Archive for February 4th, 2009

Hot on the heals of the sale of Marketplace to Fairfax, the Waiheke Week has sold to, wait for it, Liz Waters and Gulf News. I have always thought of the Waiheke Week as a lightweight right wing rag that appeals to the “recent arrivals” on Waiheke. Its scant regard for Waiheke history has been  judged by many as deplorable. The esteem in which it was held by many was evidenced by the names it was known as. I have heard it referred to as  “The Waiheke Wank” ” The Waiheke Fascist”  and my favourite “The White Pages”

So what is going to become of the Waiheke Week? Well apparently it is going to become the “Waiheke Weekend” I am not sure that this will be the saviour of “The Gulf News” as more is not necessarily better. It appears, as an outsider, that the departure of Simon Johnston has heralded a new era of difficulty in dealing with Gulf News. When one is involved in Waiheke community initiatives aimed at Waiheke Islanders you tend to feel a sense of loyalty to Waiheke owned businesses but the Marketplace is being more supportive of us.

One final question, does this agreement mean that Liz Waters doesn’t report on a particular drink driving case?