NZART Centenary 2026
NZART was founded in Auckland in 1926.
This is the official page for the NZART centenary
commemorative activities planned for 2026.
ZL100 AWARD
This award is a celebration of NZART’s centenary based on amateurs contacting stations using special callsigns in the form of ZL100XXX which can be allocated by applying to the NZART Business Manager. Contact details are phone (04) 939 2189 or email nzart@nzart.org.nz
The Award dates for contacts run from the 1st June 2026 until the 31 August 2026 inclusive.
Each ZL100XXX participating station must keep a log sheet and are asked to send them to the Awards Manager by 15th September 2026.
Non ZL100XXX stations working a ZL100XXX station can apply for the award by submitting a log sheet with their contacts.
Points will be awarded for:
First contact per ZL100XXX station = 10 points
Subsequent contact with same station on a different Band = 5 points
Subsequent contact with same station on a different Mode = 5 points
Contacts with same station on different days = 1 point
Awards will be issued for progressive working 100, 250, 500 and 1000 points.
Send to awards@nzart.org.nz or to strobnz@gmail.com
As per the NZART Awards conditions all awards are on an honesty basis and NZART Awards Manager reserves the right to cross check to validate entries.
Portable Activity Day
While Portable Activity Day has also come and gone Branches are encouraged to make themselves visible to the community throughout 2026, our centenary year. Consider running clubroom open days and offering visits to organisations such as service clubs.
ZM prefix
The Radio Operator Certificate and Callsign Rules (PIB 46) document permits amateurs and club stations to use “ZM” rather than “ZL” as a prefix during commemorative events. NZART members are encouraged to use the ZM prefix during the 2026 year as a celebration of our centenary.
ZL100 callsigns
There are three ZL100 stations currently active – ZL100C, ZL100AM and ZL100MVL.
Look out for a news of a special award for contacting ZL100 stations, to be launched at Conference 2026.
Official Broadcast
Official Broadcasts during 2026 will include historic items with audio clips featuring NZART members who were instrumental in creating our 100 year history. Tune in to 3.900 MHz LSB at 2000 hours on the last Sunday of each month from February.
NZART History Book
A fully-illustrated book documenting our association’s history will be published in 2026. All members that pay a full-registration to the NZART Conference will receive a free copy of this book. Additional copies will be made available for purchase after conference.
2026 Conference
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
Go to the following URL for conference information and the registration form.
More centenary celebratory activities will be added soon.
Craig Crawford ZL3TLB, NZART Historian, email: milestones@nzart.org.nz