Auckland Council magazine under threat with Bauer closure

Monday, 13 April 2020

Auckland Council's monthly magazine to households has an uncertain future following the sudden closure of publisher Bauer Media.

Our Auckland was delivered to homes and businesses across the region, but after its 100th edition, has been hit by the double-whammy of Covid-19 restrictions on delivery, and the end of Bauer which produced it.

The council contracted out the publication to Bauer at the end of 2018, paying the publisher $935,000 to create articles and allowing it to find paid-advertising for 11 issues a year.

The German-based family-owned Bauer announced in early April it was closing immediately it's New Zealand operation, with long-standing titles such as The Listener and Woman's Weekly.

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'Our Auckland' was Bauer's last pure Auckland publication, following the axing of the print version of Metro magazine, and the giveaway 'Paperboy' which failed to get traction.

'Production of the magazine has been on hold since Level 4 restrictions for magazine distribution were confirmed on 27 March. This is because delivery of OurAuckland, like community newspapers and weekly magazines, is not considered an essential service,' said the council in a statement.

'Once the current restrictions are lifted, we will look carefully at options for the future of the magazine.'

The council said its contribution to the Bauer deal had been the equivalent of $1.70 per property per year.

The publication which carried council information and Bauer-produced articles, was part of the council $13 million communication budget.