Reflections on NZTECHO's 50th
Ah the vagaries of editing NZTECHO. I’ve been schooled on more than one occasion by one of our tame professional-writers about what does and does not comprise a ‘real story-angle’. I’ve soldiered along, part-discovered, part-developed the angle for a promising story only to be scuppered by the schedules of publicity departments. For this issue I thought: something’s gotta give. This is the 50th Issue of NZTECHO since its inception. A Golden Issue. Accordingly there should be some pretty special content. Eek! Turns out we got there, and as usual it took a village, thanks everyone.
50 issues of NZTECHO and the Guild still under the steady helm of President Albol! I searched the NZTECHO archives (see page 14) to check out early issues… In May 2002 when “Old number one” hit letterboxes, Albol was wearing a shiny-new President’s mantle, having just been handed it by David Madigan. Then editor Tim Pope’s description of Mr Madigan as ‘ferociously hard working’ had me smiling (some things never change) and thinking there’s much to be learned from our first editor’s easy, engaging style (not to mention wit). I have an ingrained tendency to be overly didactic (excessively instructive). (Some blame my previous life as a lecturer – in truth I’ve always been like this…) Still, I can be entertaining when I write, I just have to figure out how to balance it with creating material fit for public consumption!
I am really pleased to be able to present the CTV story in this issue. It brings both hope and recognition of remarkable survival and recovery. I’ve no doubt that it will move everyone when they contemplate the list of those lost, that they be remembered.
Also in our memories are the impassioned times of 1981, immortalised in various ways – the most recent of which being TV drama Rage (just about to air as I write). Memories in the latest tome about NZ film are given a thoughtful once-over by a veteran rabble-rouser who also features in the Shooting rage piece. In the next – summer – issue we hope to explore more about the way we all work together to retell stories of New Zealand’s past. In this one I hope you enjoy a taste of the many stories surrounding that ill-fated Springbok Tour as you contemplate the current Rugby World Cup from whatever place you view it…
There’s some important admonishment/call to arms in Fine print (page 4), and I suspect discomforting (but complementary, and equally important) reading in Point-of-view (page 17).
When your emotions have had enough for a moment, have a bash at getting your head around radio-spectrum issues. If more outside the wireless users community don’t get to grips with this voluntarily, they may find it thrust upon them… And, don’t forget to scan the new members list, these are the new blood here and they need your camaraderie and congratulations… before we get them to work!
Fritha Stalker
Editor-at-large
