Fifty years ago today Radio Hauraki made it's first ever broadcast.

It beamed ashore from a ship in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf, and was an attempt to get around the politics involved in broadcasting at the time.

The station had applied for broadcasting licenses, but they were rejected and the New Zealand Broadcasting Service held a monopoly on broadcasting.

One of the original 'Good Guys' Ian Magan said it's amazing to think that 50 years ago all broadcasting was operated by the government

"And it was our operation that helped change that situation. It was a momentous occasion in New Zealand history and it's great to be celebrating it with all of our old mates."

He said the station's success isn't a surprise.

"One thing we were absolutely certain of in those days was that our branding, before the word was even used in advertising circles, really established that we were different."

Radio Hauraki operated illegally until 1970 when a licence was granted.