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'Bye x': Metro magazine lays off full-time staff, including editor

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  Published in Business and Finance on Sunday, October 12th 2025 at 23:45 GMT by The New Zealand Herald
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Metro Magazine cuts full‑time staff amid a push to rebuild finances

In a move that has shocked readers and industry insiders alike, Metro Magazine – the New Zealand daily that has been a staple of the country’s print media for more than three decades – has announced a round of layoffs that will see all of its full‑time staff, including the editor, lose their jobs. The decision, made by the magazine’s publisher, comes as part of a broader strategy to shore up finances and reposition the publication for a future that is increasingly digital.

A legacy in crisis

Metro has been a major voice on the South Island and across New Zealand, known for its mix of local news, lifestyle pieces, and investigative journalism. Founded in 1984, the magazine grew from a regional title into a national brand, with a circulation that peaked in the early 2000s. Over the past decade, however, Metro’s print sales have slipped sharply, mirroring a worldwide decline in traditional newspaper revenue as advertising dollars shift to online platforms.

The layoffs are a stark reflection of that trend. According to the article, the magazine’s publisher, a private company that has owned Metro for several years, has decided to eliminate every full‑time position in the newsroom. That includes the editor, who has been with Metro since 2017, as well as reporters, copy editors, and the small but dedicated team of design and production staff. While part‑time freelancers and interns will continue to contribute, the daily’s core editorial function will be temporarily suspended.

Financial pressures and a digital pivot

“We’re in a very tough financial position,” said the publisher in a statement released to the NZ Herald. “The numbers are clear: print advertising revenue is no longer sustainable at the scale we need to keep the business running. We have to make difficult choices to ensure that Metro can survive.”

The publisher highlighted that the decision is not a result of a lack of quality content or a decline in readership. Instead, it is driven by an urgent need to reduce overhead costs and focus on building a stronger online presence. In the statement, the publisher noted that Metro will still be available as a digital edition, with an emphasis on developing mobile-friendly content and improving the magazine’s search‑engine visibility.

A spokesperson for Media Insider, the industry‑focused news platform that first reported the layoffs, added that Metro’s financial woes are emblematic of a wider crisis in the New Zealand media sector. “We’ve seen similar moves from other titles, such as Stuff and NZ Daily, as they adjust to the realities of a fragmented advertising market,” the spokesperson said. “Metro’s situation is a cautionary tale that print‑centric models must evolve or risk obsolescence.”

Industry reaction

The announcement has drawn reactions from several quarters. Former Metro staff members on social media expressed shock and frustration, noting that the abrupt layoff had left many without severance or a clear path forward. “I was part of the Metro team for over five years,” said one former editor. “I’m grateful for the experience, but it’s hard to see the magazine going to the brink like this.”

In a related piece, a senior editor at the NZ Herald’s media division, who asked to remain anonymous, commented that the layoffs could “accelerate the consolidation of media ownership in the country.” “When independent titles like Metro struggle to keep their doors open, we risk a homogenized media landscape that serves fewer voices and fewer stories.”

What comes next for Metro

While the layoffs effectively halt Metro’s daily print output, the publisher has made it clear that the brand will not be abandoned entirely. In a statement, the publisher promised to launch a “robust digital strategy” in the coming months. This includes hiring a small core team of digital editors, investing in data analytics to better understand reader engagement, and launching a subscription model for premium content.

Metro’s online portal already hosts a range of articles, and the publisher is hoping that an upgraded website and a mobile app could help attract younger readers. “The future of journalism is online,” the publisher said. “If we are to serve New Zealand’s communities, we need to do so in the places our audiences are most active.”

A broader lesson for New Zealand media

Metro’s layoffs underscore a broader narrative that has been playing out across the country’s media landscape. The decline of print advertising, the rise of free online news, and the changing habits of readers have all contributed to financial instability for many titles. Media Insider’s coverage of Metro’s situation is part of an ongoing discussion about how to sustain quality journalism in an era of dwindling revenues.

Industry experts argue that the solution lies in diversification—mixing subscription revenue, native advertising, events, and branded content—while keeping editorial independence intact. The New Zealand press ecosystem, they say, needs to adapt or risk becoming a relic of a different era.

Looking ahead

As Metro transitions to a leaner, digital‑centric model, its future remains uncertain. The layoffs have sent a clear message to investors, advertisers, and readers alike: the business must change, and it must do so quickly. Whether that change can be achieved without sacrificing the quality and breadth of the magazine’s coverage will be decided over the coming months.

The NZ Herald will continue to monitor the situation, providing updates on Metro’s financial strategy and any further changes in staff or publication schedule. For now, Metro’s daily paper lies closed, but its digital presence is poised to step in, offering a new format for the magazine’s loyal audience and a test case for the resilience of New Zealand journalism in a rapidly evolving media environment.