Face of the Day

Former National Party political strategist and operative, scholar and academic, and NZ Herald columnist Matthew Hooton has been appointed editor-in-chief of Stuff-owned Wellington newspaper and website the Post and weekend newspaper the Sunday Star-Times.

In a move described on Stuff’s own website today as a “bombshell”, Hooton replaces Tracy Watkins, who is becoming the director of communications at Business NZ.

Other highly placed media and political sources reacted with shock and incredulity. “What the f***?” said two sources, in separate conversations.

In a press statement, Stuff described Hooton as “New Zealand’s most experienced, exciting and intellectually engaged political and business commentator.”

Hooton, who is not trained as a journalist, himself said in the statement: “Some may see this as a bold appointment...”

He is a former Young Nat who has worked for the party under the leaderships of Jim Bolger, Don Brash and Todd Muller in various roles; he is also a former adviser for ACT.

Hooton was an outspoken advocate for the National Party caucus to replace Simon Bridges with Muller in 2020, a leadership spill that ultimately ended painfully and dismally for Muller and the party.

NZ Herald