Opportunities for newspaper and magazine editors are limited, but a small number of vacancies arise each year due to retirements, promotions and resignations, or when new magazines or newspapers are launched.

According to Census figures, about 1,600 people were employed as editors in 2006, up from 1,251 in 2001. However, readership of print publications is slowly declining, so any further growth is unlikely. Also, many editor positions are part time.

Magazine publishing a volatile industry 

The increase in editors between 2001 and 2006 was driven by the number of magazines published rising from 600 to 900. However, the recession has seen some magazine companies go out of business since 2008 because of reduced advertising and falling circulations.

While the newspaper industry tends to be relatively stable, magazine publishing is more volatile because of constant activity, with magazines being launched, relaunched, retired, merged, bought or sold.

Internet news websites not big employers

Many newspapers and magazines also operate websites, but only a few of these websites employ a separate, independent editor. Most of the people who edit the content of websites are sub-editors, rather than editors.

Editors work for newspaper and magazine publishing companies or owners. These businesses can range in size from small companies with as few as three staff, to large metropolitan newspapers employing hundreds of people.

Two companies dominate the New Zealand market – Fairfax NZ Ltd and APN News and Media. Fairfax Media owns:

• nine daily newspapers
• two Sunday newspapers
• the Stuff news and information website
• more than 50 community newspaper titles and 16 magazines.

APN News and Media owns:

• Auckland's only daily newspaper and its associated website
• a weekly Sunday newspaper
• nine other daily newspapers outside Auckland
• more than 20 high-profile magazine titles.

Other employers include:

• privately-owned companies
• specialist publishing companies
• owner-operators.

Newspaper editors work throughout the country, but most magazine editors are based in Auckland.