The New Zealand Community Newspapers Association Inc traces its foundation back to 1959 when a group of small weekly country papers decided an organisation was required to foster, promote and safeguard the interests of community newspapers in New Zealand and to improve and regulate conditions and standards in the industry.

The Association is covered by a set of registered rules.

NZCNA provides members with the following services:

• Shared Advertising Editorial

Members may also participate in the group Defamation Scheme (additional charge).

Executive Committee
President John Spring - Whakatane Beacon
Bill Deed - QSM JP
Gary Anderson
Pier Smulders
Karla Wairau


Postal Address
P O Box 347
Ashburton, NZ
Phone - Gary Anderson 027 533 327
Fax - 03 308 8801
Email

Conference
The 2012 Annual Conference and AGM are still to be confirmed.

For further information please call Gary Anderson on 027 533 327.

Industry Bodies
The NZCNA supports to the following industry bodies:

• Advertising Standards Authority
• Audit Bureau of Circulations
• Journalists Training Organisation
• NZ Press Council

Better Newspapers Competition
An annual Better Newspapers Competition is held among members. Awards are keenly contested in the following categories:

• Best All Round Newspaper
• Best Front Page
• Community Involvement
• Best Individual Advertising Portfolio
• Best Advertising Feature or Supplement
• Best Journalist
• Young Journalist
• Best Photographer
• Young Photographer
• Junior Sports Journalist
• Senior Sports Journalist
• Headlines - 3 Best Headings

The results for 2010 can be viewed here.

Guidelines to Membership
The guidelines to membership of the New Zealand Community Newspapers Association Inc were adopted by an Executive Committee meeting on 29 March 1995.

• Members are strongly urged to undergo an annual circulation audit
• The applicant newspaper must not be a trade publication
• The applicant newspaper must be published at least twice monthly and no more than four times weekly
• The applicant newspaper should have a reasonable amount of editorial content, with the majority focusing on the community it serves
• Community newspapers which are obvious supplements of daily newspapers are not eligible even if delivered free into all households
• Copies of all CNA member publications will be examined annually to ensure they continue to abide by the spirit of these guidelines
• Six consecutive issues as nominated by the Association must be supplied by the applicant newspaper for consideration by the executive committee of the NZCNA. Admission of each new applicant is by majority vote
• Associate Membership is available for other publications that may not meet the above criteria or wish to have an association with NZCNA