote to the Herald.

"We are all fans of some New Zealand music, but does anyone really want to listen to it all day long?"

CanWest launched the 100 per cent New Zealand music station in February last year, but sceptics doubted a station with such a narrow focus could survive commercially.

In the latest six-monthly commercial radio survey, from February to March this year, Kiwi FM had 0.7 per cent of the Auckland audience.

Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey agreed Kiwi FM had failed but said CanWest had put forward a variety of scenarios to keep it alive.

NZ on Air and the NZ Music Commission supported the move.