The Guild has been in existence for over 60 years (established in 1958). We aim to:
- Provide a channel of communication so members can benefit from an exchange of views and knowledge.
- Provide members with information and with opportunities that will assist them in pursuing their careers.
- Maintain a high standard of agricultural journalism, particularly through its annual journalism awards.
- Promote better understanding of agriculture, and its place in New Zealand’s economic and social life.
Code of professional ethics
Members of the New Zealand Guild of Agricultural Journalists and Communicators are writers, broadcasters and communicators of work relating to this country's primary production sector, which contributes around two-thirds of the nation's exported goods and is a major regional employer.
Members agree to follow the Guild Code of Ethics in their work: To strive to achieve the highest professional standards, respect the truth and to always be accurate, objective, thorough, fair, polite and honest in our work, including on social media, whether with interviewees, colleagues, other agricultural journalists, communicators or clients.
In meeting the above statement, members of the New Zealand Guild of Agricultural Journalists and Communicators undertake to:
- Conduct themselves in a way that will not discredit the Guild or any other members.
- Avoid conflicts of interest that may influence them in their professional duties, as well as any appearance of such conflicts
- Not allow professional duties to be influenced by any consideration, gift or advantage offered and, where appropriate, to disclose any offer
- Present work that is fair and accurate and that comment and conjecture are not presented as established fact
- Respect all confidences received in the course of work
- Not allow the publication of false or misleading material, or knowingly allow it to be published or broadcast on their behalf
- Respect the intellectual property rights of others and not knowingly use or appropriate to financial or professional advantage, any material or other intellectual property, whether in relation to written words, photography and graphics, advertising and promotional material, without proper recognition
- Be aware of relevant legislation, such as copyright and privacy laws, and how it applies to their work
- Always identify themselves and their employers before obtaining any interview for publication or broadcast and advise if an interview is being recorded
- Allow fair correction of errors in the next available edition or broadcast programme or podcast. If online content is corrected after it has been posted, the heading ‘corrected or updated version; should be posted at the top of the document, along with an explanation of the correction.
Membership
Membership is open to individuals working in any area of agricultural communication. Group Membership is available to media companies employing a number of agricultural journalists and corporate membership is available for allied businesses, but it does not give corporations voting rights at the AGM. Those working part-time in agricultural journalism or communication can join as Associate Members for a reduced rate and no voting rights at the AGM.
Primary sector companies can join as Corporate Members to support the Guild's activities.
An invoice for the annual subscription is sent out every January – February, but members can join at any time during the year.
The Guild's Constitution and Rules (last amended at the Guild annual meeting in October 2018) can be found here.
Member Directory
All members can be listed in the latest Membership Directory. This is available for those seeking professional journalists, writers and communicators working in the New Zealand agricultural sector and also for members to network. See here.
PLEASE NOTE: If you would like a hard copy of the directory or would like to use this database for ANY other purposes, please contact the Secretary.
IFAJ membership
The Guild is affiliated to the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) and Guild members have the opportunity to attend IFAJ congresses held annually in member countries.
Awards
The Guild offers a series of journalism awards each year, supported by a range of sponsors. We also offer the Ravensdown Communicator of the Year Award. Read more ...
Professional development
From Congress 2015 surplus funds, the Guild is able to assist members with their professional development through three initiatives:
- The contested Continuing Professional Development Grant, which offers up to $3,000 each year for a member, or members, to attend courses or gain tuition of their choice. Information available soon ...
- The Guild's IFAJ World Congress Travel Grant provides assistance for a member to attend the annual IFAJ World Congress, held in a different location each year. This provides stories and story ideas, leadership experience and also opportunities to make valuable contacts with colleagues around the globe. Applications for 2019 will be required to be received by the National Secretary by mid-December. Further information, and an application form, will be available later this year.
- Regional Focus Days giving Guild members in the regions a focus two days a year. This could include a professional development session, dependent on group interest. Information available soon ...