News


Editor: Shenagh Gleeson

If you've got news, we'd like to hear about it.

You can either call Shenagh on 07 866 0001
or email her at news@peninsulapost.co.nz.

How to get your news published

Call into the office or call or email Shenagh


You need to tell us about your event and why we should be interested. It helps if there's something a little bit special about the event you can mention. For instance, if you have a celebrity attending, schools or community groups involved, someone special on the organising committee, or the event is something unusual, innovative or heart warming.

Make the most of it by telling the local press!

It's a good idea to have a media release ready to send to the journalist to support your phone call. The simpler you make the job for the journalist the more chance you have of being successful.

How to write a media release


The aim of a media release is to attract a journalist's attention and make them want to cover your story. This means you need a catchy introduction, with a good news angle, eg something unusual or a human interest story. If you have a good photo opportunity, mention it. Journalists love photos!

Whatever focus you choose for your story, you must remember to cover the basics. Your media release must always say what is happening, why, when, where it's happening and who is involved. Be sure your press release is interesting and newsworthy - if it reads like an advertisement it's likely to go straight into the bin.

Some general rules:

  • Keep it brief and to the point, no more than one A4 page, formatted with type that is at least 11 point and spaced so that it is easy to read.
  • Write a single line headline that encapsulates what your release is about – don’t spend too much time on it because we normally write our own headings.
  • Use short sentences.
  • Order your information so that you start with the most important paragraphs at the top with the least important at the bottom.
  • Journalists like quotes that add colour - quote yourself if there is no-one else. If you quote someone, ask their permission first.
  • Include contact details, ie your name, daytime phone number (including mobile phone if you're not always by your landline) and email address.
  • Check and recheck all the details, spelling and grammar. Make sure the date, time, and venue of your event are correct.
  • Follow up your media release with a phone call.

Tip us off

It’s not always necessary to write a press release. You can just call and tip us off about something that’s happening. We will need to know your name and phone number and we won’t follow-up anonymous phone messages or emails. We are trained journalists and you can tell us information in confidence that we will not reveal to other people.

Sports news


If you would like to send us sports copy, please click here.




If you have any news items they are welcome. Please contact us at the details at the bottom of this page