following the media firm\u2019s decision to literally stop the presses and close its Wellington print plant.<\/a><\/p>\nThe print-plant\u2019s future – and the personalities behind it – was always shaping as one of the juiciest media storylines of 2026, and neither Bowker nor Boucher were backing down from their respective positions last night.<\/p>\n
![\"The]()
The Petone print plant and (inset) Stuff owner and chief executive Sinead Boucher and Caniwi Capital executive chairman Troy Bowker.<\/p>\n
In a chess-like masterstroke, Bowker – who has robust views of the media and is no fan of Stuff – had acquired the land and building that houses Stuff\u2019s print plant from Australian media firm Nine last year. <\/p>\n
The Petone facility prints several Stuff newspapers, including Wellington\u2019s daily paper, The Post.<\/p>\n
Bowker told Media Insider last month that he would be serving Stuff the required one-year notice of termination next month, and that it would have to vacate the building by April 30 next year. <\/p>\n
\u201cI wish them luck finding a new premise and relocating their significant printing assets,\u201d he said at the time.<\/p>\n
But Stuff went on the PR front foot yesterday, announcing it had made its own call to close the print plant and consolidate the printing of its newspapers at its existing Christchurch facility from next year. <\/p>\n
Up to 30 jobs will be lost at the Petone plant, although the company hopes it can re-employ some staff in Christchurch. The company\u2019s lower North Island newspapers will be transported north – likely by truck and ferry, rather than the far more expensive air option – each day.<\/p>\n
Boucher said Bowker\u2019s acquisition of the building had nothing to do with the decision to close the plant, and that Stuff had been plotting its best option for several years – a claim that Bowker found laughable.<\/p>\n
In announcing the print-plant closure, Boucher took a verbal swing at Bowker over his earlier comments in the Herald.<\/p>\n
She said Bowker reminded her \u201ca little bit of Rumpelstiltskin, kind of jumping up and down out there, stamping his feet about things. We\u2019re just carrying on doing the thing we always planned to do\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has been amusing to see his quite shrill announcements and pronouncements about what they\u2019re going to do to us or what it might mean, or how this might affect our business, but he\u2019s been barking up completely the wrong tree,\u201d Boucher said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve just been happy to carry on making our own plan.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Stuff]()
Stuff owner and chief executive Sinead Boucher. Photo \/ Michael Craig<\/p>\n
Media Insider understands Stuff was blindsided by Bowker\u2019s acquisition of the property last year, but Boucher denied this, saying the company was aware early on of Bowker\u2019s interest. <\/p>\n
She said Stuff had had opportunities to buy the land from Nine in the past, but discounted it as an option.<\/p>\n
Bowker said this was not the case and stood by his earlier comments last night. <\/p>\n
He said it was \u201camusing to see Sinead Boucher pretend it\u2019s her decision to exit\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe termination notice under the lease is legally served on 1 April,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s 12 months from the date Stuff are required to exit. I have provided them notice in advance of it being served as a courtesy.<\/p>\n
\u201cStuff were never offered a longer lease without a substantial rent increase.\u201d <\/p>\n
Boucher confirmed the company was offered an extended lease. \u201cIt was an increase on what we were paying, but probably not something out of line with the market, I wouldn\u2019t have thought.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said she wished Bowker \u201cwell in his future plans there, but extending the lease with him was never part of our plan\u201d.<\/p>\n
![\"Caniwi]()
Caniwi Capital executive chairman Troy Bowker.<\/p>\n
In response to Boucher\u2019s description of \u201cshrill\u201d comments and that he reminded her of Rumplestiltskin, Bowker said: \u201cWe\u2019ve only ever said the property has a better and more valuable use as a residential development, which will provide much-needed housing for Lower Hutt. That\u2019s just a commercial fact.\u201d<\/p>\n
