Hagley Community College
Journalist Kairīpoata Pepa
Journalists research and produce stories for websites, print, radio, television and other media.
Journalists may do some or all of the following:
- find and collect news about local or international events and issues
- research and write stories
- interview people and record interviews
- shoot and edit photographs and videos
- present stories on radio or television.
Physical Requirements
Radio and television journalists need to have clear voices.
Useful Experience
Useful experience for journalists includes:
- all types of writing experience
- radio, television or video work
- work involving interviewing people.
Personal Qualities
Journalists need to be:
- enquiring, curious, persistent and patient, with excellent communication skills
- confident and motivated
- good at relationship management
- accurate
- able to accept criticism
- good at time management
- able to work well under pressure.
Skills
Journalists need to have:
- excellent interviewing and reporting skills
- excellent writing skills
- general knowledge of local, national and international affairs
- in-depth knowledge of the area they are covering or specialising in
- research skills
- social and communication skills
- knowledge of media ethics and law
- photography and videography skills.
Conditions
Journalists:
- often work shifts, including early mornings, evenings, weekends and public holidays
- work in newsrooms and offices, and on location
- work in conditions that may be stressful due to deadlines, or distressing if reporting unpleasant events
- may need to work outside in all weather conditions
- may travel locally, nationally and internationally to cover stories.
Subject Recommendations
A tertiary entrance qualification is required to enter further training. Useful subjects include te reo Māori, English, media studies, design and visual communication, digital technologies, and languages.
Journalists can earn around $48K-$100K per year.
Pay for journalists varies depending on their position, the hours they work, their experience and the type of media they work in.
- Most journalists earn between $48,000 and $100,000 a year.
- Senior investigative journalists working in broadcasting can earn more than this.
Journalists may receive allowances for working after hours.
Sources: Massey University, 'Worlds of Journalism Study 2.0. Journalists in Aotearoa/New Zealand,' October 2022; and Seek, 2023.
Journalists may progress to become editors or chief reporters. Many journalists move into communications or public relations roles.
Journalists may specialise in:
- broadcasting, including radio or television work
- print media, including working for newspapers or magazines
- web journalism, including audio and video work.
Years Of Training
1-3 years of training usually required.To become a journalist you usually need to have a relevant tertiary qualification such as a Bachelor of Communication or a New Zealand Diploma in Journalism.
A driver's licence is usually required.
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