Editorial: Shapely new look rolls out

Forgive me if this lacks some coherency but it's been a long day.

A long few weeks actually.

I've been lucky though. Our distribution manager Rangi Harding and her fantastic team of two - Aroha Pawa and Jo Hogan - were up at 2am this morning to meet the paper as it arrived in Whangarei for the first time on a morning delivery schedule.

I only had to be up at 6am in time to make it for a 7am breakfast with 50 Advocate subscribers.

After several weeks describing the paper's new shape, what a delight to actually have it here, in front of us.

I spent the afternoon responding to emails and phone calls from readers who took up the invitation to get in touch.

We consider all your feedback - positive and negative.

Yesterday's feedback ranged from the slightly cheeky "I'll be able to read it in the bath" from a charming lady at breakfast, to a caller who asked pragmatically "could you staple it together?" to the slightly left of field ... "it's no good for wrapping things in".

I can probably safely say that stapling the paper would add extra cost that we would be reluctant to pass on to readers.

Also, yesterday's Advocate was a monster 60-plus pages, generally the paper will range in size each day from 28/32 pages to about 40, which will be far more manageable.

In terms of any other changes we have made, I am keeping a data base of suggestions and feedback, and we'll review it after a week or two and see if we need to make any tweaks.

Call me on my direct line 470 2852 or email editor@northernadvocate.co.nz