NZME proposes to dis-establish and rescope some regional newsroom roles, pour more resource into digital journalism roles

NZME has six regional daily newspapers in the North Island.

A number of editorial roles will be affected in a new proposal by media firm NZME to reallocate resources and budget from its regional and community newsrooms to other areas of its news operation.

NZME, owner of the NZ Herald, Newstalk ZB and a suite of six North Island regional mastheads, is understood to have presented plans to dis-establish some regional roles, rescope others and beef up editorial resources in geographic areas and content teams to reflect population and digital audience demand.

The Herald’s editorial teams have made strong inroads in the Wellington and Canterbury markets for some years, on a fraction of the numbers of people employed by publishing rival Stuff, which has had long-established print mastheads in those regions.

It is understood a number of editorial roles are impacted by today’s proposals - some will be rescoped, others are proposed to be disestablished.

Ultimately, up to 10-12 roles may be reallocated from regional and community newsrooms, with that budget reallocated to other areas of the news operation, such as the Wellington and Christchurch newsrooms, and the video, business and politics teams.

It is understood NZME sees strong digital audience potential in these areas, while maintaining regional teams to continue to look after print newspapers. A new regional news-directing team is also proposed to be established.

The company says it is not a cost-saving move - it is focused on allocating resources based on population and audience demand.

As well as the NZ Herald, NZME publishes the Northern Advocate in Whangārei, the Bay of Plenty Times in Tauranga, the Rotorua Daily Post, Hawke’s Bay Today and the Whanganui Chronicle. It has recently acquired the Gisborne Herald, and it also publishes a range of North Island community titles.

NZME and NZ Herald editor-in-chief Murray Kirkness said: “Earlier today we held meetings with our regional and community newsroom teams to let them know about some proposed changes that will allow us to reinvest in key strategic markets and take our digital transformation to the next level.

“The proposed changes would ensure we continue to serve regional online audiences while ensuring newsrooms have the resources and freedom to deliver excellent local content for print subscribers.

“We are proposing to remove 10-12 current roles, some of which are currently vacant, and we will then reinvest into new editorial roles across the country. This is not about saving money but reinvesting in other editorial areas.”

Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie is one of New Zealand’s most experienced senior journalists and media leaders. He has held executive and senior editorial roles at NZME including Managing Editor, NZ Herald Editor and Herald on Sunday Editor and has a small shareholding in NZME.