Editorial: Looking forward to new paper

It is not long to go before Hawke's Bay Today is relaunched in a new, easy-to-read compact format.

We are excited about the change and so will you be when you see what we have done. Very soon, we will be giving you a sneak peek of the new paper.

The big day is Monday, February 25, so be sure to get a copy of it.

A lot of work has gone into the change. International and national surveys show that people prefer the smaller paper and our sister paper, the New Zealand Herald, converted successfully in September last year. We will still be local, but we will be bold, fresh and modern.

There will be many changes, including our masthead and look, but we will still be the paper you have loved for the past 13 years. This will be your paper - we have asked you what you like about our paper and you have responded. For those of you who have not yet given us your views, there is still time. Please feel free to write to us at feedback@hbtoday.co.nz.

Last year was a year of much change for Hawke's Bay Today. The paper switched from being an afternoon paper to morning delivery and it also got a new editor - me.

Since I became editor, I have tried to build on the solid base created by my predecessor.

The paper has always been committed to providing readers with the best local content possible and I have tried to continue that.

We also wanted to give more in-depth analysis of local issues and also create a forum for local community, civic and business leaders to debate issues.

I believe we have done this with our Insight feature on a Saturday and our popular Monday and Wednesday write-ins.

We will continue to provide you with all you need to know.

We will tell you what is happening in your region, how it affects you and what you can do to make things better.

We will also brag about the good things Hawke's Bay and its people do. If you have an achievement that you would like us to report, please email us at news@hbtoday.co.nz.