The search for a new leader begins. Is it you?
Later this year, after four extremely fulfilling and busy years in the role, I will be stepping down as editor of The Spinoff. I’ll be taking a break and then returning for a little while longer to work on some special writing projects.
This is where you’d expect to read something like it was a really difficult decision but in my case, and for reasons I’m proud of, it wasn’t. When I accepted this job in 2021 as a mere child (27), I made two promises to myself.
- I would commit fully to the role and do it for three years or until I felt that I had done what I wanted to do as editor.
- I would regularly check in with myself to reflect on the first promise.
I kept the second promise and when I checked in with myself earlier this year, I realised that three years had passed and I had done what I wanted to do as editor.
So there was only one thing left to do and that was to step aside and encourage someone else to bring their vision, approach and idiosyncrasies to an exceptional editorial team that I’ve been so proud to lead these last few years.
Do not mistake this for some noble, selfless act though. I’m excited to have a bit of a rest and to explore new opportunities in potentially vastly different areas of work and life.
I joined The Spinoff in 2016 shortly after its first birthday, just wanting any work that would let me write for a living. And within that office (well, three different offices over the years), I have been able to write, commission, manage, direct, produce, strategise and edit. The last 10 years of my life have, either metaphorically or literally, been recorded on thespinoff.co.nz. Longtime readers have said to me that they feel like they’ve watched me grow up, which is true and at times a little terrifying. So now feels like the right time to graduate and I’m very excited to get really into long walks or something.
I will also leave very fortunate, having been able to assist my colleagues in producing work of which I’m incredibly proud. Tough but vital reports on historical wrongs, in-depth features on knotty social issues, thoughtful and critical culture analysis, accessible election coverage both general and local, and a whole lot of humour. It brings me much joy to know that all of that work will continue.
A lot has changed since the day I started as editor. In November 2021, the vast majority of Spinoff staffers were working from their homes in Auckland, wondering if we’d ever get out of lockdown. Today, we still have our Auckland office as a home base but now have three writers in Wellington – two of whom are based in the press gallery – as well as writers in Christchurch and Dunedin. We feel somehow more national and more regional, thanks to invigorated local reporting from all over the country, something The Spinoff will always be passionate about.
We have adapted each year as the media landscape has shifted, meaning the weighting of our work (between reporting and commentary, serious and humour) is always evolving. That’s the blessing and curse of being a small(er) publication. The other blessing is knowing that when you’re small, the different ways to grow and evolve are endless.
As a writer and then editor, I have seen the Spinoff audience grow and grow, and been lucky enough to see the generosity of our readers every time we’ve evolved. I don’t think any reader base in New Zealand cares more about the work that they support than Spinoff members and readers. And now I’m looking forward to joining them.
For the first time in its history, The Spinoff is publicly recruiting for the role of editor. The search has begun for someone to bring their vision, experience and sensibilities to lead the exceptional editorial team here.
If you think you’re the person for the job, apply here.
