Media Insider: Former National Party staffer Matthew Hooton appointed editor-in-chief of Post and Sunday Star-Times

Former National Party political strategist and operative, scholar and academic, and NZ Herald columnist Matthew Hooton has been appointed editor-in-chief of Stuff-owned Wellington newspaper and website the Post and weekend newspaper the Sunday Star-Times.

In a move described on Stuff’s own website today as a “bombshell”, Hooton replaces Tracy Watkins, who is becoming the director of communications at BusinessNZ.

Other highly placed media and political sources reacted with shock and incredulity. “What the f***?” said two sources, in separate conversations.

In a press statement, Stuff described Hooton as “New Zealand’s most experienced, exciting and intellectually-engaged political and business commentator”.

Hooton, who is not trained as a journalist, himself said in the statement: “Some may see this as a bold appointment ... ”

He is a former Young Nat who has worked for the party under the leaderships of Jim Bolger, Don Brash and Todd Muller in various roles; he is also a former adviser for Act.

Hooton was an outspoken advocate for the National Party caucus to replace Simon Bridges with Muller in 2020, a leadership spill that ultimately ended painfully and dismally for Muller and the party.

Approached for comment on Hooton’s appointment today, Bridges said: “Outstanding.”

He later added: “Political reporting needs a bit of a shake-up. It’s got a little staid and predictable. Whatever anyone thinks of Matthew, he’ll bring some higher-order thinking which New Zealand badly needs.”

Luxon criticism

More recently, Hooton has not held back in his Herald columns from criticising the style and leadership of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon – amongst occasional praise, as well.

As well as his centre-right commentary, Hooton has been no fan of the public service in Wellington, or its own council.

He told The Working Group weekly political podcast in 2022: “Wellington is a complete basket case. It’s filled with absolute imbeciles and losers who run the Government departments. Then you’ve got a whole lot of people who vote for Jacinda Ardern. So it’s got absolute imbeciles.

“And on that council in Wellington, it’s dominated by these flaky woke, ludicrous Green, left-wing virtue-signalling clowns and so Wellington has the city it deserves. Obviously, I wish even more harm upon it; I hope they continue to vote the way they do.”

Stuff said Hooton – who is a doctor of philosophy and has spent much of the last 14 months out of New Zealand as a visiting associate professor at the National University of Mongolia in Ulaanbaatar – would take the editorship later this month.

“Few people understand power in New Zealand as well as Matthew does,” Stuff owner Sinead Boucher said.

“He has lived and breathed political strategy and spin for most of his career, and he knows institutional self-interest better than most. He is also hugely well respected in business circles for his rigorous analysis of the issues facing the country.”

She said Stuff wanted an editor with energy, curiosity, urgency and a deep sense of what matters to New Zealand.

“Matthew is someone who uniquely embodies those qualities, and he has a clear understanding of the critical role independent journalism plays in the national conversation.”

Hooton has been approached for comment.

In the same statement, he said he was excited.

“Editors need to make difficult and unpopular decisions, withstand pressure, defend journalists, take risks and publish work powerful people dislike,” he said.

“Some may see this as a bold appointment, and I’m well aware that it comes with ongoing scrutiny.”

He told Stuff’s Lloyd Burr: “I’d hope that the powerful institutions of New Zealand – whether that’s the government, the opposition, union bosses, business leaders, sports administrators or arts administrators – are a little unsettled by the appointment.”

Boucher told Burr that Hooton had been approached through a mutual friend a month ago. “He really understands what the role of an editor is, as very different from the role of being a columnist. We have a really strong code of ethics and conduct that’s core to everything we do and Matthew absolutely understands that and is committed to it,” she said.

‘Good luck ... he’s going to need it’

The Post’s newspaper will soon be printed in the South Island - its print plant is moving location from Petone in Wellington after more than 35 years, after businessman and outspoken Stuff critic Troy Bowker acquired the building.

“Good luck to Hooton as editor,” Bowker told Media Insider today.

“He’s going to need it – trying to (literally) sell yesterday’s news and relying on the ferry, which is notoriously unreliable.”

What’s your view? Have your say – email shayne.currie@nzme.co.nz

The Post’s business, economics and political editor, Luke Malpass, moves into the associate editor role.

With the changes, Hooton will no longer be a Herald columnist.

According to his website – in which he outlines his skills and background as a strategic consultant – Hooton has “extensive experience in the banking, telecommunications, agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, heavy manufacturing, ports, electricity, professional services, arts and Māori-economy sectors”.

“He is well connected with the most senior figures in all three parties in New Zealand’s centre-right National-Act-NZ First Coalition Government and with the Opposition Labour Party. He advised Wayne Brown’s successful campaign and transition to become Mayor of Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city by far,” says the website.

“Matthew worked with every Australian bank; New Zealand’s largest company, the Rank Group; Rio Tinto; major East Asian ports; and the largest and most commercially successful Māori tribes. He assisted with regulatory matters for Zespri and the creation of 2degrees.

“From 2000-2002, he was part of the project team which achieved government, parliamentary, shareholder and public support for the creation of Fonterra, New Zealand’s second-largest company.

“Matthew’s early career was as a press secretary and speechwriter in New Zealand’s reformist Bolger Government in the 1990s, working in the education, agriculture, forestry and international trade portfolios.”

Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie is one of New Zealand’s most experienced senior journalists and media leaders. He has held executive and senior editorial roles at NZME including Managing Editor, NZ Herald Editor and Herald on Sunday Editor and has a small shareholding in NZME.