New Zealand Woman's Weekly turns 75

News Release
10 August 2007

New Zealand Woman's Weekly turns 75

It’s as much a part of Kiwi life as Jandals, Buzzy-Bees and ANZAC biscuits and now it’s turning 75.

Over the years, the New Zealand Woman's Weekly has become part of the fabric of our society – giving us recipes, life tips, and an insight into glitz, glamour and gossip from around the globe.

To celebrate its 75th birthday, the New Zealand Woman's Weekly Diamond Anniversary edition hits the shelves this week covered in our favourite diamond-clad celebrities.

The collectors’ edition weighs in at 128 pages and features Keisha Castle-Hughes, Jools Topp, Adine Wilson, Suzanne Paul, April Ieremia and Trelise Cooper on the cover – adorned in jewellery worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Special features in the Diamond Anniversary issue include memories from past editors – including the legendary Jean Wishart - a walk through the archives of food, fashion, family, celebrity and royal coverage, and a tribute to ‘75 Women We Love’.

Editor Sido Kitchin says she’s immensely proud to be at the helm of the Kiwi institution:

“Reaching 75 years is an amazing milestone and today the New Zealand Woman’s Weekly is a national treasure,” she says. “The Weekly has been entrenched in New Zealand life throughout its 75 years. It has entertained and informed us and provided a window on the world as well as a reflection of our society.

“The Weekly has been a fixture in New Zealand homes for many generations, and thanks to its ability to evolve and remain relevant to Kiwi women, I’m positive it will be for many more to come.”

When the magazine first rolled off the presses in 1932, the world was gripped by depression, and unemployed people were rioting on the streets of Auckland. It was an era when a woman’s place was firmly in the home, and the homemaking hints and tips offered reflected this.

Since then, the magazine has undergone many makeovers to remain contemporary and reflect the changing role of women. However a staple throughout its lifetime has been readers’ interest in the royal family. The Charles and Diana wedding issue was one of the biggest sellers, and Diana remains the Weekly’s leading coverstar.

The Weekly is a phenomenal publishing success story. At launch a mere 7,000 newsprint copies rolled off the presses. Current circulation is more than 98,700, with more than 954,000 readers every week.

ends

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