The Future of Media In New Zealand

What does the future look like for media in New Zealand? Is there a future? What is the appropriate relationship with consumers, advertisers, big tech and the state? Is there a role for artificial intelligence? What does it mean for democracy? Join former Newshub journalist Paddy Gower, Sunday Star Times chief news director Craig Hoyle, and Crux managing editor Peter Newport as they discuss the issues. Chaired by festival trustee and Stuff Queenstown-based journalist Debbie Jamieson.

Paddy Gower is one of New Zealand's best-known journalists. He spent five years as Newshub's political editor, before becoming its national correspondent, and more recently he's been a documentary maker and host of Paddy Gower Has Issues. He won Best Presenter: News and Current Affairs at the 2023 New Zealand Television Awards.

Peter Newport launched Crux after a journalism career in NZ and overseas. He worked for the Otago Daily Times and TVNZ before joining Channels 9 and 10 in Sydney - then the BBC in London. He was the first journalist to be expelled from China after the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.

Craig Hoyle grew up in Invercargill within the New Zealand Exclusive Brethren. Separated from public society, he attended Brethren-only schooling and worked in his family’s tyre shop. After facing interrogation and conversion therapy for his sexuality, he was excommunicated from the Brethren and separated from his family in 2009. Today he is chief news director for the Sunday Star-Times. He has worked for newsrooms such as TV3 and RadioLive, and behind the scenes on current affairs shows including 60 Minutes. He lives in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Debbie Jamieson is a mother of teenagers, journalist and Queenstown Writers Festival trustee, purely as an excuse to indulge her passion for reading and enjoy the company of like-minded people. She is still dealing with her failed ambition to be a Solid Gold dancer.