Stuff has appointed political commentator Matthew Hooton as editor of The Post, a move that places a prominent voice in New Zealand politics at the helm of its dedicated NZ political news outlet. The appointment, announced by Stuff, makes Hooton the new The Post editor and signals a clear change in leadership for the brand.

Appointment details

Stuff confirmed Hooton’s appointment to lead The Post and described the role as “editor of The Post”, formalising his shift from commentary into newsroom leadership. The Post sits within the Stuff NZ network and focuses on New Zealand politics, policy and political reporting.

Hooton is well known in New Zealand politics as a political commentator NZ audiences have followed across media platforms. That profile brings visibility, but also raises questions about how a familiar political voice will manage a newsroom with expectations of balance and rigour.

What it means for Stuff NZ

The appointment gives Stuff NZ a high-profile figure to sharpen its political coverage, at a time when media organisations are competing for trust, influence and subscription value. It also places extra weight on The Post’s credibility, as perceptions of editorial independence become central to audience confidence.

In a media environment where political news is tightly scrutinised, this editor appointment ties The Post’s future direction to a recognisable public figure, underscoring the broader tension between profile and impartiality in New Zealand journalism.