The Loxene Golden Disc was an annual New Zealand music award which ran from 1965 to 1972. It was superseded by the Recording Arts Talent Awards (RATA).
55-799: The awards launched in 1965 and is the forerunner of the New Zealand Music Awards . It was created by the advertising agency of British multi-national company Reckitt & Colman , with support from the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation (NZBC), the New Zealand Federation of Phonographic Industries and the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), with the awards named after Reckitt & Colman's anti-dandruff shampoo, Loxene . 10 finalist songs (later 12) were selected annually by
110-460: A studio album nor have been nominated for a New Zealand Music Award in the past. Clear Communications Tim Cullinane (1997 - 2000) Clear Communications Ltd was a telecommunications company based in New Zealand . Until merging into Telstra 's operations in 2001, it was the biggest rival to Telecom New Zealand . Prior to 1987, New Zealand's telecommunications sector
165-582: A Cover of The Year award, but there is no record of who won this. The award were broadcast live on television and simulcast on NZBC radio stations. The awards were again held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Auckland, on 15 October 1969. Three news awards were introduction - secondary awards for the best group and best solo artist, as well as an award for the best producer. New Zealand Music Awards The Aotearoa Music Awards (previously called
220-429: A balance of established overseas telephone company expertise, commercial experience and funds, and State Owned Enterprise transmission network infrastructure. It also confirmed that the market place was big enough for just one major competitor to Telecom. As the various parties began to align with each other, two groups emerged. Broadcasting Communications Limited (BCL), the subsidiary of TVNZ, teamed with BCI to publish
275-406: A choice of billing cycles. There was a calculated risk and considerable cost in setting new standards of customer service. Credit was offered on a call if a customer was not satisfied. 80% of inquiries were resolved on the first customer contact. Capacity was monitored on individual routes to avoid the blocking of calls. Quality control criteria were designed which were constantly monitored to ensure
330-462: A competitor if prices were 10 to 20% lower than Telecoms. Having emerged in September 1988, Broadcast Communications, with its microwave network for disseminating television signals, indicated a strong desire to be part of a BCI and Fisher & Paykel joint venture. Due to effects of a weakening economy in the late eighties, Fisher & Paykel decided to bow out. The Wellington-based Todd Corporation
385-589: A market study and business plan for the establishment of the Alternative Telecommunications Company. TVNZ was looking for the factor with would differentiate their alternate telecommunications company from Telecom. At the helm of the BCI team was George Newton who had risen from telephone technician to executive level in the Canadian telecommunications giant. George Newton proceeded immediately to draw up
440-436: A panel, with the winner decided by a public vote. While initially only one prize was given, other awards were added, including categories for record cover, recording artist of the year, and a producer award. From 1969, two awards were given - one to a solo artist, the other to a group however there was still one supreme award. In 1965 and 1966 compilation LPs with tracks by annual finalists were released by Viking Records , with
495-408: A second deal allowing Clear access to Telecom's local services was still being negotiated. Interconnection, the linchpin connecting two or more telecommunications networks, allows calls to flow between them. Full commercial operations offering Clear 051 and Clear Business 050 came on 7 May 1991. The launch advertising projected the principles of fairness and value. British talk show host Michael Aspel
550-604: A standard of service equal to the best available anywhere in the world. By June 1992, ClearCard and Familiar Voices were launched, followed by telemarketing and PhonePower in July. "Familiar Voices" was a value-added toll system that provided call discounts to customers who nominated people they would be calling on a regular basis. PhonePower provided business consulting and training services to maximize productivity and profits in areas such as sales, marketing, order processing, sales support, customer service and cash management. The marketing
605-407: The New Zealand Music Awards ), conferred annually by Recorded Music NZ , honour outstanding artistic and technical achievements in the recording industry. The awards are among the most significant that a group or artist can receive in New Zealand music , and have been presented annually since 1965. The awards show is presented by Recorded Music NZ. A range of award sponsors and media partners support
