Waitaki App has been confirmed as an associate member of the NZ Media Council (NZMC) as of 30th September 2024.

"We're delighted," co-director of Waitaki App Cara Tipping Smith says.

"We know we're a bridge between traditional media and modern media, so being welcomed to the NZ Media Council (NZMC) feels like a very validating step for what we've achieved over the last couple of years."

The NZMC states: "The main objective of the New Zealand Media Council, established as an industry self-regulatory body in 1972, is to provide the public with an independent forum for resolving complaints involving the newspapers, magazines and the websites of such publications and other digital media.

"The council is also concerned with promoting media freedom and maintaining the press in accordance with the highest professional standards.

"Membership of the council carries a responsibility to adhere to and uphold the NZMC’s twelve principles of ethical journalism and an acceptance of the Media Council’s complaint procedure as outlined on the Media Council’s website."

Waitaki App co-director Alex Regtien says the App published its own code of conduct, the Digital Accountability & Responsible Engagement (DARE), a year ago and NZMC principles were an important part of our consideration then.

"Now as accepted NZMC members, we stand amongst the likes of New Zealand's leading publishers including the ODT, Oamaru Mail, NZ Herald, and TVNZ, along with international brands such as Warner Brothers Discovery, Netflix and Amazon Prime in our commitment to promoting media freedom and maintaining the highest professional standards.

"We're incredibly proud of our team, particularly our head of news, Ashley Smyth, whose integrity, diligence and professionalism has been unwavering since we began in November 2022."

Members agree to abide by NZMC's 12 principles, and undertake to publish responsibly and ethically.

If readers think the Waitaki App has breached these principles, complaints can made in writing to [email protected], and if the issue is not resolved satisfactorily, they can take the matter to NZMC.

See the full complaints procedure here.