Hello from Northland Age new editor Myjanne Jensen

Myjanne Jensen: I can promise you an equal sum of passion and commitment to ensuring all voices are heard.

COMMENT

Kō Ngāpuhi te iwi.

Nō Otangaroa ōku tūpuna.

Kei te noho au ki Hihi.

Kō Myjanne Jensen tōku ingoa.

Tēna koutou, tēna koutou, tēna koutou katoa.

Kia ora everyone, my name is Myjanne (pronounced "My-Anna") Jensen and I am your new editor.

It's an extraordinary honour and privilege to be stepping into this role, particularly following on from the legacy my predecessor, Peter Jackson, has created before me.

Peter's career was one of epic proportions and something most journalists could only ever dream of, myself included.

I have huge respect and admiration for Peter and know he will forever remain one of the Far North's most valued and cherished assets.

In my first editorial I wanted to formally introduce myself and to tell you a bit about who I am.

I also thought it would be a good opportunity to invite you to write in and tell me your ideas around what you might like to see in this next chapter of the paper's evolution.

I am a first-generation Australian, born and raised in Brisbane to a Danish father and Maori-Pākehā mother.

I am married to Jade (Ngāti Porou/Ngāti Tama/Ngāti Kahungunu) and have four beautiful little girls, Audrey, 8, Minnie-Jane, 5, and twins Maggie and Moana, 3.

Before moving to Te Hiku (and in addition to my time in Australia), I have lived in Denmark and Japan and therefore speak fluent Danish and conversational Japanese. My goal is to one day also become fluent in te reo Māori.

In terms of my journalism career, before coming to the Age, I worked as a public relations manager for Annah Stretton's digital marketing agency, Fish Digital. Prior to that, I spent more than 10 years working in the Australian media across radio, online and print.

My love of storytelling began as a small child when I would listen to my parents' stories about their respective childhoods growing up in Denmark and New Zealand.

Having parents with two completely different cultural backgrounds was a blessing in disguise, as it fostered a deep appreciation and insight into two very different worldviews.

It also taught me I had much to learn from both and that both were equally worthy and valuable.

I think the same goes for telling a story - it's always of utmost importance to ensure we as journalists include both/all sides of a story and, in turn, produce fair and balanced evaluations of a situation.

I know that was something Peter was famous for and, while I'm not audacious enough to presume I could ever scratch the surface of what he has achieved, I can promise you an equal sum of passion and commitment to ensuring all voices are heard.

I can also promise that local Far North content will always remain front and centre of everything I do.

I'm therefore very excited to start this new journey with you, our Northland Age readers, and hope you'll continue to enjoy and support your local rag.

I look forward to hearing your feedback regarding the future of the Age and please feel free to email me at: myjanne.jensen@nzme.co.nz with your thoughts.