Under the lease agreement, Stuff will have to remove all of its printing equipment and restore the building to a leasable state. That\u2019s expected to be a hefty and costly exercise, involving the removal of walls and possibly part of the roof.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy interest in the property is to redevelop it. Removing the extensive printing plant is Stuff\u2019s responsibility,\u201d said Bowker. \u201cI wish them luck with their consolidation plans to print the North Island papers from Christchurch.\u201d<\/p>\n
A source independent of Boucher and Bowker estimated the restoration of the building would cost millions.<\/p>\n
Boucher said the cost was \u201cfar less than what Troy Bowker is putting out in the media\u201d.<\/p>\n
Bowker said: \u201cWe shall see! That\u2019s not what her own plant manager said, and the quotes we have.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a text message, he said: \u201cAs I previously said, I wish them luck.\u201d<\/p>\n
So what happens next?<\/p>\n
Setting aside the verbal sparring, Stuff now has a massive personnel and logistical project on its hands – firstly, looking after its workers, secondly, restoring the Petone building to its original state, and thirdly, sorting out how to transport its lower North Island newspapers from the South Island, on time, each day.<\/p>\n
In order to get newspapers such as The Post, Taranaki Daily News, Manawatu Standard and Wairarapa Times-Age into people\u2019s letterboxes and shops by 5am, they\u2019ll need to be in Wellington in the very early hours, for transporting around the lower North Island.<\/p>\n
One option might be the Interislander ferry that leaves Picton at 9.30pm each night – a truck would have to leave Christchurch by around 3pm to make that. That would mean a substantial change in editorial deadlines. <\/p>\n
Boucher wouldn\u2019t confirm the options but said the company had a \u201cdetailed freight plan\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t necessarily want to go into it here and now, but over the last couple of years, as we\u2019ve been planning this, reliable freight has obviously been a really key part of that. It definitely involves road mostly, and some other options where we might need them.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said the consolidation of newspaper printing in Christchurch would save the company \u201ca really significant amount of money operationally every year\u201d. She would not divulge financial numbers. <\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of the detail about how we will reimagine our publications and make sure they\u2019re fresh and lively and interesting – [that is] for the editors and Jo [Jo Norris, the managing director of Stuff Masthead Publishing] to really work on over the coming months.\u201d<\/p>\n
Boucher said the move to Christchurch would not lead to the specific consolidation or closure of any North Island papers. \u201cThis plan doesn\u2019t trigger anything else specifically. They just carry on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lyric v Lloyd – time for a drinks break<\/p>\n
While a Sinead Boucher-Troy Bowker peace deal is off the cards, Media Insider is happy to report the resolution of another media stoush.<\/p>\n
The Spinoff journalist Lyric Waiwiri-Smith was not happy this week that Stuff had launched an editorial series featuring a journalist sitting down for an interview with a politician … over a drink.<\/p>\n
In a since-deleted post on X, Waiwiri-Smith called it \u201cshameless\u201d that the rival media firm had \u2013 in her view \u2013\u201ccompletely\u201d ripped off the idea from her own Spinoff series, One MP, One Pint, in which she sits down for an interview with a politician … over a drink.<\/p>\n
![\"Lloyd]()
Lloyd Burr.<\/p>\n
Without naming Lloyd Burr, it was obvious Waiwiri-Smith was referring to his new Stuff series, Beers and Banter.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt least I\u2019m funny!\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\n
![\"Lyric]()
Lyric Waiwiri-Smith’s since-deleted post on X.<\/p>\n
But by the end of Thursday, the pair were wanting to have a drink with each other.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love my One MP, One Pint column \u2013 maybe slightly too much!” Wawiri-Smith told Media Insider. \u201cWhen Lloyd launched his new series, I got a bit protective. I suppose who can say they haven\u2019t had a busy few days and then fired off a tweet they later regret?\u201d<\/p>\n
