The Press is a daily newspaper and news website based in Christchurch, in the South Island of New Zealand. Our journalism is an essential source for news and information about Ōtautahi Christchurch and the wider South Island Te Waipounamu. Fiercely independent and proudly Mainland, we are determined, resilient and committed to our role as a watchdog of the powerful since 1861. Every day we champion the people, places and culture of our part of the world.
Our main newsroom is in Christchurch city, with journalists spread across the South Island.
This team of journalists covers a broad range of topics affecting the South Island including news, sport, business, property and lifestyle. We place particular focus on Christchurch, a city emerging from its earthquake rebuild as newly confident, innovative and active. Our watchdog journalism keeps a check on our political leaders, uncovers wrongdoing in the private sector, and keenly watches the impact of human activity on our rural and urban environments. The Press also delights in shining a light on the beauty of the South Island’s great outdoors and the successes of our region. The Press editor is Kamala Hayman, the newspaper’s 19th editor.
Our journalism adheres to the principles of the New Zealand Media Council and our own internal standards set out in our Editorial Code of Practice and Ethics. We work in the public interest, independent from political or corporate influence. We seek to represent New Zealand’s diverse communities and interests and are non-partisan.
History
The Press was founded in 1861 by James Fitzgerald and in 1995 launched NZ’s first online news website press.co.nz.
The Press has been an integral part of Christchurch from shortly after its inception as NZ’s first official city in 1856, through the Depression, two world wars, the devastation of the 2011 earthquakes, and the city’s rebuild and renaissance. The earthquakes killed 185 people on February 22, 2011, and destroyed The Press’ heritage building in Cathedral Square. Knowing the public’s need for accurate information and the stories of our community had never been greater, a national effort was put into ensuring The Press newspaper was published and delivered to subscribers the following day.
Tragedy struck again in 2019, when 51 people were killed at two city’s mosques. Our reporters were among the first to report from the scene providing reliable, accurate information throughout the unfolding crisis.
The Press remains in the heart of the Christchurch CBD, a stone’s throw from Cathedral Square, Tūranga central library and Te Pae convention centre.
The Press: 158 Gloucester St, Private Bag 4722,
Christchurch 8140,
reporters@press.co.nz,
letters@press.co.nz.
or call us on 03 379 0940 (option 6).
