For those of you on the Hauraki Plains who have had the Profile delivered to your letterbox for the past 30 years, you may notice a few changes in this issue – starting with the name.
As new owner of the Profile, my first move was to “tweak” the title of this much-loved community newspaper from Plains Profile to Valley Profile, to reflect the new coverage area of the Plains, Paeroa, Thames and Thames Coast.
Although there have been many changes, I plan to keep the spirit of the Profile by only printing 100 per cent local news in our great region. In this edition, you can keep up to date with how the deadly Covid-19 pandemic has affected us, and how our people are coping with the restrictions the alert levels are placing on our lives, as well as news and event coverage throughout the region.
You’ll also notice some other changes, from the tides chart to the jumbo puzzle, which should keep you busy during these challenging times. I’m also excited to offer the first of a series of articles by our local history writer, Meghan Hawkes and we’ve also launched a monthly Rural Life section to celebrate our rural communities and provide farmers with the latest news and information.
Special thanks to former Profile editor Bronwyn Roberts and her amazing team, who have developed this newspaper over many years into a well-respected and well-read publication.
I would also like to sincerely thank the many businesses supporting this community newspaper during such difficult times, you have made the publication of this issue possible. We are pleased we can offer a reliable resource delivered to every letterbox to help you share your message at a time when local businesses desperately need our support. I encourage everybody to shop local to get our local businesses thriving again after the shutdown.
So, don’t be a stranger, if you have any great news tips, a burning issue you’d like to write to the editor about or if you’d like to give your business a boost by placing an ad, please get in touch!
- Teresa Ramsey, editor
