About Us

Crux is owned by Crux Publishing Ltd.

We are a growing team based in Queenstown, Wānaka and Cromwell. Our site reaches up to 10,000 readers every day and is the leading source of online news in the district.

A key part of our mission is to contribute to the development of community public interest journalism, as well as finding innovative solutions to community issues.

The Crux team, left to right. Debbie Knowles, Nikki McKay, Lauren Pattemore, Kim Bowden and Peter Newport.

Managing Editor - Peter Newport

Peter worked for the Otago Daily Times, Radio New Zealand and TVNZ before working in Australia for Channels 9 and 10. He then went on to be the European Correspondent and Bureau Chief for Channel 9 in London before joining ITV News as their Far East Producer in Hong Kong. Peter then worked for BBC TV News in London as their Deputy News Editor before becoming a documentary producer with the Discovery Channel.  Peter returned to work in NZ with Mediaworks as a producer on their current affairs programme 3rd Degree before moving to Queenstown as RNZ's Otago Southland reporter. Email Peter.

Kim Bowden - News Editor

Kim is a talented journalist and editor who graduated from Auckland University with a BA and then a post graduate diploma in journalism from AUT. She's worked in parliament and then with the Southland Times and Newstalk ZB. Kim is based in Cromwell. Email Kim.

Lauren Pattemore - Journalist

Lauren joins Crux from Stuff where she was working after graduating in February from NZ's longest established journalism school at Massey University. Lauren topped her classes there and was the successful applicant for our recently advertised junior reporter role. Email Lauren.

Nikki McKay - Community Bulletin Editor

Local residents will recognise Nikki from her many years with the Wānaka Sun where she built up a formidable following both in print and on social media. In her new role with Crux, Nikki will be curating a new, larger Community Bulletin section that will feature everything you want to know in Queenstown, Cromwell and Wānaka in terms of local events, community news, charities, school news and sport. You can reach Nikki on her new Crux email here.

Debbie Knowles - Sales Manager

Debbie has lived and worked in the United Kingdom and Queenstown. She brings a wealth of digital sales experience to Crux and Debbie's a huge hit with our local businesses. Just reach out with any questions about how Crux can help your business, project or organisation make a real local impact in a cost effective and targeted package. Plus we have special deals for charities and not for profits. You can reach Debbie at [email protected] and on 027 308 2121. 

What is Crux?
Crux is a community-funded website that delivers action and issues-focussed public interest journalism to the Southern Lakes region.

What does the Crux brand mean?
We selected and trademarked the Crux brand name because it represents getting to the heart of the matter and also is the name of the Southern Cross constellation.

Why is it important now?
We need some form of quality journalism to document, explain and act on the complex issues that face our region. Journalism has been funded by advertising in the past but, thanks to Google and Facebook, that model is terminally broken. We are at a crunch point in our community’s development - low wages, expensive housing, explosive growth and many people leaving because they cannot afford to stay here. Good quality community journalism can help fix these critical issues. 

What are we committed to?
Quality journalism. Pure and simple. Balanced, fair and accurate. And, if necessary, long! Our community can’t be distilled into click-bait or an external template. We will listen, question, research, compare and explain. If a story takes weeks or months - then that’s what we will commit to. We’ll welcome comments and act on them. We are politically neutral - but committed to equal opportunity in all aspects of society. We’ll be courageous and respectful.