Manawatu Standard Editor Appointed

One of the country's most experienced newsroom managers has been appointed Editor of the Manawatu Standard.

Bernadette Courtney has been appointed to replace Paul Taggart who left the paper recently to take up a promotion as Managing Editor - Production for the Standard's publisher, Fairfax Media.

Bernadette is currently Assistant Editor of The Dominion Post and has a journalism career spanning 25 years in the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

Bernadette began her reporting career working for several London newspapers and the national paper the Sunday Mirror, was Deputy Group Editor for Reed Regional Newspapers in Surrey before emigrating. She became Chief Reporter of The Dominion in 1998 and then The Dominion Post before her current role.

Her decade in newsroom management and leading a strong reporting team has seen the papers break many exclusive, agenda-setting stories, locally and nationally. She has also been a key figure in editorial training and developing young journalists.

As a member of The Dominion Post senior management team Bernadette has also taken the lead role in the paper's massive strides in developing its masthead website and in promoting the paper to readers.

Fairfax Media Executive Editor Paul Thompson said the appointment panel was impressed with Bernadette's energy, enthusiasm and vision for the Manawatu Standard.

"Bernadette brings a wealth of newspaper experience to the role and is a talented leader.

"She is well equipped to lead the team at the Standard and make sure the award-winning newspaper continues to champion the interests of its community."

Manawatu Standard General Manager Craig Nash welcomed the appointment of such an experienced and motivated journalist to enhance what is an already powerful news gathering team.

"Bernadette will continue the great progress initiated by Paul Taggart and continued by Michael Cummings who has covered the role very successfully in the meantime. I look forward to Bernadette and Michael leading our team with passion and professionalism."

Bernadette, who is in the closing stages of completing a Fairfax leadership development course at Auckland University, said she was excited by the role and looking forward to her start on November 24.

"I'm looking forward to joining what is a very talented and motivated team," she said.


For more information, contact Paul Thompson, 04-496-9815 or 029-201-3426 or Craig Nash (06) 350-9839 or (021) 356-499.