Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Timeline
Generic

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 Zealand
01.2012

Postgraduate Diploma - Development Studies

University of Auckland
New Zealand
01.2010

Diploma for Graduates - Spanish

University of Otago
New Zealand
01.2008

Bachelor of Arts - English and Political Studies

University of Otago
New Zealand
01.2005

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
Cass Mason