How are you enjoying your role as Editor for Avenues Magazine?
I am really enjoying this role. Thankfully, I get to exercise many different skills while gaining new ones with each issue we release. It's a diverse role where no two days are the same.
What excites you most about Avenues Magazine? And on the other hand, what are the biggest challenges you have faced in this role?
I get really excited by connecting with people. Through this role, I have met fascinating individuals with equally fascinating stories to tell. This fills me with energy. At the same time, the role is not without its challenges. Ask any creative, and they'll tell you that releasing their work out into the public is the biggest challenge. It trumps tight deadlines and negative feedback. You're definitely your own worst critic.
We see you are also involved in a few other areas of work in the creative industry. Tell us about these.
While still at university, a couple of friends and I created a magazine called Yo Vocal. We aimed to cover areas we thought deserved more focus. These included, but were not limited to, local musicians, artists, adventure athletes, fringe social discourse, minority communities, and often quite wacky stories. This became a published magazine, and we've created four issues so far. After graduating with a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism, I found myself looking to apply these skills in areas that I had an interest in. This led me to become a freelancer and contractor, working with various PR firms, marketing agencies, and eventually establishing myself as a sole trader producing copy, social media content, ads, articles, and web copy. Through this freelance work, I came to work for Avenues, originally as a sub-editor and feature writer. As an aside, I review comedy, theatre, and other arts for a collective called Backstage Christchurch. I review film, television, and music for Avenues.
What was the highlight of working on the CANTA magazine team while at UC?
I was involved with CANTA in various capacities, starting early in my undergraduate years writing content, often with a political angle. This led me to run for Editor at UCPOLS, which meant I had a regular column within CANTA. In later years, I sub-edited CANTA, eventually returning following graduation to work as the Print Editor. My role was to curate the print content for CANTA and work alongside the Managing Editor, Liam Donnelly. The highlight of working with CANTA definitely came during the period where I was Print Editor. For our 'Kids Issue,' I connected with Suzy Cato, who became a semi-regular fixture, and we remain friends – probably the coolest number I have in my contact list. Comedian Corner was also a great segment, focusing on up-and-coming comedians.
What led you to study at UC?
The short answer is, I followed my friends. The long answer is, I was actually really impressed by the skills and competency of the Political Science team, which was my undergraduate major, and I had heard great things about the reputation of this small but world-class team – particularly Professor Bronwyn Hayward and Professor Alex Tan.
Any other fond memories of your time at UC that you’d like to share?
I have the fondest memories of my time at UC. On the academic side of things, I must return to Bronwyn Hayward. Her course on local democracy was excellent, and we actually went on field trips! I made some of my best friends in this course. I must also speak very highly of the Media and Comms team, notably Professor Donald Matheson. I also made lifelong friends in these courses, and I learned some invaluable lessons. The PG DIP in Journalism is also a fantastic course. I think the strong focus on ethics set these graduates apart from others in the industry. Another great team behind this. UC, during my time, had an unmatched student life. I was heavily involved in the club scene, notably UCPOLS – which I led to win Supreme Small Club. I also have the greatest memories of The Foundry (in the temporary building, of course) and MONO – may it rest in peace. To finish with a cliché, UC really was my second home. For goodness' sake, I spent quite some time there! I loved all of it.
