Write Letters to the Editor

Before Facebook, there was 'letters to the editor' and it's still an effective way to get your message out there. You'll raise awareness among readers, while politicians and their staff generally monitor the letters pages of newspapers and magazines. Even if not published, your letter could be instrumental in drawing the issue to the editor's attention.

Tips for writing letters to the editor (with thanks to First Union NZ)

• Editors prefer concise letters that respond to an article, editorial, or other letter
• Write and submit your letter as quickly as possible, preferably the same day that the article runs, so as to be published the next day or next issue
• Submit letters by e-mail whenever possible
• Your letter must stand on its own — not all readers will have seen the original story
• Open your letter with a strong statement that comments on an article, editorial, or other letter that appeared in the newspaper or magazine
• Be careful about accuracy and avoid personal attacks
• Keep your letter as short as possible by focusing on one, or at most two, major points. Support your position with facts, statistics, citations or other evidence. Aim for no more than 200 words
• Close with the thought you'd like readers to remember. Instead of focusing your attention at a reporter, editor, or expert who got it wrong, consider the central point you want people reading the letter to take away
• Ask someone to review your letter to be sure your writing is clear and you are getting your point across
• You must include your name, street address and phone number

For ammunition check out our Campaigns and the Reasons. And if you need more info contact us.

Email addresses for New Zealand newspaper editors

Whangarei - Northern Advocate editor@northernadvocate.co.nz
Auckland - New Zealand Herald letters@nzherald.co.nz
Hamilton - Waikato Times editor@waikatotimes.co.nz
Tauranga - Bay of Plenty Times editor@bopt.co.nz
Rotorua - Rotorua Daily Post editor@dailypost.co.nz
Gisborne - Gisborne Herald editorial@gisborneherald.co.nz
Hawkes Bay - Hawkes Bay Today editor@hbtoday.co.nz
Wanganui - Wanganui Chronicle letters@wanganuichronicle.co.nz
New Plymouth - Taranaki Daily News editor@tnl.co.nz
Palmerston North - Manawatu Standard editor@msl.co.nz
Wairarapa - Wairarapa Times Age editorial@times-age.co.nz
Wellington - Dominion Post letters@dompost.co.nz
Marlborough - Marlborough Express mailbox@marlexpress.co.nz
Nelson - Nelson Mail editor@nelsonmail.co.nz
Westport - Westport News editorial@westportnews.co.nz
Greymouth - Greymouth Evening Star editor@greystar.co.nz
Christchurch - The Press letters@press.co.nz
Ashburton - The Ashburton Guardian enquiries@theguardian.co.nz
Timaru - Timaru Herald editor@timaruherald.co.nz
Oamaru - Oamaru Mail news@oamarumail.co.nz
Dunedin - Otago Daily Times odt.editorial@alliedpress.co.nz
Invercargill - Southland Times letters@stl.co.nz

Email addresses for New Zealand magazine editors

Listener - letters@listener.co.nz
TV Guide - julie.eley@fairfaxmedia.co.nz
Metro - metro@bauermedia.co.nz
North and South - north&south@bauermedia.co.nz
Paperboy - paperboy@bauermedia.co.nz
NBR - dbridgeman@nbr.co.nz
NZ Woman's Weekly – nzww@bauermedia.co.nz
Mindfood - michael@mindfood.com
NZ Life and Leisure – editorial@nzlifeandleisure.co.nz
Idealog - editor@idealog.co.nz
Good - carolyn@good.net.nz

Facebook

You can always just post comments on Facebook pages too. It's easier but less effective..