{{Short description|News publishing company based in Dunedin, New Zealand}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Infobox company | name = Allied Media | logo = File:Allied Media, July 2025.png | logo_size = 200px | type = Holding company | location = Dunedin, New Zealand | key_people = Julian Smith (owner)<br />Grant McKenzie (CEO) | industry = Mass media | products = {{Hlist|Newspaper|Magazine|Digital}} | divisions = {{Unbulleted list|Star Media|}} | homepage = {{URL|https://alliedmedia.co.nz/}} }}
'''Allied Media''' (formerly '''Allied Press''') is an independent New Zealand media and publishing company based in Dunedin.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=31 July 2025 |title=Allied Press' evolution leads to rebrand as Allied Media |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/business/allied-press%E2%80%99-evolution-leads-rebrand-allied-media |access-date=30 July 2025 |work=Otago Daily Times |language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250730213708/https://www.odt.co.nz/business/allied-press%E2%80%99-evolution-leads-rebrand-allied-media|archive-date=30 July 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> The company's main asset is the ''Otago Daily Times'', New Zealand's oldest daily newspaper. Allied Press has a number of other daily and community newspapers and commercial printing operations throughout the South Island including the Canterbury–based media company Star Media. It also formerly operated Dunedin's regional television station, Channel 39. In July 2025, it began trading as Allied Media, combining both Allied Press and Star Media under one brand.<ref name=":0" />
==History== ===20th century=== thumb|upright|Julian Smith, Allied Press' chairman and management director. Allied Press was formed through the merger of two Dunedin newspaper companies, the ''Otago Daily Times'' (''ODT'') and the former Evening Star, on 13 May 1975. The merger process was completed during the rest of the year following shareholder approval and other required agreements. ''ODT'' staff subsequently shifted into the ''Evening Star''{{'s}} building. The ''Evening Star'' subsequently ceased operations on 3 November 1979 and was replaced by a weekly newspaper called ''The Star''.{{sfn|Palenski|2019|p=172-173}}<ref name="Our Story">{{cite web |title=Our Story: The history of Allied Media |url=https://alliedmedia.co.nz/our-story/ |publisher=Allied Media |access-date=24 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250824033355/https://alliedmedia.co.nz/our-story/ |archive-date=24 August 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> Hal Masters became the company's first chairman while the ''ODT'' manager Frank Dickson and Vic Cavanagh served as joint managing directors.{{sfn|Palenski|2019|p=149}}
In 1979, the Christchurch–based H.W. Smith and the tourism company Mount Cook Group attempted separate takeover bids of Allied Press by buying up shares. In response, the businessman Sir Julian Smith merged Allied Press with his company John M. Fraser and Co Ltd to form a new privately listed company called Otago Press and Produce Limited (OPP). OPP was active in egg and poultry distribution, fruit and producer markets, building supplies, and real estate.{{sfn|Palenski|2019|p=153-155}}<ref name="Our Story" /> The new company was led by chairman T.C. (Tom) Fraser and Deputy Chair Julian Smith, the former managing director of John M. Fraser and Co. In 1986, Smith purchased Otago Press and Produce, reestablishing Allied Press Ltd as a private business. Smith became Allied Press' principal shareholder, chairman and managing director while his brother Nick became a substantial shareholder, director and business manager.<ref name="Our Story" />
===21st century=== left|thumb|175px|Former logo of Allied Press until 2025.
