Mediaworks and Kiwi FM have struck back at claims the three 102 frequencies it camps on should be put up for tender.

Former Kiwi FM general manager Karyn Hay was derisive of the suggestion, pointing out the importance the stations have to New Zealand.

"It would be very unfortunate to see the 102 spectrum carved up and sold to the highest bidder. They are, in effect, state owned assets and should be kept for future cultural use. If they are put up for tender and sold to the highest bidder then they will be lost forever," Hay says.

Mediaworks station Kiwi FM has been in the media spotlight after announcing it would go to 60/40 split between New Zealand and international music.

The station is not for profit and works with in the Mediaworks corporate structure broadcasting on three government owned frequencies 102.2 in Auckland, 102.1 in Wellington and 102.5 in Canterbury.

The station paid to set up the sites for broadcasting at approximately $50,000 a site, the major reason for broadcasting on only three of the nationwide 102 frequencies.

The Ministry of Culture and Heritage (MCH) manage the frequencies and are set aside for projects that benefit New Zealand’s culture and heritage.

Matthew Mollgaard a radio lecturer at the Auckland University of Technology has suggested the frequencies be put up for tender and would be worth millions.

“If they are put up for 'tender' and sold to the highest bidder- and who in today's market is likely to buy them? That investigation might be Journalism 101,” Ms Hay says.

Some people had difficulty grasping Kiwi FM was a not for profit organisation within the Mediaworks structure and had the notion that Mediaworks owned the frequencies. That’s not the case, the frequencies belong to the government, she says.

“We camp on these frequencies, the frequencies are always used on a temporary year-to-year basis.

“There has never been certainty of tenure from year to year which has made it very difficult for those trying to achieve the Ministry for Culture and Heritage's aims of championing New Zealand music,” Ms Hay says.

The idea to add 40% international content formulated in consultation with MCH and is with in the stations licence agreement, Mediaworks group radio programme director- music brands Andrew Szusterman says.

“The misconception is it will be top 40 pop, it will still be alternative.

“We wanted to make it a more palatable environment for our audience to attract more listeners so more people can listen to New Zealand music and hopefully Kiwi artists can get more audience exposure, bigger hits and some mainstream airtime on other radio stations,” Mr Szusterman says.

“We are still with in our agreement and the $300,000 funding we receive from NZ on Air for producing New Zealand show is not affected,” he says.

The existing agreement expires in June and discussions for the new renewal were just beginning.

On the subject of selling the stations, Mr Szusterman questions whether anyone who bought the stations would play 60% New Zealand music, if any.