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#1732894265720660-636: The North Island Main Trunk railway (between Auckland and Wellington) and the financial support of one of New Zealand's leading corporates constituted serious competition. Todd MCI had access to the North Island through New Zealand Railways' fibre optic cable. The BCI/BCL group had access to national coverage through BCL's microwave facility. George Newton convinced BCI's principals in North America to carry on with their venture. In March 1990, all of
715-602: The 1970, 1971 and 1972 LPs released by HMV on behalf of the industry. The television broadcast of the 1972 show won the 1973 Feltex Award for Best Light Entertainment. The final Loxene Golden Disc awards were presented in 1972. In 1973 the New Zealand Federation of Phonographic Industry (later named the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand ) created its own awards, the Recording Arts Talent Awards (RATA). The first Golden Discs ceremony
770-726: The 1970s, broadcasting of the contemporary award ceremony started in 2004. In 2020, the awards were renamed the Aotearoa Music Awards; its acronym doubly serves to mean a waka 's outrigger ( ama ) reflecting the award's goal of supporting the local music industry. Created in 2007 in conjunction with the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame pays tribute to those who have "shaped, influenced and advanced popular music in New Zealand." Two musicians or groups are inducted into
825-470: The BCI/BCL business plan. With a team of fourteen to assist, he completed it on 8 December 1989, just four weeks after commencement. By February 1990, BCL, TVNZ and BCI had signed a Heads of Agreement to work in partnership on an alternate telecommunications project. Todd Corporation, New Zealand Railways Corporation and American telecommunications company MCI were poised to do likewise. Both parties were aware of
880-568: The BCI/BCL venture was to cost an estimated $ 125 million. George Newton was appointed Chief Executive of the ATC and he and Robert Brydon, Ted Trimmer, Darryl Dorrington and Neil Tuckwell began work on the agreements needed before the company could begin trading. Among the eighteen Conditions Precedent, the main ones included a Heads of Agreement with Telecom, a service agreement with BCL and New Zealand Railways Corporation (the Railways Corporation
935-723: The Clear Music and Entertainment Awards, sponsored by Clear Communications . From 1998 the awards reverted to music only, with the name going back to the New Zealand Music Awards and the award trophy nicknamed the Tui. Also in 1999 Coca-Cola New Zealand became the naming rights sponsor of the awards, known as the Coca-Cola New Zealand Music Awards for one year only. Since 2004, the show's principal sponsor has been Vodafone New Zealand . With Vodafone's sponsorship,
990-763: The New Zealand Federation of Phonographic Industry decided to institute its own system; these awards became known as the Recording Arts Talent Awards (RATA). From 1978 the awards became known as the RIANZ Awards after the NZFPI changed its name to the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ). In 1996 and 1997 the awards were merged with the Entertainer of the Year Awards and were known as
1045-648: The SOEs to work together with encouraging results. On November 29, 1989, Todd announced the formation of MCI Todd Communications Ltd. The new company would provide competing telecommunications services in New Zealand. Announcing the new company, John Todd, Chairman of the Todd Corporation, said it offered "a great opportunity to bring new technology and service products to the country's 2.4 million telephone users." The international expertise and investment of MCI, together with New Zealand Railways fibre optic cable running along
1100-689: The Telecommunications Amendment Act in December 1988. Full deregulation for the telecommunications industry came into effect on 1 April 1989. "Consumers will benefit substantially from opening up the telecommunications market to competition", Prebble told New Zealanders in June 1988. He noted that Telecom's competitors would be heavily dependent on it for facilities and services, giving Telecom scope to act anti-competitively if so wished. He added, however, that he had received an assurance in writing from
1155-517: The absence of a specific telecommunications regulatory body. Telecom had established the Permission to Connect (PTC) document, the lifeblood of the business. This meant that the dominant carrier was setting the rules. And since Telecom had not contemplated local service or 0800 service competition, the Agreement with Telecom would prove the most difficult to achieve. Staff en route from North America to join
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#17328942657201210-649: The awards became known as the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards (VNZMA's). In 2008 the awards ceremony moved to Vector Arena in Auckland , New Zealand . Prior to this move the event was primarily invitation only, and the increased size of the Vector Arena enabled the event to be attended both by invitation and by the public through sale tickets. While the Loxene Golden Disc award was televised in
1265-447: The awards named after Reckitt & Colman's anti-dandruff shampoo, Loxene. While initially only one prize was given, other awards were added, including categories for record cover, recording artist of the year, and a producer award. From 1970, two awards were given - one to a solo artist, the other to a group however there was still just one supreme award, selected from these two. The Loxene Golden Disc awards continued until 1972 when