In July 2015, Allied Press acquired ''The Oamaru Mail''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Future of South Island newspaper still uncertain |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/bites/282063/future-of-south-island-newspaper-still-uncertain |access-date=18 May 2021 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=21 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518104921/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/bites/282063/future-of-south-island-newspaper-still-uncertain |archive-date=18 May 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 12 June 2016, Julian Smith stepped down as managing director of Allied Press. Grant McKenzie, the Dunedin City Council's financial officer and the former director of the University of Otago's financial services, was appointed as the company's chief executive officer. While Smith remains the chairman of the company, McKenzie took over the running of Allied Press.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sir Julian stands down, McKenzie appointed CEO |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/business/sir-julian-stands-down-mckenzie-appointed-ceo |access-date=23 May 2021 |work=Otago Daily Times |date=12 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416081745/https://www.odt.co.nz/business/sir-julian-stands-down-mckenzie-appointed-ceo |archive-date=16 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
Besides the ''Otago Daily Times'', Allied Press acquired a majority stake in the ''Greymouth Evening Star'' in 1991, which it renamed the ''Greymouth Star'' in 2006.<ref name="Our Story" /> The company also owns a range of community and farming newspapers through the South Island including ''North Canterbury News'', the ''Ashburton Courier'', ''The Timaru Courier'', ''The Oamaru Mail'', ''Lakes District and Central Otago News'', ''Mountain Scene'', ''The Star'' and ''The Ensign''. In 2018, Allied Press acquired the ''Clutha Leader'' from Stuff.<ref name="NZ Media Ownership 2020">{{cite web |last1=Myllylahti a |first1=Merja |last2=Hope |first2=Wayne |title=New Zealand Media Ownership 2020 |url=https://www.aut.ac.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/473638/JMAD-2020-report.pdf |publisher=AUT research centre for Journalism, Media and Democracy (JMAD) |access-date=17 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228141112/https://www.aut.ac.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/473638/JMAD-2020-report.pdf |archive-date=28 February 2021 |date=7 December 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In August 2018, Allied Press acquired the Canterbury media company Star Media, which owned a stable of community newspapers, magazines, and events including the Christchurch–based ''The Star''. Star Media's chairman Nick Smith also served as Allied Press' director and had previously worked for ''The Star'' as their advertising cadet. Star Media subsequently became a subsidiary of Allied Press.<ref name="Ocean Partners">{{cite web |author1=Tim |title=Sale of Star Media to Allied Press |url=http://www.oceanpartners.co.nz/news/2018/8/21/sale-of-star-media-to-allied-media-group |publisher=Ocean Partners |access-date=10 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302084753/http://www.oceanpartners.co.nz/news/2018/8/21/sale-of-star-media-to-allied-media-group |archive-date=2 March 2021 |date=1 August 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="About Star Media">{{cite web |title=Star Media connects and engages with Christchurch, Canterbury and New Zealand audiences every day. |url=https://starmedia.kiwi/about-us/ |publisher=Star Media |access-date=10 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512213723/https://starmedia.kiwi/about-us/ |archive-date=12 May 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Our Story" />
During the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand, Allied Press maintained the print circulation of the ''Otago Daily Times'' as well as its websites but suspended the circulation of its community and farming newspapers on 25 March 2020 to comply with lockdown restrictions.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Quirey |first1=Bruce |title=From the editor |url=https://www.theensign.co.nz/community/from-the-editor/ |date=25 March 2020|access-date=18 May 2021 |work=The Ensign |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302060200/https://www.theensign.co.nz/community/from-the-editor/ |archive-date=2 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2020, Allied Press launched a major project to upgrade its Dunedin printing press.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunedin printing press controls upgrade |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dunedin-printing-press-controls-upgrade |access-date=23 May 2021 |work=Otago Daily Times |date=19 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523083119/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dunedin-printing-press-controls-upgrade |archive-date=23 May 2021 |url-status=dead }}</ref> By 14 May 2020, the Government had eased lockdown restrictions, allowing Allied Press' community newspapers and magazines to resume operations.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ellis |first1=Gavin |title=New respect for the 'local rag' |url=https://www.theensign.co.nz/views/new-respect-for-the-local-rag/ |access-date=18 May 2021 |work=The Ensign |date=14 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501195317/http://www.theensign.co.nz/views/new-respect-for-the-local-rag/ |archive-date=1 May 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>
