Matthew Hooton expected to shake up The Post as new editor-in-chief

Monday, 15 June 2026

Matthew Hooten’s appointment as The Post’s new editor has raised eyebrows.

Former political strategist Matthew Hooton’s surprise appointment as the new editor-in-chief of national website and newspaper The Post has raised some eyebrows over his lack of a journalistic background, but few are concerned by his political past.

After being shoulder-tapped by Stuff Media owner Sinead Boucher, Hooton will step into the role to replace outgoing editor Tracy Watkins, despite having never worked as a journalist.

Hooton does have media experience as a long-time political and business columnist and commentator. He previously worked as a press secretary in the Bolger Government, a strategist for National under Don Brash’s leadership, an adviser for ACT, and as well as many other roles as a consultant to iwi, banks, and the public and private sectors.

Simon Bridges’ leaderhip of the National Party was criticised by Hooton.

Former National Party leader Simon Bridges, who was rolled from the job after criticism from voices including Hooton’s, saw Hooton’s appointment as positive.

“Political reporting needs a bit of a shake-up. It’s got a little staid and predictable,” Bridges said.

“Whatever anyone thinks of Matthew, he’ll bring some higher-order thinking which New Zealand badly needs.”

The Post editor Tracy Watkins will depart this month.

Media commentator and former NZ Herald editor-in-chief Gavin Ellis also expects Hooton to bring renewal and change.

He said Hooton would have two main challenges - combating claims of political bias, and learning the technical and editorial sides of his new job without a journalistic background.

“The move will be a good one if he can leave his past at the door. He can show that with his actions.

Media commentator Gavin Ellis believes Hooton will challenge staff to think outside the box.

“He’s going to have to be a fast learner, but he’s a very intelligent man. It’s going to make the team around him all the more important.”

Ellis said Hooton’s PhD in conservatism does not make him a conservative. He has a challenging personality, and would likely challenge staff to think outside the box, he said.

“He has been appointed to be controversial. The proof of the pudding will be in the paper.”

Wellington mayor Andrew Little said it was not appropriate to comment on The Post’s new editor.

Jim Tully, formerly a Canterbury University journalism tutor and adjunct associate professor at Massey University, said the appointment of someone with no journalism experience was ”highly surprising”.

“Many of us will watch with great interest to see if his editorial judgements are clouded by his strong political views.

“Good editors set the tone of a newsroom and one of their key roles is to lead and inspire the editorial team. We will know soon enough if he can do that effectively.”

Wellington Mayor Andrew Little, a former Labour Party leader, cabinet minister and union leader, congratulated Hooton on his new role, but declined to state an opinion on it.

“As it is a private matter between him and his new employer, and in light of the role media outlets have in providing scrutiny over public organisations and public officials, it is not appropriate for me to comment further,” said Little.

Wellington consultant and former Labour Party advisor John Pagani, who once debated Hooton in a regular RNZ radio slot, described his old adversary’s appointment as “brilliant”.

“Matthew is intellectually vibrant, and often frustratingly well informed. I expect he will challenge, but not suppress, ideas,” said Pagani.

“The capital’s morning daily needs to be the place where ideas get shaken up, and policy trade-offs and ideas get rehearsed.

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