Kirkness says ongoing changes in the media landscape, including the changing habits of audiences, only further reinforce the primary goal of NZME’s newsrooms – producing trusted, quality, independent journalism with impact.
“It’s an exciting time to step into the role,” he says.
“NZME and the Herald have brilliant, passionate people delivering quality journalism every day. And they produce that valuable - and valued - work because they’re driven to inform, entertain, help and inspire New Zealanders.
“To be able to continue to play a part in leading the team – one with such a proud history of such outstanding and trusted journalism – is amazing.”
He said NZME’s newsrooms all recognised the challenges as the media industry grappled with disruption. “But challenges also provide fantastic opportunities and nowhere is better placed to make the most of them than NZME.”
He said he was looking forward “to accelerating our digital transformation to help provide long-term sustainability while continuing to produce newspapers and radio bulletins so many Kiwis look forward to, enjoy and rely on”.
“NZME is lucky to have many innovative and talented people not only producing great content but also delivering it in new and different ways across a variety of ever-changing formats and platforms.
“But for the newsroom it will always come back to the heart of our mission: producing trusted, quality journalism with impact.”
Kirkness, a former editor of the Otago Daily Times, joined the NZ Herald in 2015 as editor, following the elevation of Shayne Currie to the role of managing editor.
Currie resigned as managing editor earlier this year, to become NZ Herald editor-at-large, with a focus on journalism, public-facing audience events, and customer projects.
Kirkness, who reports to chief digital and publishing officer Carolyn Luey, starts in his new role immediately.
