Over the next three weeks, NZME will close 14 community newspapers, with the loss of 29 jobs. The company says a decline in advertising revenue and significant increases in distribution costs means the newspapers are no longer financially viable.
This announcement, the latest blow to the local media industry follows the Newshub closure, multiple rounds of cuts at TVNZ, and more recent job losses at Māori TV. The cost-cutting has seen hundreds of jobs in the sector disappearing.
The 14 NZME titles to close are the Hauraki-Coromandel Post, the Katikati Advertiser, the Te Puke Times, the Te Awamutu Courier, the Taupō & Tūrangi Herald, the Napier Courier, the Hastings Leader, the CHB Mail in Hawke’s Bay, the Stratford Press, the Bush Telegraph in Tararua, the Whanganui Midweek, the Manawatū Guardian, the Horowhenua Chronicle and the Kāpiti News.
Michael Boggs, chief executive officer at NZME, said the decision came after consultation with the NZME team, taking on external feedback from MPs, mayors, local businesses and readers. In an internal email, he said, “This is a sad day for NZME and it’s not news I want to be sharing. However, it is the right decision to ensure we continue to operate a sustainable media business and to put NZME in the best possible position for ongoing financial growth into the future.
“On behalf of everyone at NZME I want to say a heartfelt thanks to our exceptional team who has served our community network and thank them for their commitment, efforts and dedication to serving their local communities. Thank you also to our loyal customers and readers for their support.”
NZME owns the New Zealand Herald; nzherald.co.nz; six other daily newspapers; a suite of radio stations including Newstalk ZB; and property website OneRoof.
Several parties interested in buying individual community mastheads have already approached NZME, which has said it will “will liaise with those people in the coming days”.
Regardless of these discussions, NZME said it will publish the 14 titles for the final time by Christmas.
