Radio Australia was one of the sole survivors of shortwave radio in the region, however, it's a shadow of its former self of years not too distant.
Budget cuts and funding issues meant that most of the programming was "lifted" off ABC News Radio and Radio National which is the Australian national domestic service.
They cite that shortwave radio is "dated" technology and has reached its use by date and that Digital Radio and Internet Streaming will be the key focus from January 31st 2017.
Radio Australia is extremely popular in the Pacific island nations, not only do the expatriate community but locals alike tune to radio Australia for news, sport and features.
Not so long back when I was on Nauru in the Central Pacific one could hear Radio Australia coming from various houses all over the island when Australian Rules Football "match of the day" was broadcast live, likewise in the southern Pacific where rugby union and rugby league is popular many tuned to Radio Australia for the live matches on shortwave.
While living on various islands in Micronesia and the South Pacific it was customary for the local MW radio station to take a "relay" of the Radio Australia news and rebroadcast it over the local MW outlet for locals who don't have SW radio.
In the past few years there has been very little "in house" productions at Radio Australia, it turned into a clone of ABC News Radio and ABC Radio National, thus reducing staffing levels and the all important "costs" involved.
Looks like Radio New Zealand will be left to fill the void, but for how long will RNZ survive for?
Jack VK2XQ (fomerly C21JH, 3D2JH, V63JH, T30JH, P29JH, KC6JH, A35JH, H44JH.)