Bethany Reitsma is a Lifestyle Writer for the New Zealand Herald.

As someone who grew up creating my own magazines filled with stories, made-up celebrity news, fashion tips and recipes, it’s no wonder I’ve ended up in the Lifestyle and Entertainment department at the Herald. I first joined the team fresh out of postgraduate study in 2019. Starting out in my career just as a global pandemic hit came with its challenges, to say the least, but it was also a fascinating time to be part of a newsroom. In my current role as a Lifestyle Writer, I get to help our readers take a break from all the bad news. My goal is to entertain, inspire, help people relax, laugh, or learn something new – and hopefully put a smile on someone’s face. I also love writing about coffee whenever I can.