New editor prepares for 'exciting year' | Hawkes Bay News | Local News in Hawkes Bay

The chief reporter of the country's largest newspaper, The New Zealand Herald, will be the next editor of Hawke's Bay Today, APN's largest regional daily newspaper in New Zealand.

Andrew Austin, 44, will take up his new position on March 14, one week before the paper switches to morning delivery.

He will replace Antony Phillips who recently accepted an executive role in Sydney with Australian Associated Press.

NZ Regionals chief operating officer Rick Neville said the appointment of Mr Austin reflected the high esteem in which Hawke's Bay Today was held in the newspaper industry.

"Andrew is one of the editorial leaders of New Zealand's largest and most successful daily newspaper. It says a lot for the reputation of Hawke's Bay Today that he is leaving such a respected publication to join our Hawke's Bay team."

Mr Austin said Hawke's Bay Today was highly regarded as a newspaper at the heart of its community.

"My intention in taking up the editorship as we move to morning delivery is to maintain our proud reputation as the No1 source of news and opinion in the region.

"It is going to be a very exciting year for Hawke's Bay Today and for me personally," he said.

General manager Russell Broughton said Hawke's Bay Today had made great strides in recent years and Mr Austin would continue improving the newspaper and its website.

"The appointment of such a high-calibre journalist as editor should leave our readers and advertisers in no doubt that APN values Hawke's Bay Today highly," he said.

Mr Austin, who is married with three children, was appointed chief reporter of The New Zealand Herald in 2006, leading a team of more than 20 reporters.

Joining APN in 2002, he has held a number of senior roles including deputy editor of the leading news website nzherald.co.nz. He had previously worked as a senior reporter for the Independent Business Weekly.

His earlier experience in a 25-year journalism career includes secondment to the Financial Times newspaper in London and roles with a number of South African newspapers including Business Day in Johannesburg, Daily Dispatch in East London and Natal Mercury in Durban.