1320-441: The current Clear offer. Clear also sought an injunction to prevent Telecom from misusing a list of Clear customers supplied to Telecom for implementation of no-code access. By mid-1993, Telecom was processing Clear customers at a rate of 3000 lines a week. Telecom began writing to these Clear customers as a part of the marketing campaign, Clear was granted an injunction. Clear and Telecom were awaiting an Appeals Court decision over
1375-547: The event each year. The first awards for New Zealand recorded music were the Loxene Golden Disc awards, launched in 1965. The awards were created by soap powder manufacturer Reckitt & Colman 's advertising agency, with support from the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation (NZBC), the New Zealand Federation of Phonographic Industries and the Australasian Performing Rights Society (APRA), with
1430-598: The final time at the White Heron Lodge on 4 November 1967. A television programme previewing the 10 finalists screened two days before the ceremony. Instead of the studio performances of previous years, the show used video clips of the artists performing their songs. In 1968 the awards ceremony moved to Auckland, with the Golden Disc presented at the Intercontinental Hot on 7 November 1968. The awards also included
1485-488: The first call on the new network, between Wellington and Auckland, using New Zealand Rail's fibre optic cable. At the eleventh hour, when Telecom had still not issued the interconnection permit, Clear took the bull by the horns, went public and got front-page publicity. Telecom had only issued the permit Clear required to link to Telecom's toll system on the evening before the agreed connection date. The interconnection agreement for toll by-pass had been signed on March 4, although
1540-485: The following month, ATC moved to permanent premises in Murphy Street. The company's General Manager Sales and Marketing David Patten asked Sandy Fain to come up with the company name and logo. Fain briefed Leo Burnett on the company's values. 25 names were considered before arriving at Clear Communications. The logo "reflected the clean, bright colours of New Zealand." On 14 November 1990, the first full board meeting of
1595-560: The full benefits of competitive telecommunications. A national telephone survey conducted by Insight Research in February 1993 showed that 66% of the 750 people surveyed believed Telecom was taking advantage of its position with only 15% indicating that Clear was getting a fair go. At the same time, almost 70% of the survey participants attributed the benefits in price and service that had been achieved to Clear's competitive stance. Prices for toll calls had reduced by almost half since Clear entered
1650-541: The future and a framework was proposed which, it was hoped by the court decision, would promote negotiations between Clear and Telecom. Clear took its objection to this finding back to Court in August 1993 but the resolution of these issues, all related to the cost and terms of access to various parts of the Telecom system, is still awaited. Telecom has argued that the prices it has charged Clear to use its network were fair because of
1705-640: The hall each year, one at the APRA Silver Scroll Awards , decided by APRA, and the other is the winner of the Legacy Award at the Aotearoa Music Awards, selected by Recorded Music NZ. Awarded from 2010 until 2016, the Critics' Choice Prize was given to artists who were expected to be successful in the music industry in the future. To be eligible for the award, an artist must have neither released
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1760-486: The head of Telecom, Dr Peter Troughton, that Telecom would facilitate the emergence of a competitive market in telecommunications, and that it would provide interconnection to its facilities on fair terms and conditions. Telecom's activities and the interconnection agreements, fundamental to the successful entry of competitors, were to be subject to the scrutiny of the Commerce Act 1986 . The Department of Trade and Industry
1815-457: The increments it needed to add to provide the capacity Clear requested. Clear's view has been that Telecom, in the absence of an effective referee has behaved like a de facto regulator. For example, it has practised price bundling whereby monopoly and competitive products are bundled for an overall discount, to the disadvantage of competitors. For as long as that situation was allowed to continue, Clear has maintained that New Zealanders would not reap
1870-529: The market. With the rise of competition came the fall of toll prices and an overall improvement in the level of customer service. Clear's efficient billing system was the main driver in the differentiation process. The bills went out accurately and on time. Calls not captured within a ninety-day billing period were not charged. Business customers could choose to aggregate their call volumes from multiple locations to maximize savings while still receiving separate account statements for each location. All customers had
