Journalists – Open Justice

YOUR NEXT OPPORTUNITY:

We are looking for talented and passionate Multimedia Journalists to join NZME's successful Open Justice - Te Pātiti team.

An open and transparent legal system is one of the hallmarks of a well-functioning democracy. As a court reporter, you become the public's eyes and ears, playing a vital role in shining a light on the judicial process.

We have a specialised team of ringfenced Open Justice reporters based throughout the country. We now have several vacancies and are looking to base people in Tauranga and Hawke’s Bay - but we’re flexible on people working from our other locations such as Whanganui, Gisborne or Palmerston North.

HOW YOU'LL MAKE AN IMPACT:

As part of the Open Justice team, you'll produce impactful multimedia content for NZME's extensive digital and print platforms, including the New Zealand Herald, Newstalk ZB, and regional mastheads. Your work will also feature on Radio New Zealand, Top South Media, Whakaata Māori, and Allied Media through our content partnerships.

You'll cover a mix of stories for multiple news cycles - shorter daily stories (including breaking news and coverage of hearings), features and long-term investigations. The key responsibilities include:

• Covering a full range of courts and tribunals: Civil and criminal; employment and environment; human rights and immigration, and many more.

• Producing agenda-setting journalism that explains the "why" as much as the "what".

• Holding lawmakers to account.

• Championing the rights of everyone involved in the system.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING TO THE TEAM:

• You'll have a Journalism qualification and at least 2+ years of newsroom experience, ideally with a background in court reporting.

• You'll hold a track record in identifying stories of significant public interest and telling them in an engaging and innovative way.

• You'll have a good working knowledge of ever-evolving legal issues and the ability to converse with experts in a complex field. Training will also be provided in this area, but a knowledge of media law and the rules around court reporting is preferred.

• You'll be able to develop contacts, navigate the complexities of gathering information from the judicial system and be confident arguing for reporting rights in a courtroom environment.

• While basic knowledge of audio and video editing techniques would be an advantage, training is available.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU:

NZME is committed to the ongoing development of journalists working in this specialised area. We're particularly passionate about devolving knowledge and skills to regional hubs.

NZME provides a safe, inclusive, and diverse working environment. We are committed to developing our understanding of the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and embedding them in all aspects of our work.

You'll enjoy a range of benefits including complimentary NZ Herald Premium, VIVA Premium and BusinessDesk subscriptions, wellbeing support and counselling services, professional development opportunities, recognition programmes, exclusive staff discounts, and access to tickets through NZME's event network.

LOCATION AND CONTRACT:

Our primary vacancies are based in Tauranga and Hawke's Bay. That said, we're open to candidates based in Gisborne, Palmerston North, or Whanganui — so if that's you, we'd still love to hear from you.

This is a fixed term contract ending December 2027. However the contract may be renewed or extended if NZ on Air funding continues.

WORKING RIGHTS:

All applicants will be asked about their working rights in New Zealand. Examples include citizen, resident, visa holder, or requiring visa sponsorship.