Explore careers

Useful experience for journalists includes:

• all types of writing experience
• radio, television or video work
• work involving interviewing people.

Journalists may do some or all of the following:

• find and collect news about local or international events and issues
• research and write stories
• interview people and record interviews 
• shoot and edit photographs and videos
• present stories on radio or television.

The small size of New Zealand's broadcasting industry  means low demand for television and radio journalists.

 According to the Census, 1,197 print journalists, 219 radio journalists, and 219 television journalists worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Opportunities are best for experienced journalists.

More journalist opportunities for graduates of courses that include work placement

If you are starting out as a journalist, your chances of getting a job are strongest if you:

• have completed a Bachelor’s degree, diploma, graduate certificate or postgraduate diploma in journalism, public relations or communications, and your course included work placements
• approach employers directly
• develop relationships with other journalists and industry contacts
• write for free to start with, and build up a portfolio of work
• look for work at smaller regional and community newspapers, where staff turnover is higher.

Small range of employers

Journalists work for:

• online news sites
• newspaper and magazine publishing businesses
• radio networks
• television networks and production companies.

Journalism Education Association of New Zealand

www.jeanz.org.nz

Journalists may progress to become editors or chief reporters. Many journalists move into communications or public relations roles.

• Editor job information
• Communications professional job information

Journalists may specialise in:

• broadcasting, including radio or television work
• print media, including working for newspapers or magazines
• web journalism, including audio and video work.

Journalists need to be:

• enquiring, curious, persistent and patient, with excellent communication skills
• confident and motivated
• good at relationship management
• accurate
• able to accept criticism
• good at time management
• able to work well under pressure.