Faster, greener, more accessible
The Hauraki Coromandel Post will transition to a fully digital publishing model from January 12, 2026, ending production of its printed edition and focusing exclusively on its online platform, HCPost.news.
The move follows careful consideration and extensive feedback from both advertisers and readers, reflecting changing attitudes toward the value and future of print advertising and the way local communities now consume news.
Publisher Jim Birchall said a combination of practical, environmental and audience-focused factors has driven the decision. These include a growing shift toward a paper-less environment, significant paper wastage from copies left unread, issues with theft and inconsistent delivery, and print, production and distribution costs.
At the same time, consumer behaviour has continued to evolve, with more people accessing news in real time through their phones and social media rather than waiting for a printed newspaper.
A point of difference
The digital platform currently attracts around 20,000 website views each week, while the Post’s Facebook presence saw more than one million people view stories and video content during the second half of 2025 alone.
Birchall said the aim is to build a fast, reliable and locally focused digital hub that delivers:
- Breaking news as it happens
- In-depth community stories
- Weather and traffic updates
- A single, easy-to-use destination for Coromandel, Hauraki and Western BOP news
The move also opens the door to expanded coverage, with no space constraints and the ability to update stories instantly as events unfold.
New opportunities for local advertisers
The shift to digital-only publishing is also being positioned as a major opportunity for local advertisers.
By focusing entirely on HCPost.news and social media channels, advertising can be placed faster, refreshed more often, and seen repeatedly — rather than appearing once in a traditional newspaper cycle.
Digital advertising packages will include banner advertising with click-throughs to business websites, public notices and classifieds, social media promotion, advertorial and feature content, and inclusion in weekly email newsletters highlighting top local stories.
Publishers say the removal of print production costs allows these packages to be offered at significant savings, in many cases up to 50 per cent cheaper than print advertising, while delivering higher and more measurable reach and engagement.
In addition, new advertising options are being developed through local podcast and digital radio initiatives, giving businesses access to on-demand audio audiences across the Coromandel.
Meeting audiences where they are
While acknowledging that moving away from print represents a change in thinking for some readers and advertisers, Birchall said the decision reflects the reality that most customers now consume news and information digitally, often several times a day.
“Our focus is to ensure local businesses and community voices are seen where their customers already are — online, on social media, and on mobile devices — in formats people engage with, share and act on,” he said.