Following the Delta variant community outbreak in August 2021, Allied Press continued publishing the ''Otago Daily Times'' and most of its community papers. However, it suspended publication of the ''Southland Express'' (Invercargill), the ''Cromwell Bulletin'', ''The Star'' (Christchurch), and Christchurch community papers due to lockdown restrictions.<ref>{{cite news |title=Most Allied Press titles continuing to publish |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/most-allied-press-titles-continuing-publish |access-date=20 September 2021 |work=Otago Daily Times |date=20 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920120650/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/most-allied-press-titles-continuing-publish |archive-date=20 September 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>
In October 2023, 40 journalists and 65 editorial and print distribution staff affiliated with the E tū union staged a 24 hour strike to demand that their wages be raised to industry pay rates. The unionised staff rejected a pay offer by Allied Press.<ref>{{cite news |title=Allied Press staff strike over pay |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/allied-press-staff-strike-over-pay |access-date=2 November 2023 |work=Otago Daily Times |date=10 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016180251/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/allied-press-staff-strike-over-pay|archive-date=16 October 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Allied Press staff out on strike seeking 'a decent pay rise' |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/allied-press-staff-out-strike-seeking-%E2%80%98-decent-pay-rise%E2%80%99 |access-date=2 November 2023 |work=Otago Daily Times |date=11 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015175429/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/allied-press-staff-out-strike-seeking-%E2%80%98-decent-pay-rise%E2%80%99|archive-date=15 October 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>
In December 2023, Allied Press confirmed that it would close its broadcasting arm Channel 39 by Christmas 2023 due to declining funding from New Zealand on Air, low viewership figures for its flagship programme ''The South Today'', rising costs, and declining advertiser support.<ref name="Stuff 13 Dec 2023">{{cite news |last1=McNeilly |first1=Hamish |title=Long-running local TV station to shut down by Christmas |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/133443871/longrunning-local-tv-station-to-shut-down-by-christmas |access-date=14 December 2023 |work=Stuff |date=13 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213100807/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/133443871/longrunning-local-tv-station-to-shut-down-by-christmas |archive-date=13 December 2023}}</ref> <ref name="ODT uncertainty">{{cite news |title=Uncertainty for Channel 39 |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/uncertainty-channel-39 |access-date=14 December 2023 |work=Otago Daily Times |date=14 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213181824/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/uncertainty-channel-39 |archive-date=13 December 2023}}</ref> However, ''The South Today'' brand would continue on the ''Otago Daily Times''{{'s}} website and YouTube.<ref name="ODT uncertainty" />
In 2024, Allied Press acquired the ''Blenheim Sun''.<ref name="Our Story" /> On 30 July 2025, Allied Press began trading as Allied Media, combining both Allied Press and Star Media under one brand.<ref name=":0" />
==Organisation and assets== {{Commons category}} thumb|250px|right|The Allied Press headquarters on Lower Stuart Street.
===Management=== Allied Media is owned by Sir Julian Smith, who serves as its chairman, managing director and board member.<ref name="NZ Media Ownership 2020" /><ref name="Our Story" /><ref name="Allied Media Team">{{cite web |title=The team at Allied Media |url=https://alliedmedia.co.nz/our-team/ |publisher=Allied Media |access-date=24 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250824032618/https://alliedmedia.co.nz/our-team/ |archive-date=24 August 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> Other key members of the company's leadership team include Allied Media board members Nick Smith and Ray Clarkson, CEO Grant McKenzie, editor-in-chief Paul McIntyre, chief information technological officer Timo Janssen, magazines publisher Charlotte Smith-Smulders, commercial manager Matthew Holdridge, human resources manager Jodi Parrish, media project manager James Smith, northern regional manager Steve McCaughan and operations manager Raja Chakrabarti.<ref name="Allied Media Team" /> The company has more than 400 employees.<ref name="NZ Media Ownership 2020" /><ref name="Allied Media Team" />
