Matthew who? Wellingtonians ready to see what The Post's new editor Hooton will bring

Former adviser to National and ACT Matthew Hooton is The Post's newly appointed editor.

Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

Reaction to The Post's newly appointed editor ranges from "inspired" to "shocked", with the overall position "wait and see".

But from those on the streets of Wellington the most common response has been 'Matthew who?'.

Former adviser to National and ACT Matthew Hooton - who has not worked as a journalist - was announced as the new editor by the daily publication and co-owned national news website Stuff on Monday.

Hooton told Stuff reporter Lloyd Burr he was planning to put his connections to use and hoped powerful institutions were "unsettled by the appointment".

Stuff owner Sinead Boucher told Burr that Hooton was approached about a month ago and played down the potential that his connections could raise conflict of interest concerns.

RNZ has approached Hooton, with Stuff saying it would wait until he was in the chair before scheduling interviews.

Stuff owner Sinead Boucher.

Photo: RNZ/Nick Monro

When RNZ asked for Wellingtonian's thoughts on the streets of the capital on Monday, they were told about Hooton's weekly column in the NZ Herald and history as a former political advisor.

One woman described the appointment as "cool" and "a wonderful thing" because Hooton's former political work aligned with her own political connections.

Her walking partner, however had "absolutely no idea" what was being discussed.

Although believing The Post had shut down few years ago, a dogwalker remarked, "God, so the news is political now?

"I think there's certain things that should stay out of journalism, in general - one of them is religion and the other is politics."

However, another man believed as long as both sides of the political spectrum were represented in the news he didn't see an issue.

"I don't have a gut dislike, but a little bit of journalism experience before becoming an editor is probably a useful thing to have."

The Stuff building in Ponsonby.

Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi

Near The Customhouse on Wellington's waterfront, one woman said there appeared to be a risk of political bias and found the appointment of someone with no experience as a journalist "interesting".

"I don't know what it takes to be an editor, but I imagine having some on-the-ground experience would be part of it."

But another woman in Midland Park said she understood how some journalists might feel "a bit miffed" but said life experience could count for more than work experience.

"If he's worked in similar fields that could help build towards his role I wouldn't have an issue with it whatsoever."

RNZ also approached a range of high-profile Wellingtonians from across business, hospitality, arts and politics for their thoughts on the paper's decision to appoint Hooton as editor.

Most declined to comment.

Wellington mayor Andrew Little congratulated Hooton but wouldn't go any further, citing the media's role in scrutinising public organisations and figures.

Wellington mayor Andrew Little.

Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Vision for Wellington member and regional councillor Simon Woolf described the move by Boucher as "inspired".

"Firstly, I was surprised and then I was rapt. I think Matthew's done the yards, he understands New Zealand and particularly he understands Wellington."

Woolf said Hooton wasn't afraid to push the boundaries and had copped backlash for some of his more contentious columns.

"I think he's an inspired choice, I think the fourth estate needs editors like the likes of Matthew who will be brave and courageous."

He said he first met Hooton in former National Party prime minister Jim Bolger's office and didn't believe Hooton's political history was an issue in his new role.

"He actually has held across the political spectrum, and in business, people to be accountable. He is investigative and inquiring and he's really brave - so I don't have a problem.

"Optics are not sometimes the reality. We'll wait and see what happens, but the type of person Matthew is ... could help Wellington progress."

Vision for Wellington member and regional councillor Simon Woolf.

Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Wellington Central MP and Green Party member Tamatha Paul said she hoped to retain her good relationship with The Post under new editorial leadership.

"I think The Post does a really good job of holding people to account, all politicians from all parties and I just hope that that fairness continues."

She said Hooton's political connections were in the public domain and the paper appointed him to the editor role with that knowledge.

"I definitely don't want to go burning bridges on day one of his appointment because at the end of the day I need The Post to help me get my stories out there.

"In an ideal world, it might be better to have editors who hadn't so clearly outed their political views, but who knows?

"Maybe Mr Hooton has changed his views since he directly advised some of those parties and hopefully, he'll be able to put those views aside so that people reading The Post get good information - impartial, fair, balanced information."

Wellington Central MP and Green Party member Tamatha Paul.

Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii

Potential 'sea change'

Massey University associate professor and head of journalism James Hollings said, like a lot of people, he was surprised by Hooton's appointment.

"Certainly, one on the shock-factor. Like a lot of journalists it's the wait-and-see how will this pan out."

Hollings believed Hooton had a "hill to climb" maintaining there was a wide gap between writing a column and standing up a news story and thought the new editor would get a "reality check" about journalists' work ethic.

"I think what he will bring to it [the editor role], is obviously political connections and hopefully stories. If he knows stuff that's going on and he can help his journalists get those stories over the line, that'd be great.

"It could be quite a sea change for journalism and political journalism in New Zealand."

He warned that Wellingtonians were politically savvy and Hooton would have to work hard to ensure no political bias crept in but dismissed the idea of a conflict of interest.

Dr James Hollings

Photo: Unknown

"Everyone comes with baggage you know, and it's the question of leaving it behind when it matters on the story.

"It's alright for him to have opinions in his editorials, go for it, no one cares about that. But if he keeps writing right-wing editorials in The Post, he's not going to have readers for much longer ... not in those electorates."

Hollings said there was precedent for having an outsider at the helm of the capital's daily newspaper, citing Geoff Baylis as "one of the greats" and hoped Hooton would prove to be the same - however Hollings said he'd have to move to Wellington.

"Is he going to live in Auckland and edit from there? I mean that would be nuts."

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