1925-494: The need for more than one set of transmission facilities. TVNZ's microwave transmission and NZ Railway's fibre optic cable were both needed in the event of one failing. Both parties were also acutely aware that there was room for only one competitor in the New Zealand market. Todd Corporation had not only struck a firm association with the second largest telecommunications network in the world, MCI, and with New Zealand Railways Corporation but had also been instrumental in persuading
1980-617: The needs of the business market and Clear 051 designed for residential customers. Customers had been tested on the Clear network in April. The new entrant was able to offer toll service bills charged in steps of one-tenth of a minute. Telecom's lowest charge step was one minute. On 12 February an agreement was signed with Transpower to use their fibre optic system in the South Island and seven days later, Minister of Communications Maurice Williamson , made
2035-490: The new ATC told the minister, Richard Prebble, that they would cancel their network switch order due to the delays in getting an agreement with Telecom. ATC then agreed to defer cancelling while the Minister got Telecom to the table. On 24 August 1990 Telecom had publicly welcomed the merger of the joint ventures and stated that competition was "healthy for the industry and would benefit all our customers." A memorandum of Agreement
2090-613: The new company was held with John Ede as Chairman of the Board and George Newton CEO. The board confirmed the name which was unveiled to staff on a plinth in the lobby of the company headquarters. Clear Communications commenced leased line operations in January 1991. Clear's plan was to make its services available to 80% of telephone subscribers in New Zealand, thus offering New Zealanders a choice of their toll service provider. It developed two separate national toll services; Clear Business 050 to serve
2145-470: The parties, TVNZ, Todd, BCI and MCI met in the latter's offices in Washington. This began the merger process. Both sides had prepared details for interconnection agreements but Neil Tuckwell, an Australian competitive telecommunications expert who had been contracted to TVNZ had, together with Robert Brydon, met the Minister of Commerce to discuss interconnection. In February 1990, the senior representatives of
2200-462: The prices they were being charged and were not happy with a generally unresponsive service. By June 1988 Richard Prebble , then Minister of State Owned Enterprises , announced to the country the intention to deregulate the telecommunications industry and open it to competition. The mandate to the new state-owned enterprise, Telecom, was to operate in a profitable manner in a fair and competitive environment. The free and open competition became law with
2255-428: The telecommunications industry was signed between the two consortiums. This led to the creation of The Alternate Telecommunications Company (ATC) on 1 August 1990, the four main shareholders being TVNZ, BCI, Todd Corporation and MCI. New Zealand Railways Corporation was to have Board representation and equity options. The two business plans were then brought together - Todd MCI's venture was going to cost $ 80 million, and
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2310-802: The terms for access to the local customer. The original December 1992 court decision found Telecom in breach of Section 36 of the Commerce Act, which prohibits the use of a dominant position for the purpose of preventing or deterring competition. The section underlies the government's telecommunications policy to prevent anti-competitive behaviour. The two breaches were for not supplying Clear with Direct Dial-In (DDI) numbers which would have allowed Clear to start local service operations, and for asking for too much money for interconnecting Clear to its network. The decision also indicated Telecom's "Baumol-Willig" economic formula - whereby new entrants should compensate Telecom for lost profits - would not be anti-competitive in
2365-403: The two groups were brought together - Julian Mounter, Ted Trimmer, Senior Vice President Business Development for MCI, John Hunn, Stewart Berry, Vice President Sales for Bell Canada and George Newton. They worked out what was needed in New Zealand to set up a competitive company and agreed to work together. On 20 April 1990, a Memorandum of Understanding to form a single organization to compete in
2420-614: Was also to act as a watchdog to keep telecommunications on a competitive track. In 1990, Clear Communications made New Zealand history by establishing itself as the country's first telecommunications competitor. There was a keen interest among state-owned enterprises (SOEs) such as New Zealand Railways Corporation , Electricorp (later ECNZ) and the Broadcast Communications (a subsidiary of Television New Zealand ) who saw strong investment opportunities for their microwave, satellite or fibre optic cable capacity. The missing link