===Headquarters and bureaus=== Allied Media has its headquarters in an imposing building in Lower Stuart Street, Dunedin. The building was formerly the home of Dunedin's ''The Evening Star'' prior to its amalgamation with the ''Otago Daily Times'' in 1979.{{sfn|Palenski|2019|p=160, 172}}<ref name="NZHPT">{{NZHPT|2135|Allied Press Ltd Building (formerly Evening Star Building)|2008-04-29}}</ref> The building was designed by Edmund Anscombe and built in the late 1920s and is part of a historic precinct that also includes the Dunedin Law Courts and Dunedin Railway Station. It is listed as a Category II Historic Place.<ref name="NZHPT" />
Allied Media also operates 13 regional offices throughout the South Island including Alexandra, Ashburton, Balclutha, Blenheim, Christchurch, Cromwell, Gore, Invercargill, Oamaru, Queenstown, Rangiora, Timaru, and Wānaka.<ref>{{cite web |title=Contact us - 14 offices |url=https://alliedmedia.co.nz/contact/ |publisher=Allied Media |access-date=25 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250825014704/https://alliedmedia.co.nz/contact/ |archive-date=25 August 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
==Brands and publications== Allied Media's flagship publication is the daily newspaper ''Otago Daily Times''. It also owns a majority stake in the ''Greymouth Star'' along with a range of South Island community and farming newspapers.<ref name="NZ Media Ownership 2020" /> Allied Media operates 28 newspapers, five magazines and 15 newspaper inserts.<ref name="Print">{{cite web |title=Our print titles |url= https://alliedmedia.co.nz/print/ |publisher=Allied Media |access-date=4 August 2025|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20250803124619/https://alliedmedia.co.nz/print/ |archive-date=3 August 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> It also runs three events called ''City 2 Surf'' (Christchurch), the ''Home and Leisure Show'' (Christchurch) and ''Rural Champions''.<ref name="Events">{{cite web |title=Events |url=https://alliedmedia.co.nz/events/ |publisher=Allied Media |access-date=3 August 2025}}</ref>
In 2018, Allied Press acquired the Christchurch-based media company Star Media, which owned ''The Star'' (Christchurch) community newspaper.<ref name="Ocean Partners" /><ref name="About Star Media" /> In July 2025, Star Media and Allied Press were combined under a single brand called Allied Media.<ref name=":0" /> Until late December 2023, Allied Press also operated a local television station called Channel 39.<ref name="ODT uncertainty" />
===Newspapers=== *''Ashburton Courier''<ref name="Print"/> *''Bay Harbour News''<ref name="Print"/> *''Blenheim Sun''<ref name="Print"/> *''Canterbury Rural Life''<ref name="Print"/> *''Clutha Leader''<ref name="Print"/> *''Cromwell Bulletin''<ref name="Print"/> * ''The Ensign'' (Gore)<ref name="Print"/> *''The Geraldine News''<ref name="Print"/> *''Greymouth Star''<ref name="Print"/> *''Hokitika Guardian''<ref name="Print"/> *''Kaikoura Star''<ref name="Print"/> *''Mountain Scene''<ref name="Print"/> *''The News (Central Otago)'' (Alexandra)<ref name="Print"/> *''Nor'West News''<ref name="Print"/> *''Oamaru Mail''<ref name="Print"/> *''Otago Daily Times''<ref name="Print"/> *''Pegaus Post''<ref name="Print"/> *''Selwyn Times''<ref name="Print"/> *''Southern Rural Life''<ref name="Print"/> *''Southern View (newspaper)''<ref name="Print"/> *''Southland Express'' (Invercargill)<ref name="Print"/> * ''The Star'' (Christchurch)<ref name="Print"/> * ''The Star'' (Dunedin)<ref name="Print"/> *''The Timaru Courier'' (Timaru)<ref name="Print"/> *''Wanaka Sun''<ref name="Print"/> *''The West Coast Messenger''<ref name="Print"/> *''West Coast Rural Life''<ref name="Print"/> *''Western News (Christchurch)''<ref name="Print"/>
===Magazines=== *''O3: The South Island Lifestyle Magazine''<ref name="Print"/> *''Kiwi Gardener''<ref name="Print"/> *''Kiwi Gardener Quarterly''<ref name="Print"/> *''NZ Classic Driver''<ref name="Print"/> *''Rugby News''<ref name="Print"/>
===Newspaper inserts=== *''Build, Buy Renovate''<ref name="Print"/> *''Christmas Gift Guide''<ref name="Print"/> *''Design for Living''<ref name="Print" /> *''Drive South''<ref name="Print" /> *''Explore Dunedin''<ref name="Print" /> *''Fresh''<ref name="Print" /> *''Healthcare Providers''<ref name="Print"/> *''Holiday''<ref name="Print"/> *''Lifestyles''<ref name="Print"/> *''Property Times''<ref name="Print"/> *''Property Today''<ref name="Print"/> *''Rural Champions''<ref name="Print"/> *''South''<ref name="Print"/> *''The Weekend Mix''<ref name="Print"/> *''Wedding Guide''<ref name="Print"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
==Bibliography== *{{cite book |last= Palenski|first=Ron |author-link= |date=2019 |title=The Star of the South: A history of the Evening Star newspaper |url= |location=Dunedin |publisher=Allied Press |page= |isbn=9780473484446}}
==External links== {{Official website|https://alliedmedia.co.nz/}}
{{Allied Media}} {{COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand}}
Category:Allied Media Category:Newspaper companies of New Zealand Category:Heritage New Zealand Category 2 historic places in Otago Category:Mass media in Dunedin Category:Edmund Anscombe buildings Category:1920s architecture in New Zealand Category:Central Dunedin Category:New Zealand companies established in 1975