Making the Papers

Television (Full Length Episode) – 2001

Westport-born author and wit Peter Hawes is the perfect guide for this fly-on-the-wall documentary. Most of the action takes place in the offices of The Greymouth Evening Star, the largest daily title in a region which boasts four local newspapers. Senior Star reporter Sue Galbraith is the "go to" for office goss, and celebrates making it to local status after 20 years. Cub reporter Sheree Smith is a constant at every community event, camera in hand. There's dramas at the printing press, but the news gets through. Hawes celebrates the independent, resourceful spirit of the coast and its print media.

When you're on the coast the rest of the country — well the rest of the world — is as they say here, 'over the hill'. And that is 'the hill' [points to the Southern Alps]. So you're pretty isolated. Consequently they generate their own fun here, and as usual the staff of the Star are either enjoying it, reporting it or generating it...
– Presenter Peter Hawes on West Coasters making their own fun, late in this documentary