The Tauranga Times adheres to a comprehensive set of editorial standards and ethical guidelines. These principles govern the operation of our newsroom and define the expectations for all journalists and editors employed by our publication.
Our objective is to provide accurate, fair, and independent news reporting to the residents of Tauranga and the wider Bay of Plenty region.
These standards ensure the integrity of our journalism and maintain public trust in the information we disseminate.
Accuracy is fundamental to all reporting at the Tauranga Times. Our journalists are required to verify all facts, figures, and statements before publication.
Multiple independent sources are sought to corroborate information, especially for sensitive or contentious topics.
Direct quotes are transcribed precisely, and attributions are clearly stated.
When claims cannot be independently verified, this limitation is noted within the published article.
We confirm the authenticity of all visual and audio materials used in our reporting.
Tauranga Times reports on all subjects with impartiality and fairness. We present different perspectives on issues without bias.
Individuals or organizations who are the subject of criticism or allegations are given a reasonable opportunity to respond before publication.
This right of reply is a core component of our commitment to balanced reporting.
Our editorial team ensures that reporting avoids stereotypes, prejudice, and sensationalism.
Tauranga Times operates with complete editorial independence. While Scholastica Media owns and operates our publication, editorial decisions are made solely by our journalists and editors.
Commercial interests, advertisers, or political affiliations do not influence our news coverage or editorial stances.
News content is separate from advertising. Any sponsored content is clearly labeled as such, distinguishing it from independent journalism.
Our journalists do not participate in political activities or campaigns that could compromise their impartiality.
The Tauranga Times is committed to correcting factual errors promptly and transparently.
If an error is identified after publication, our editorial team investigates the claim immediately.
Confirmed inaccuracies are corrected online and, where appropriate, a correction notice is appended to the article.
Our full corrections policy, detailing the process for submitting correction requests, is available on our website.
Readers can review the complete policy at taurangatimes.co.nz/corrections.
Protecting the identity of confidential sources is an ethical cornerstone of our journalism.
Journalists will maintain the anonymity of sources who have been promised confidentiality, except in extreme circumstances as required by law.
The decision to grant anonymity is made carefully by experienced journalists and reviewed by editors.
Information from anonymous sources is cross-referenced with other verified data whenever possible.
All Tauranga Times journalists and editors are expected to declare any potential conflicts of interest.
This includes financial interests, personal relationships, or allegiances that could compromise the impartiality of their reporting.
When a conflict of interest is identified, the individual will be recused from covering the affected story or topic.
Transparency regarding potential conflicts ensures the integrity of our news gathering and presentation.
Tauranga Times utilizes technology, including artificial intelligence tools, to enhance aspects of our news production process.
These tools may assist with transcription, data analysis, or content summarization.
However, all editorial judgment, verification, and final writing remain the responsibility of our human journalists and editors.
AI is never used to generate news stories or factual content autonomously without human oversight and verification.
The use of AI is confined to assisting our editorial team, not replacing their critical role in reporting.
The Tauranga Times welcomes feedback from our readers regarding our content and practices.
If you believe an article contains factual inaccuracies, breaches ethical standards, or if you wish to provide other feedback, please contact us directly.
All complaints are reviewed by our editorial team.
Correspondence can be sent via email to the Editor at editor@taurangatimes.co.nz.
We commit to addressing concerns professionally and in a timely manner.