Award-winning journalist to teach Wintec students as editor in residence
Award winning writer, Aimie Cronin, has been appointed as editor in residence within Wintec’s journalism department.
Cronin, who is now working as a freelance journalist, is well known to local audiences from her time with the Waikato Times, where her human interest stories became a feature of the weekend edition.
Cronin, whose ability was recognised with two Canon Media Awards for Feature Writing in 2013, will work with the students on a human interest publication, profiling Hamilton residents. The publication will be launched in November.
Cronin said she was looking forward to working with the next generation of journalists.
“I’ve already met them as a group, and was thoroughly impressed by their energy and eagerness. The project has loads of potential, and I love the fact it will have a real world outcome with a publication that Hamilton people will be proud to read,” she says.
Wintec’s head of journalism, Charles Riddle says: “Having an editor in residence is one of the ways we connect students with industry and we’re delighted to have someone of Aimie’s calibre mentoring our students.”
Wintec’s School of Media Arts’ team manager, Cate Prestidge says the department has produced some of New Zealand’s top student reporters.
“Our multi-disciplinary approach means we are well-prepared for the increasingly visual and web based media industry, and the fact that our students can learn from lecturers in design, photography and film as well as specialist communication areas is a massive bonus.”
Wintec’s former editor in residence and award winning writer and columnist, Steve Braunias, will continue to manage the popular Wintec Press Club lunches, which attract well-known media personalities.
“I think of Aimie as the most expressive writer in New Zealand journalism – she’s creative, witty, observant, and has genuine empathy for the people she writes about. The students, and Wintec, are lucky to have her on board,” says Braunias.
Cronin takes over the role of editor in residence later this month.
