Martyn 'Bomber' Bradbury Wintec's new editor-in-residence

Martyn ‘Bomber’ Bradbury is Wintec’s newly appointed Wintec editor-in-residence. 

A noted political blogger and self-described media junkie, Mr Bradbury has already leapt into his role as mentor and advisor to Wintec’s current crop of journalism and communication students.

Wintec’s Head of School of Media Arts, Margi Moore said Mr Bradbury could be seen as an unusual selection for editor-in-residence but his experience in the alternative New Zealand media scene has given him a unique view of the industry.

“He’ll be able to provide students with a perspective from a less mainstream point of view,” says Mrs Moore.

Mr Bradbury started his career in Auckland student magazine Craccum, eventually working his way up to editor. He certainly made a name for himself at the magazine and will be remembered for being held for questioning by the police after writing a satirical piece on the construction of nuclear bombs. 

He has hosted a night show on radio station Channel Z, was an executive producer on television network AltTV and editor of music magazine Rip It Up. He currently hosts two news shows on Stratos TV, runs the blog Tumeke along with Tim Selwyn, and freelances for Radio New Zealand from time to time.

Mr Bradbury, who prefers to be referred to as Bomber, started his term at Wintec last week by addressing a group of students about the media and giving them tips on how to survive in a rapidly changing industry. His initial advice to the students was get a blog going, print some business cards, and “jump into the industry” with both feet.

He also shared his prediction that social media will become the most important tool in the journalist’s kit.  He said this year social media will boom, especially with the upcoming election, and he urged the students to get onto every form of social media to get involved in the political debate.

“You have power through the internet to influence mainstream opinion. You should be using it to provide information and a different viewpoint for readers.”

As part of Mr Bradbury’s post he will be organising Wintec’s very popular seminar series Media Bites.  This series hosts a number of media personalities from around New Zealand. Mr Bradbury decided to apply for the editor-in-residence post, previously held by Steve Braunias, after hearing about the opportunity at a Media Bites event held last year.