For the first time in 30 years the Guardian has a new owner, but it remains in local hands.
Andrew and Sarah Board have bought the Motueka and Golden Bay Guardian from its founder Gary Haymes, effective of this week.
Andrew and Sarah, who live in the Tasman District, own Top South Media which also publishes the Nelson Weekly, Waimea Weekly, Marlborough Weekly, Nelson Magazine, Nelson App and Top South Farming, among others.
Gary will continue to work at the Guardian as Advertising Manager and the majority of the staff will stay on, giving the paper continuity for advertisers and readers.
Andrew says it’s an exciting time for the paper.
“I’ve been involved in newspapers since 2007 and worked as a journalist on the Waimea Weekly and the Motueka Golden Bay News, before launching the Nelson Weekly in 2010.
“The Guardian has always been a great community paper and we hope to continue that tradition and even add to it.”
Gary printed the first edition of the Guardian in late 1993, since then it has covered the community every week helping to keep the region informed and connected.
He says it’s come a long way from those early days.
“I remember waxing up the pages on a Saturday night each week and then driving the waxed pages to the bus depot in Nelson where they would go to the Marlborough Express to be printed.
“Sometimes a headline may have moved on the page during the trip and we’d get the paper back with a missed headline or photo,” he laughs.
Gary has seen the change from film cameras to digital and desktop publishing that has made the production process much easier.
“The first digital camera I bought cost me $10,000, it was a brick and took horrible photos. The following year the same camera cost $3000 but it did make life easier.”
The Guardian will continue to operate from its Wallace St premises with all production still done locally.
Episode 12 - The threat of urban sprawl and bringing vibrancy back to the city. — The Nelson Pod
“While I’m not going anywhere,” says Gary. “I want to say a huge thanks to all the advertisers and readers of the Guardian over the past 30-odd years. I can’t believe how fast it’s gone but really happy to still be working here, I love working in newspapers and working in this community.”
If you have any news tips for the Guardian’s reporters or if you’d like to advertise your business, please get in touch.
You can call us on 528 2088 or email reporter@guardianmotueka.co.nz