2475-529: Was broadcast on radio, live from the White Heron Lodge in Wellington on 25 November 1965. An earlier television programme featured the 10 finalists performing their songs live in studio. The 1966 award was again held at the White Heron Lodge in Wellington, on 9 November 1966. The event was broadcast live on radio. The night before, the finalist performed on an hour-long television special. The awards were held for
2530-443: Was chosen from a list of 200 to front the advertisements. The advertisements raised were objected to by Telecom who took issue with the application of the word "fair". Two years later Telecom took Clear to court with its advertising headline: "If you want to get the best deal on tolls from Telecom you'd be a Clear customer." The Telecom number was then printed underneath inviting customers to ask for two months of free toll calls to match
2585-572: Was dominated by the New Zealand Post Office , who also provided telephony and telegraph services. In 1987 the Post Office was split into three new businesses - Telecom Corporation of New Zealand , New Zealand Post and PostBank . When Telecom was created in 1987 the firm of Touche Ross was briefed to examine the feasibility of competition in New Zealand's telecommunications industry. Intensive research showed New Zealanders were unimpressed by
2640-455: Was first off the telecommunications block with an automated telephone charge card service. Called ClearCard, it allowed Clear customers to make national and international toll (and local) calls over the Clear network from any telephone in New Zealand; and for calls to New Zealand from any telephone in Australia, USA, and UK. Telecom refused to provide an access number until Clear explained what it
2695-546: Was for. Within two months, Telecom had its own card on the market. Clear introduced its toll-free 0508 service, an incoming tolls service that allowed customers to receive calls from anywhere in New Zealand (except for cellular or pay-phones) at no charge to the caller. Clear's market share grew faster than predicted. The aim, three years from the launch date, was for 5% market share and a staff of 175. Within six months of commencing operations, Clear attracted more than 30,000 customers. In its first year of operation, it had won 9% of
2750-494: Was moving back into the corporate business of telecommunications and the newly liberalised environment in New Zealand provided the opportunity. Leading New Zealand white wear manufacturer, Fisher & Paykel expressed interest in a joint venture and teamed with BCI in 1989 to investigate the feasibility of an alternate telephone company. Revenues from telecommunications at the time were in excess of NZ$ 2 billion. Market research showed that most customers would be prepared to change to
2805-503: Was pitched simultaneously at national accounts (top corporates and government), general and retail business, and residential. Clear promised services 12 to 15% cheaper than had been available from Telecom. For calls both within New Zealand and internationally, the pricing policy was based on charging in one-second increments (after the first minute). Additional benefits were call duration discounts for residential customers during off-peak hours and volume discounts for business customers. Clear
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#17328942657202860-610: Was preparing for market entry with MCI. Three independently researched business plans undertaken during this first phase of investigation of telecommunications opportunities were combined and expanded upon in an Alternative Telecommunications Company (ATC) business plan proposed by Touche Ross, (for TransPower , the bulk electricity network subsidiary of ECNZ), Booz Allen Hamilton (for New Zealand Railways) and Charles Gilmore, ex-General Manager of Telecom (for Todd Corporation) in March 1989. The report confirmed that viable competition required
2915-678: Was signed with Telecom covering toll by-pass, alternative networks, local services and 0800. A shareholders agreement was concluded and signed on 4 September and shareholders funds, available for the first time, were in excess of NZ$ 100 million. The four main shareholders would each initially have 25% equity. ATC's first consignment of switching equipment arrived in New Zealand in November that year and installation commenced. Neil Tuckwell moved from TVNZ over to ATC. His move coincided with ATC's shift from temporary offices at Quay Tower in Auckland to permanent accommodation at 49 Symonds Street. In Wellington,
2970-538: Was split into two in October 1990, with the fibre optic circuits going to a new entity, New Zealand Rail Limited ) to provide their respective microwave and fibre optic cable facilities, an agreement with TransPower, service agreements with BCI and MCI to contract experienced people from North America, approval from the Commerce Commission and foreign investment approval. One of the roadblocks for new entrants had been
3025-488: Was the telecommunications switching expertise. Bell Canada International (BCI), MCI Communications (MCI), Cable & Wireless , British Telecom , Telecom Australia and several other prominent overseas telecommunications suppliers with the technological digital switching expertise the New Zealand-based parties were looking for. Bell Canada undertook thorough market research and business plan studies in 1988. BCI
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