Coddington to join press gallery ranks

Act MP Deborah Coddington may be quitting politics at this year's election but she will continue to keep a close eye on Parliament as a senior writer for the Herald on Sunday.

Ms Coddington, who announced her decision to leave politics in April, is likely to be based in the newspaper's office in the parliamentary press gallery but will write features on a variety of topics, not just political matters.

"I am so excited, just so excited. I can't wait to get back to it. I have missed it," she said.

However, not everyone is quite as excited as Ms Coddington about her her new job.

The Herald understands news of the appointment was met with consternation by some members of the press gallery who are concerned it may present a conflict of interest.

But Herald on Sunday editor Shayne Currie said Ms Coddington, who has been a contributing columnist for the paper since it was launched last October, would be as objective as any journalist when it came to reporting stories.

Ms Coddington, who was Qantas Journalist of the Year in 2002, said the paper's readers were intelligent enough to cope with the fact her "political colours have been nailed to the mast".

"But I also expect that I will be professional enough to leave my politics at the door sometimes when I do a story."

 

Mr Currie said Ms Coddington, who has previously been a journalist for North & South magazine, would have a roving role and would be producing "investigative and indepth journalism" for the paper.

"She will be a huge asset. She is one of New Zealand's pre-eminent print journalists, with a strong background particularly in magazines. As we continue to build the new paper up, she will play a key role.

"People know her background of the last three years, but they may not be so aware of her journalism background."

Ms Coddington said she would start about one month after the election.

- additional reporting NZPA

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