Kim Gillespie, left, with Rotorua Daily Post General Manager David Mackenzie and Advertising Manager Janine Davy.
Kim Gillespie, left, with Rotorua Daily Post General Manager David Mackenzie and Advertising Manager Janine Davy.
It's been a blast.
This has been my last week as editor of the Rotorua Daily Post, a newspaper where I have worked for much of my career.
I was first hired by editor Robin Mayston in 1996, and have worked three separate stints here totalling more than 13 years,including the last five and a half at the helm.
I could throw a few cliches at you about how it's been challenging at times, though often rewarding, but really what I most want to share is that I've really enjoyed it.
Rotorua is my hometown. I was so lucky to get my first journalism job here, and over the years have managed each time to come back to the city after working elsewhere.
I've worked with some real characters and seen a lot of changes - not least our 2013 shift to morning compact format.
The team here do a fantastic job and I look forward to seeing the paper and its website continue to develop under new leadership.
There have been plenty of proud moments - our staff are among the most hard-working in the industry, our photographers consistently win awards, and not long ago the paper was named Newspaper of the Year at the international Panpa Awards.
It's a great privilege to be able to edit your hometown newspaper.
I've had the good fortune to talk to many of you about the paper and what we do, and I want to thank you for your feedback. We are nothing without our readers.
In these changing times your local paper is still your best link to the rest of the community.
