New radio station for Tauranga

 A new Tauranga-based radio station is about to be launched.

The Drop will be broadcast on 106.9FM and be manned by local radio presenters.

The station will play music local people want to hear, station manager and breakfast host Pat Spellman says.

Mr Spellman said he and a group of others formed The Drop after recognising a gap in the market.

"With the exception of Moana Radio, there's no local radio station after lunchtimes. So we are looking forward to bringing back local radio, pushed by locals."

Mr Spellman said the station would be aimed at under 35-year-olds who felt left out by Auckland-based stations and would play music that mirrored music being played in Tauranga's hospitality scene.

"There's a lot of people who like the music they are hearing in the clubs and we can cater for that on our airwaves," Mr Spellman said.