Good Local heads south

Good Local Media – the company which publishes The News – has added another masthead to its portfolio.

David Mackenzie

Owner David Mackenzie announced this week he had purchased the King Country News, which had been part of the Beacon Media Group based in Whakatane.

In November he extended the company’s footprint north by buying the Waikato Business News.

Mackenzie said the King Country publication was a natural new sister operation to the Te Awamutu News and Cambridge News and it would continue to drive local news and issues.

He was “delighted” to have the King Country News and all its staff as part of Good Local Media.

“The King Country News has been publishing for over 110 years and is respected and well read in Te Kuiti and Ōtorohanga,” he said.

The King Country News – formerly known as Waitomo News – also produces the King Country Farmer, a website and app.

“King Country News will continue to serve these communities alongside Te Awamutu News and Cambridge News, with no cross over of distribution,” Mackenzie said. “No other media has this reach and readership across the Waipā and King Country regions.”

Good Local Media brings a raft of experience to the King Country News.

Advertising and commercial activities will be led by advertising director Janine Davy.

“We have customers who have business interests in Te Kuiti and Ōtorohanga so by adding the King Country News we are able to provide great advertising solutions assisting them with their marketing needs,” Mackenzie said.

Good Local’s editorial is headed by Roy Pilott and includes highly experienced journalists Viv Posselt and Mary Anne Gill.

“We see a strong future for community newspapers, and will continue to stand up and be voice for our communities we serve,” Mackenzie said.