We work hard to get things right. When we don't, we'll own it and fix it. This page explains how we handle mistakes and the standards we hold ourselves to.
How We Handle Corrections
When we get a fact wrong, we correct it promptly. We add a dated correction note at the foot of the story saying what was changed, for example: "Correction, [date]: An earlier version of this story gave the wrong date for the meeting. It is on Tuesday, not Wednesday."
We don't quietly change facts and hope nobody notices. If a correction matters, you'll see it.
Minor fixes, like a typo or a broken link, may be made without a note, as long as they don't change the meaning of the story.
Spotted A Mistake?
Tell us. Email [email protected] with a link to the story and what you think is wrong, or use our Contact Us page. If you can point us to a source, even better. We'll check it and get back to you.
Our Editorial Standards
We check the source. Before we report a council decision, we read the original documents, such as agendas and minutes on icc.govt.nz. We check which committee made the call, whether it was a vote or just a recommendation, and whether full council still has to approve it.
Quotes are word for word. We don't tidy up, trim or rewrite what people say inside quote marks. And we never put quote marks around reported speech. If we're paraphrasing, it reads as paraphrase.
Names, numbers and dates get checked. These are the details that matter most to readers, and the easiest to get wrong, so we check them twice.
We say where information comes from. Whether it's a media release, a council report, a police statement or a person we spoke to, we attribute it.
We're open about AI. Some stories are prepared from media releases and public sources with AI assistance. A human sets the editorial standard, and every story is checked against the original source before publication, with quotes kept exactly as they were given. These stories run under News Desk or Mike Sanford.
No paywall. Our news is free to read for everyone.
Independence From Advertisers And Sponsors
Advertisers and sponsors keep the lights on, and we're grateful for them. But sponsorship doesn't buy coverage, and it doesn't buy favourable coverage either. Our editorial decisions are ours. Paid content will be clearly labelled.
Funeral And Death Notices
We know these notices reach families at a hard time. We publish them with care, check names and details closely, and fix any error as soon as we're told. If something needs changing, email [email protected].
Right Of Reply
If you or your organisation is criticised in one of our stories, you'll get a fair chance to respond. Where we can, we'll ask for comment before publishing. If you've missed that chance, contact us and we'll consider adding your response to the story or running a follow-up.
Questions?
If you have a question or a concern about anything we've published, email [email protected].