Wellington Access Radio was established to provide radio broadcasting to ethnic and minority communities as required by the Broadcasting Act S36(c). It is a proven model providing access to those who are underrepresented in mainstream media: ethnic minorities, religious minorities, women, youth/students, the disabled, sexual minorities, and those with different political or ethical points of view. Such groups make their own programmes and pay for air-time. Wellington Access Radio broadcasts in 25 languages serving 45 ethnic communities in the Wellington Region. Our station has taken a lead (working with agencies like RMS and local councils) in addressing many settlement issues for immigrants and refugees. It gives people a self-help mechanism to educate their communities, in their own languages, about issues covering education, health, ESOL, community linkages, news, voting, free speech, democracy, and all things Kiwi.* Access Radio is the first community radio station in New Zealand.* Next year we celebrate our 28th Year!* We are a non-profit charitable organization, partially funded by NZonAIR.* We have an eclectic range of programmes from music to special interests, minority groups, religions, and ethnical points of view.* We broadcast in over 30 languages, and represent 44 ethnic groups.* Anyone can be on access radio - all of our programmes are made by people from the community, not professional broadcasters.