Sunday Star-Times: A History of New Zealand's Sunday Journalism
The Sunday Star-Times stands as a prominent fixture in the New Zealand media landscape, designed to provide readers with an entertaining weekend experience. By blending hard news and deep-dive features with celebrity gossip, the publication has carved out a specific niche in the country's press history.
The Evolution of the Publication
The Sunday Star-Times was officially established in March 1994. Its creation was the result of a merger between two existing publications: The Sunday Star and The Dominion Sunday Times.
The lineage of The Dominion Sunday Times is particularly complex, characterized by frequent rebranding. Launched in 1965, the paper underwent several name changes over three decades:
- Sunday Times (1976–1981)
- New Zealand Times (1981–1986)
- New Zealand Sunday Times (1986–1987)
- The Dominion Sunday Times (1987–1992)
- Sunday Times (1992–1994)
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Editorial Leadership and Contributors
Over the years, the paper has been guided by several key editors. Jenny Wheeler led the publication for six and a half years, followed by Cate Brett, who served from 2003 until 2008 before joining the New Zealand Law Commission. In 2008, Australian Mitchell Murphy took over the editorship; he later transitioned to publisher for Fairfax Sundays in 2010 and executive director of publishing in 2012.
Following Murphy's promotion, David Kemeys was appointed editor in May 2010. Later, Jonathan Milne held the editorial position from 2014 until June 2019.
The publication has relied on a stable of regular contributors, including Rosemary McLeod, Michael Laws, and Finlay MacDonald. The paper's magazine section also featured Steve Braunias as a regular columnist, though his tenure ended in early 2011 following the exchange of abusive emails with Claire Stewart, a police prosecutor from Gisborne.
Format Changes and Modernization
For much of its history, the Sunday Star-Times was published as a broadsheet (a large-format newspaper). However, on October 21, 2018, the paper transitioned to a tabloid format (a smaller, more compact page size). This change followed a broader trend within Stuff, which had converted its nine daily newspapers to the tabloid format in April of that same year.
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Controversies and Legal Challenges
The publication has faced significant scrutiny regarding its reporting. In 2004, the Sunday Star-Times published a front-page story, co-authored by Nicky Hager, alleging that the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service was spying on members of the newly formed Māori Party.
These claims were later investigated by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security. In April 2005, the government inquiry rejected the allegations, finding them to be unsubstantiated. Consequently, the Sunday Star-Times was required to publish a front-page apology to its readers.
Key Facts
- Founded: March 1994 via merger.
- Predecessors: The Dominion Sunday Times and The Sunday Star.
- Format Shift: Changed from broadsheet to tabloid on October 21, 2018.
- Content Focus: A mix of news, features, and celebrity gossip.
- Major Controversy: Published unsubstantiated claims about the Māori Party in 2004.
| Year/Period | Event/Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1965 | Launch of The Dominion Sunday Times |
| March 1994 | Formation of Sunday Star-Times |
| 2003–2008 | Editorship of Cate Brett |
| 2004–2005 | Māori Party spying claims and subsequent apology |
| 2014–2019 | Editorship of Jonathan Milne |
| October 2018 | Transition to tabloid format |
Frequently Asked Questions
How was the Sunday Star-Times created?
The newspaper was established in March 1994 through the merger of The Sunday Star and The Dominion Sunday Times.
When did the paper change its physical size?
The Sunday Star-Times switched from a broadsheet to a tabloid format on October 21, 2018, following a similar move by Stuff's daily newspapers.
Who were some of the notable editors of the publication?
Notable editors include Jenny Wheeler, Cate Brett, Mitchell Murphy, David Kemeys, and Jonathan Milne.
What happened regarding the 2004 Māori Party story?
The paper claimed the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service was spying on the Māori Party. A government inquiry found these claims unsubstantiated in 2005, leading the paper to issue a front-page apology.
What is the general editorial focus of the Sunday Star-Times?
The publication focuses on providing an entertaining Sunday read that combines news and features with celebrity gossip.