Pankhurst retiring as Dom Post editor

The Dom Post reports its editor, Tim Pankhurst, is retiring:

Mr Pankhurst, 54, has been editor of The Dominion Post since shortly after its founding in 2002.

He previously edited The Evening Post, The Press and the Waikato Times.

His 14-year tenure running those four titles made him New Zealand’s longest-serving daily editor.

The Fairfax Media CEO said:

“His work on stories such as the Louise Nicholas investigation and The Dominion Post’s work last year on funding questions around NZ First have had a significant impact on New Zealand society. They are among the most significant newspaper investigations of the past 20 years and are testament to Tim’s skill and courage as an editor.

I agree, that his backing of staff such as Phil Kitchin, has been the newspaper at its finest. In the reporting of Donna Awatere-Huata, Lousie Nicholas and of course Winston, the Dom Post has had to endure masses of legal threats, but refused to back down.

Pankurst has a new job CEO of the Newspaper Publishers’ Association:

In his new role – which he will take up in mid-April – he will represent the newspaper industry, and manage the New Zealand Press Association (NZPA) and the National Advertising Bureau (NAB).

I have to say this is aa good move. Pankhurst has been one of the braver media people when it comes to issues of free speech. His publishing of the Danish Mohammed cartoons had even the PM trying to heavy him. And he even managed to get away with publishing details of the Urewera 17 case.