At Waterford Press, our reputation is built on over 30 years of trust, integrity, and a genuine commitment to the New Zealand business community. This policy outlines the standards and principles that guide our editorial content across all our print publications and digital platforms.
1. Our Mission
Our core mission is simple: Your Business is our News. We exist to tell the authentic stories of New Zealand businesses—from primary industries and infrastructure to local innovation and family-run enterprises. We aim to inform, inspire, and connect the business community through high-quality storytelling.
2. Independence and Integrity
Waterford Press is proudly independent.
- No Agendas: We do not align ourselves with political agendas or mainstream media narratives. Our focus is strictly on the business owners and communities we serve.
- Objectivity: We approach every story with an open mind, aiming to reflect the reality of the business environment—the challenges, the “hard yakka,” and the successes.
3. The Human Element: Our Stance on AI
We believe that unique Kiwi stories deserve to be told by real people with genuine curiosity.
- Zero AI Writing: We do not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Large Language Models (LLMs) to generate, write, or produce our editorial articles.
- We are dedicated to the written word. Our content is created by human journalists who conduct interviews, and understand the nuance of the New Zealand vernacular.
- Authenticity: We prioritize the human connection in our storytelling, believing that algorithms cannot capture the heart and soul of a business.
4. Commercial Partnership & Transparency
We view our readership and our advertising clients as part of the same ecosystem.
- A Symbiotic Relationship: We openly acknowledge that successful marketing fuels business growth. We are proud to work with feature holders and advertisers to extend their reach.
- Championing Success: While we maintain editorial standards, our goal is to champion the success of our clients. We look for the positive angle that highlights contribution to the local and national economy.
- Clarity: We ensure that our distribution networks—both physical and digital—serve the commercial interests of the businesses featured in our pages.
5. Scope of Coverage
We are committed to representing the full spectrum of the New Zealand economy.
- Regional Focus: We value regional stories as much as national ones. We have “boots on the ground” in Christchurch, Queenstown, and throughout the regions to ensure local voices are heard.
- Inclusivity: We cover entities of all sizes, from sole traders and start-ups to major corporates and public institutions.
6. Accuracy and Verification
- Fact-Checking: Our editorial team is committed to accuracy. We verify facts and quotes with our sources to ensure the information we publish is correct and fair.
- Right of Reply: We believe in fair representation and maintaining open lines of communication with the subjects of our stories.
- Client Responsibility: We rely on our clients and subjects to provide accurate information and to review proofs thoroughly. We accept no liability for errors or omissions where incorrect information was supplied, or where corrections were not communicated to us prior to publication deadlines.
7. Ethics and Sensitivity
We conduct our reporting with a duty of care, ensuring our content is respectful and responsible.
- Minimizing Harm: We avoid causing gratuitous harm or offense in our reporting. We focus on constructive storytelling rather than sensationalism.
- Privacy: We respect the privacy of individuals. While we profile businesses, we are mindful of the personal lives and boundaries of the people behind them.
- Respectful Language: We use language that is professional, respectful, and inclusive. We avoid stereotypes and discriminatory language.
- Duty of Care: We exercise specific care when dealing with vulnerable groups or sensitive topics, ensuring our approach is compassionate and ethical.
- Editorial Discretion: We reserve the right to publish or decline to publish any content at our sole discretion. We retain full editorial control to determine what is fit for publication in alignment with our standards, values, and the best interests of our community.
This policy is subject to review to ensure it continues to reflect the values of Waterford Press and the needs of the New Zealand business community.
