Cass Mason
Auckland
Summary
I am an experienced and resourceful journalist looking to change direction in the interests of keeping New Zealand safe. I have excellent communication skills and global understanding gained over years of building relationships with people in vastly different contexts.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
News Director
Newsroom
, Auckland
02.2017 - Current
- Direct and edit national news coverage from more than a dozen journalists around NZ
- Manage relationships with partner universities and commission work from contributors
- Investigate and write stories on topics of national significance
- Manage and implement the company's social media strategy
- Train and mentor new staff in writing and journalistic ethics
Digital Editor
Canadian Press
, Toronto
09.2015 - 10.2016
- Edited news and features for the Toronto Star with obsessive attention to detail
- Monitored and published content from international wire services to keep the Toronto Star's website up-to-date
- Helped run the Toronto Star’s social media accounts
Homepage Editor
New Zealand Herald
, Auckland
06.2013 - 05.2015
- Steered NZ Herald’s national and world digital news coverage for online
- Liaised with print and agency editors and reporters, and wrote and edited copy daily
- Ran the NZ Herald's social media accounts
Reporter
New Zealand Herald
, Auckland
02.2011 - 05.2014
- Wrote daily stories for six regional newspapers
- Regularly travelled to, and built relationships in, towns across the North Island
- Covered court, business, health, education, property and breaking news
- Ran the NZ Herald's daily live news blog
Programme Coordinator, Development and Relief
ADRA New Zealand
, Auckland And The Cook Islands
11.2009 - 01.2011
- Coordinated aid and development projects in Asia and the Pacific
- Wrote funding applications, reports, and conducted feasibility study research
- Completed a three-month secondment in the Cook Islands to build relationships with local stakeholders and set up a local office for ADRA
- Hired and managed staff on local aid projects.
Fundraising Coordinator
Sustainable Coastlines
, Auckland
09.2008 - 12.2010
- Sourced funding for coastal cleanup events and managed large groups of volunteers in a part-time capacity
- Built relationships with donors and sponsors
- Helped organise large coastal clean-ups around NZ and overseas, including a 3000-volunteer event in the Ha’apai Islands in Tonga
Education
Postgraduate Diploma - Journalism
AUT University
Auckland, New Zealand01.2012
Postgraduate Diploma - Development Studies
University of Auckland
New Zealand01.2010
Diploma for Graduates - Spanish
University of Otago
New Zealand01.2008
Bachelor of Arts - English and Political Studies
University of Otago
New Zealand01.2005
Skills
- Broad and deep knowledge of global and national affairs
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Experience building solid relationships and maintaining trust with sources
- High-stakes decision making under pressure
- Calm and effective management of a team
- Cross-cultural experience and Spanish proficiency
- Ability to process and make accessible large quantities of complex information
References
Available on request
Timeline
News Director
Newsroom
02.2017 - Current
Digital Editor
Canadian Press
09.2015 - 10.2016
Homepage Editor
New Zealand Herald
06.2013 - 05.2015
Reporter
New Zealand Herald
02.2011 - 05.2014
Programme Coordinator, Development and Relief
ADRA New Zealand
11.2009 - 01.2011
Fundraising Coordinator
Sustainable Coastlines
09.2008 - 12.2010
Postgraduate Diploma - Journalism
AUT University
Postgraduate Diploma - Development Studies
University of Auckland
Diploma for Graduates - Spanish
University of Otago
Bachelor of Arts - English and Political Studies
University of Otago
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