'By', 'for' and 'about' - those are three essential words of community access broadcasting. 'For' and 'about' are objectives of all public broadcasters, but the word that sets access broadcasting apart is that little one: by - it's our by-word.

In community access broadcasting the people are at the centre of the process and there is no editor. Throughout New Zealand real people are making local radio that is vital, engaged, representative and unique, reflecting our many cultures and collectives as well as some of our most colourful individuals and interests.

Community access radio is lively, rich, passionate and enthralling radio; an affordable, accessible, and engaging medium that is affective, even transformative in people's lives.

Community access radio stations do not make programmes - they provide the facilities, training and infrastructure that allow citizens to make their own radio. In so doing, access radio stations are both broadcasters and community facilitators.

Around New Zealand 11 community access stations are achieving great things with the communities they serve:

• Through comprehensive training programmes, they are empowering groups with skills and voices that reflect their needs and their identity
• Providing successful settlement outcomes for new New Zealanders
• Preserving language and cultural identity
• Giving voice to unheard groups
• Airing many hours of youth radio and grey radio services
• Access radio is a conduit for community health and welfare education
• it provides exposure to creative communities especially literature and music
• and gives expression to Aotearoa's many belief systems.

Community access radio is participatory broadcasting democracy.

Representing those eleven radio stations is the national Association of Community Access Broadcasters. ACAB is a listening post and lobbying body, which aims to provide a resource for stations and a link for potential broadcasters to the stations in their area. This website introduces you to the principles of community access broadcasting and connects you to the voice of your community.

Any enquiries regarding the national association should be sent to: info@acab.org.nz