Fresh look and topics in new format

How the new format newspaper will look. Photo / Herald Graphic

Some of New Zealand's best-known and most thought-provoking writers will join the Herald when the newspaper moves to compact format in two weeks.

The paper's new "dream team" of columnists includes Deborah Hill Cone, Toby Manhire, Rhys Darby and Jeremy Wells.

Journalists Hill Cone and Manhire will join Tapu Misa, Sir Robert Jones, Mai Chen, Brian Rudman and Claire Trevett on the opinion pages, in the main news section, each week.

Comedian Rhys Darby will write a weekly column in the new-look entertainment section, Colin Hogg will start a weekly TV review, and Sarah Daniell's 12 Questions will be extended to join Rachel Glucina's The Diary as a twice-weekly offering.

Ana Samways' extremely popular Sideswipe column will maintain its daily prominence - on the back page of the entertainment section.

The new-look newspaper will have a specialist, stapled business liftout each day - business editor Liam Dann and KiwiSaver specialist Helen Twose will join respected commentators Fran O'Sullivan and Brian Fallow. And the new-look liftout will offer specialist pages each day - small business on Mondays; Property Matters on Tuesdays; Business Traveller on Wednesdays and Innovation on Thursdays. The Business on Fridays retains its specialist features.

In sport, broadcaster and former "Newsboy" Jeremy Wells and Herald sports journalist Dana Johannsen will write weekly columns, along with Chris Rattue and Ian Jones.

Acclaimed writer Peter Calder will pen an observational news column each Wednesday, while Rudman and Phoebe Falconer are in the expanded Metro pages.

"It's essential that the new newspaper offers fresh perspectives and a diverse range of voices," said editor Shayne Currie. "We'll also have room for more debate, reader letters and contributed columns.

"We're pleased to be able to build our stable, and lead daily debate and discussion - through print and our digital platforms."

The new-look weekday Herald is on sale from Monday, September 10.

Readers can keep up to date with its evolution by visiting nzherald.co. nz/themoreyouknow