Nau mai haere mai, This is our fifth issue in the & Co series from the Bachelor of Communication first year class. The students have found new groups to write about and new people to interview, without doubling up on any topics that have gone in previous issues, a credit to their investigative skills and networks. It also reflects the increasingly diverse population of our region and the abundant variety of opportunities for people to connect with each other. 

This year as well as creating a magazine article about their group or Co., accompanied by their original photos and an online profile of one of the group members, we asked them to film a short documentary video to add to their online story.  

Documentary photography is a challenging process. You have the creative and technical aspects, but there are also many uncontrollable factors which you have often have to deal with along the way.  We’re very proud of how the students dealt with all these challenges, and the quality of the work that they managed to produce with such a tight turnaround. They really stepped up and succeeded in every way.  

The experience of creating a magazine in a few weeks has been valuable – and makes us all more appreciative of the work of those professionals who regularly produce hard copy magazines and fresh, informed online stories on very tight deadlines. 

Thanks to the class of 2023 for their persistence and commitment, to Wendy for supporting them with funding and, above all, to Liam Nelson who came up with the attractive design and has been a pleasure to work with. 

Cate, Gail, Samantha – tutors