Burr told Media Insider: \u201cDuncan [Duncan Greive] from The Spinoff contacted me this morning to apologise for this misunderstanding and for the assumptions that Lyric made.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are no hard feelings, and I\u2019ve moved on.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe concept of an interview over a beer is not new or unique. Heaps of people have done iterations of that concept over the years, including myself.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a huge fan of Lyric\u2019s work and will happily sit down with her and chat about this over a beer next time I\u2019m in Wellington. I\u2019ll even try to make her laugh!\u201d<\/p>\n
Waiwiri-Smith added: \u201cFor the record, Lloyd is a legend in the gallery and I probably owe him a beer.\u201d<\/p>\n
A CEO departs …<\/p>\n
The boss of Australia-New Zealand media firm Are Media – publisher of The New Zealand Listener, New Zealand Woman\u2019s Weekly and Woman\u2019s Day \u2013 is departing.<\/p>\n
Sydney-based Are Media chief executive Jane Huxley will leave the business next Thursday; she is being replaced by the firm\u2019s director of content, Sally Eagle.<\/p>\n
![\"Are]()
Are Media’s incoming chief executive Sally Eagle, left, and departing boss Jane Huxley. Photo \/ Are Media<\/p>\n
In a memo to staff, Are Media chairman Ben Hawter said Huxley had led the company \u201cduring a formative period, during which time Are Media established its identity as the pre-eminent media platform for women in Australia and New Zealand, across print, digital and live events and social media\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said the transformation under Huxley\u2019s leadership had been significant.<\/p>\n
\u201cEarly in the journey was the acquisition of the industry\u2019s sole distribution platform, now Are Direct, bringing distribution security for both Are Media and the broader industry. The brand portfolio was also significantly rationalised, clarifying the focus on women and lifestyle audiences.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hawter said Eagle \u2013 who has been with the firm for 16 years \u2013 brought \u201cto the CEO role a unique blend of people leadership, commercial acumen, customer insights and a deep understanding of consumer engagement. Sally has incredible passion for our brands, our vision and our people\u201d.<\/p>\n
Huxley\u2019s departure comes as Are Media titles remain on the block.<\/p>\n
It is coming up to one year since private equity owner Mercury Capital announced it was seeking a buyer. It wants to sell all the magazines as one portfolio, but there has been media speculation in Australia that the titles might start to be picked off, individually, this year.<\/p>\n
Mercury bought many of the former Bauer-owned titles in New Zealand and Australia in June 2020 for less than A$50 million ($54m) and housed them under Are Media. Bauer, a German-based publisher, had abruptly closed the titles several months earlier, just as the Covid outbreak started.<\/p>\n
Mercury Capital is run by an ex-pat New Zealand venture capitalist, Clark Perkins, out of Sydney.<\/p>\n
In New Zealand, Stuart Dick remains Are Media\u2019s NZ general manager.<\/p>\n
Media trust edges up<\/p>\n
Some heartening news for those of us at the coalface of journalism.<\/p>\n
Media trust in New Zealand is edging up, with still a lot of work to do, according to the latest Acumen Edelman Trust Barometer.<\/p>\n
The percentage of people who trust media is now at 39% \u2013 up from 36% in 2024 and 35% in 2025.<\/p>\n
But trust in the media is still below that of three other institutions \u2013 business, NGOs, and the Government.<\/p>\n
![\"The]()
The 2026 Acumen Edelman Trust Barometer.<\/p>\n
In a statement, Acumen chief executive Adelle Keely said media could \u201creduce division by prioritising accuracy and balance over amplification\u201d.<\/p>\n
The trust barometer had two key areas of focus for media:<\/p>\n
\u201cWrite accurate headlines instead of exaggerated or fear-inducing ones\u201d;\u201cDedicate equal time and coverage to different viewpoints on big issues\u201d.<\/p>\n
More broadly, the survey raised a new trend \u2013 New Zealanders are increasingly turning inwards when it comes to trust.<\/p>\n
\u201cAround three-quarters of New Zealanders (76%, on average) are now hesitant or unwilling to trust someone whose values, beliefs, approaches to problem-solving, or background differ from their own,\u201c said Acumen in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are increasingly sticking with what and who they know, retreating into familiar circles for information, relationships and reassurance.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the heart of this shift is a more uncertain environment. Economic pressure, the rapid pace of technological change, and the ongoing impact of misinformation are all contributing to a loss of confidence about the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cFewer than one in five New Zealanders (17%) believe the next generation will be better off compared to today, and fears around job security and global instability are rising.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mango squeezes out a new name<\/p>\n
