Return of an Icon

AUCKLAND, Today: One of New Zealand’s great magazines, North & South, is back on the shelves this week – with new independent ownership. The magazine, which has set the benchmark for investigative journalism in New Zealand since 1986, relaunches this week.

Publishers Verena Friederike Hasel & Konstantin Richter this morning issued this joint statement: “The relaunch ensures that Kiwis’ desire for North & South’s unique long-form, investigative journalism will continue to be satisfied.

“After a lengthy process acquiring the magazine, Hasel and Richter, both successful book authors and journalists, say the driving force behind the purchase was the fact that they identify with what North & South stands for – top-notch journalism, and a keen eye for finding extraordinary stories in everyday life.

“There is a great need for the kind of journalism North & South offers,” they say. “People consume more news than ever but they also feel less informed. North & South, known for its long and thoroughly reported stories, is uniquely positioned to help.”

“Ed Morris spent days circling the ‘exercise yard’ at Auckland’s Pullman Hotel, brainstorming story ideas, and crafting the new-look magazine over Zoom calls with the new owners.”

Taking the helm as editor is Rachel Morris, a journalist raised in Hastings, who has made a name for herself in the United States as one of the founding editors of HuffPost Highline, an innovative digital magazine that adapts the best traditions of print journalism for the web.

Her first official day on the job at North & South was in managed isolation after returning from Washington D.C. in late September.

She spent days circling the ‘exercise yard’ at Auckland’s Pullman Hotel, brainstorming story ideas, and crafting the new-look magazine over Zoom calls with the new owners.

“My grandmother used to read North & South from cover to cover, and I’ve known it for as long as I can remember. It’s a great honour to have a chance to bring it back to life,” Morris said.

The new North & South aims to retain loyal subscribers by bringing back some classic features such as the popular Four Corners section, while also attracting new readers with an eclectic mix of stories and an updated design.

Some of the magazine’s best-known writers, such as Donna Chisholm and Michelle Langstone, will return as regular contributors, along with new additions such as senior editor Madeleine Chapman.

It’s on sale now. A one-year sub costs $ 75. Single issue sales from bookstores are $ 9.95.

• Buy subs here
• www.northandsouth.co.nz