Geographic launched

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 267, 13 December 1988, Page 6

Geographic launched

New Zealand Geographic was launched in Wellington last Tuesday.

The 128-page quarterly magazine is being hailed by John Wood's of Ruapehu Publishers, as a "celebration of New Zealand and New Zealanders." "New Zealand Geographic's mission is to advance geographical knowledge and stimulate a positive interest in New Zealanders, their history, wildlife and environment," he says. The cover story in the first issue is about life on Campbell Island. Other stories include Goat Island Marine Reserve, the wild horses of the Kaimanawas, Fiordland's Kepler track, Graeme Dingle's toughest journey and making of glass. Mr Woods says producing a magazine of New Zealand Geographic's quality in a depressed economic climate has required perseverance and a remarkable team effort. "The response from advertisers and their agencies has been fantastic," he says. "We've completely sold out all available space and if everyone exercises their options to continue advertising,

we'll be sold out until 1990. "We've all had to work like crazy to meet the first deadline but we know the magazine is well founded and are confident it has a bright future." Editor Kennedy Warne says that putting the first issue together has been his toughest assignment. "We've had to break new ground. A magazine project of this type has not been tried in New Zealand before but what is encouraging is the number o f top-quality writers and photographers who've offered to contribute." Mr Warne says the magazine will have a major educational role, assisting schools by publishing well-re-searched, well-illus-trated articles of the highest quality. To maintain editorial balance and assist New Zealand Geographic's long-term development, two advisory boards of experts are being established, drawing on the professional skills and experience of leading New Zealanders.