One of New Zealand\u2019s best-known PR firms is dropping its name and being rebranded as part of the major changes that have been unfolding in the global advertising and marketing landscape.<\/p>\n
Mango PR is now FleishmanHillard Aotearoa \u2013 the new name reflecting the firm\u2019s position under the FleishmanHillard network.<\/p>\n
FleishmanHillard is owned by Omnicom, now the world\u2019s biggest advertising company after its merger with Interpublic (IPG) last year.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve seen many brand and personnel changes locally within the Omnicom network, including the DDB and FCB agencies rebranding to McCann.<\/p>\n
![\"Sean]()
Sean Brown, managing director, FleishmanHillard Aotearoa (formerly Mango Communications).<\/p>\n
FleishmanHillard Aotearoa – whose clients include McDonald\u2019s, Samsung, New Balance, Amex and Booking.com – will continue to be co-located alongside the McCann group of agencies.<\/p>\n
FleishmanHillard Aotearoa managing director Sean Brown said it was a bittersweet moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are so many positives to this change, but it is also somewhat bittersweet. Mango has been a leading agency in New Zealand for more than 20 years. It\u2019s a brand that\u2019s been widely recognised by clients and industry talent alike, and it has produced countless award-winning campaigns for both local and global brands.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the new move represented more than a name change.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a significant step for our team and our clients. This move connects us to a powerful global network and strengthens our transtasman collaboration. We now have access to more than 250 specialists in PR, social, creators and activations across ANZ, as well as advanced global tools, insights and expertise from the FleishmanHillard network.\u201d<\/p>\n
The rebrand would also enable deeper collaboration across Omnicom Oceania agencies.<\/p>\n
Brown said the new structure would allow the team to expand the breadth of services it offered clients. \u201cWe already offer full-service earned creative, corporate communications, influencer and social capabilities, as well as experiential and event production. Through FleishmanHillard, we now have even greater access to global expertise, specialist services and integrated communications capabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Editor-at-large Shayne Currie is one of New Zealand\u2019s most experienced senior journalists and media leaders. He has held executive and senior editorial roles at NZME, including managing editor, NZ Herald editor and Herald on Sunday editor and has a small shareholding in NZME.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It officially marks the end of his broadcast career across sports and entertainment. \u201cIt\u2019s a bit of a…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":349296,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[3041,192,30084,4282,123699,85356,185430,138,2046,3500,17163,6097,35702,10113,2936,194,172523,46298,4974,32573,1073,111,139,69,1118,1523,4885,57,166405,106487,110073,24365,185428,123698,4707,3057,19346,77689,437,185429,6149,26157],"class_list":["post-349295","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-business","tag-agency","tag-are","tag-beer","tag-boss","tag-boucher","tag-bowker","tag-burr","tag-business","tag-career","tag-ceo","tag-closure","tag-down","tag-exit","tag-feud","tag-insider","tag-kiwi","tag-lloyd","tag-lyric","tag-magazine","tag-mark","tag-media","tag-new-zealand","tag-newzealand","tag-nz","tag-of","tag-over","tag-plant","tag-print","tag-printplant","tag-quits","tag-rebrands","tag-richardson","tag-richardsons","tag-sinead","tag-spinoffs","tag-steps","tag-stuff","tag-troy","tag-tv","tag-waiwirismith","tag-war","tag-words"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/349295","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=349295"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/349295\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/349296"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=349295"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=349295"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=349295"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}