Media in New Zealand is underfunded, despite the critical role it plays in democracy. As much as it sucks, it’s industry standard to overwork and underpay journalists. What’s worse, in an age of instant communication, there’s often pressure to work at an unsustainable pace. The clock stops, but the news cycle doesn’t. Sometimes everything in your life feels like it could be turned into content to write about.
For us, pumping out issue after issue every week is hard work, and it’s difficult not to get whiplash from how fast the turnaround is between sending an issue off to print and finalising the content in the next issue. But the job is also rewarding in its own ways. Student magazines occupy an important place in Aotearoa’s media landscape; this is a place to push boundaries, a collaborative space with fewer hierarchies—we’re all still students after all.
So, we appreciate hearing from all of you—whether that’s through the internet or comments in person—it’s great to know that there are actually people out there who read Craccum. Knowing there are people on the other side of this makes our jobs feel a bit better, even if we are underfunded and overworked. And to those who come and contribute to our little mag on the regular, we appreciate you the most. Where would we be without you?
If you want to write but aren’t sure how—well, that’s what we’re here for. Simply send us a message or flick us an email, and we’ll help bring your article to life. Got a tip about some injustice? We’re here to listen and back you up when all else fails. A weekly publishing schedule means we do work fast and cover breaking news, but there’s room for feedback and development: a luxury not often afforded in the wider industry.
And, of course, our mag wouldn’t be half as good without all the gorgeous artwork that our wonderful visual arts contributors make for us. As a way of thanking them and supporting their work, we’ve made some limited edition Craccum stickers for sale (only $2 each! Available at the QR code)—the profits will go directly to the artists that helped bring our Sustainability and Pride issues to life!
XOXO
Arohanui
Flora Xie (she/her) and Naomii Seah (she/they).
Letters to the Editor
Hi to whom I may be emailing,
I hope all is well, I am emailing because I am a student at UoA who reads your magazines every time they come out and I thoroughly enjoy them. However, this recent magazine I really loved and I just wanted to send a positive email about how awesome it was. I really enjoyed ‘Six Years an Undergrad’, it was a great article and I related to it in some ways, which was really awesome. I also really enjoyed all the horoscopes and crosswords. Thank you for an amazing magazine. I can’t wait for the next magazine.
—Kind regards, Siobhan M.
Thanks guys the sports column was a great read. American football is also starting up soon I’m sure that would have some good content. Or talk about punishments for fantasy football there’s always some funny stories there.
—Concerned Marine Science Student
Have thoughts you want to share with us? Send your own Letters to the Editor at editor@craccum.co.nz!
