Expat SA journo becomes NZ editor

22 Feb 2012

NEW ZEALAND: Former South African journalist Andrew Austin has been appointed editor of a New Zealand newspaper, the Hawke's Bay Today, APN News & Media's largest regional daily newspaper in the country.

The 44 year-old Austin, who emigrated to New Zealand about a decade ago after many years as Business Day's news editor, will take up his new position on 14 March 2012, APN has announced, one week before the paper switches to morning delivery. The paper serves the Hawke's Bay area on the North Island's eastern coast and has a circulation of about 25 000 readers.

Austin told Bizcommunity.com: "I am very excited about the opportunity to edit my own newspaper and am humbled that I have been chosen above other worthy candidates. I believe the good training I received on South African newspapers has stood me in good stead and I am looking forward to producing bold, lively newspapers that matter to the community."

Grew up in East London

Austin, who grew up in East London, was appointed chief reporter of The New Zealand Herald in Auckland in 2006, leading a team of more than 20 reporters. Joining APN in 2002, he has held a number of senior roles, including deputy editor of the leading news website nzherald.co.nz. He had previously worked as a senior reporter for the Independent Business Weekly in New Zealand.

Prior to being Business Day's news editor - and an assistant editor at the paper - in Johannesburg, Austin was the news editor of the Daily Dispatch in East London and he also worked at The Mercury in Durban.

APN's New Zealand regionals COO Rick Neville, said: "Andrew is one of the editorial leaders of New Zealand's largest and most successful daily newspaper. It says a lot for the reputation of Hawke's Bay Today that he is leaving such a respected publication to join our Hawke's Bay team."

At the heart of its community

Austin said Hawke's Bay Today was highly regarded as a newspaper at the heart of its community.

"My intention in taking up the editorship as we move to morning delivery is to maintain our proud reputation as the No. 1 source of news and opinion in the region," Austin said in APN's press release. "It is going to be a very exciting year for Hawke's Bay Today and for me personally."

Updated at 2.14pm on 22 February 2012.