Journalist Spotlight | Interview with Nadine Roberts, Senior Journalist at Stuff

In this interview, Nadine Roberts, a Senior Journalist on the Investigations and In Depth team at Stuff, discusses her extensive career and her passion for impactful, long-form journalism.

Hi, Nadine - just wanted to say thank you for giving me your time! First, could you tell me about your start in journalism? Have you always wanted to pursue a career in the media?

I have always been obsessed with current affairs. Be it at primary school and the inevitable weekly news quiz or reading the Otago Daily Times from cover to cover as a child, I always wanted to be a journalist.

To be exact I wanted to be a foreign correspondent like Liam Jeory and Cameron Bennett who were my heroes…as was Peter Arnett, the great Bluff man. So when Southland Polytechnic set up a diploma course in his name I was there - and he even came to graduation from America which was a huge thrill.

But more than that, I wanted to make a difference and I wanted to be the first draft of history. As a new journalist, I wanted to get as much experience as possible across the industry including print, radio and television. Having experience in all three has been pivotal in my career - particularly today where it is essential new journalists can cope with all three.

Can you also speak to me about the Investigations and In Depth team at Stuff that you’re currently part of? What are the “beats” of this team, and what’s your day-to-day like as part of it?

The Investigations and In Depth team at Stuff focuses on longer-form journalism that goes beyond the daily news cycle. Our work is about uncovering issues that aren’t immediately visible, holding institutions to account, and telling complex human stories with depth and context.

The “beats” aren’t traditional rounds in the sense of court or council reporting - instead they’re more thematic. We tend to work across areas like social issues, justice, health, and the economy, often following threads that emerge from community concerns, data, or patterns in reporting. There’s a strong emphasis on impact, whether that’s exposing systemic problems, prompting policy discussions, or giving a voice to people who might otherwise go unheard.

Day-to-day, the job is quite varied. A lot of time is spent building trust with sources, sometimes over weeks or months, particularly when dealing with sensitive or complex topics. There’s also a strong research component - working through documents, Official Information Act requests, and court material - as well as collaborating closely with editors, visual journalists and sometimes data or video teams to shape the story.

It’s a balance between persistence and patience. Some days you’re chasing leads or interviews under tight time pressure, and other days you’re sitting with a story, checking and re-checking details to make sure it stands up. Ultimately, the goal is to produce journalism that is both robust and engaging, and that contributes something meaningful to public understanding.

What made you return to journalism after having worked non-profits and even the British government (from my understanding)? And how have your experiences in public relations and comms roles influenced your work as a journalist?

I originally moved into non-profits and government because I was interested in working more directly on the issues I’d been reporting on - particularly around social impact and public policy. Those roles gave me a deeper understanding of how decisions are made, how systems operate, and how messaging is shaped behind-the-scenes.

But I found myself missing journalism - the independence, the ability to ask difficult questions, and the privilege of telling people’s stories in a way that can genuinely make a difference. Journalism offers a unique space to hold power to account and to give a voice to people who might otherwise not be heard, and that ultimately drew me back.

My experience in communications has definitely shaped how I work as a journalist. It’s given me a clearer insight into how organisations respond under pressure, how narratives are managed, and where the gaps can be between public messaging and reality. It also means I understand the constraints people inside institutions operate under, which can help in building more constructive relationships with sources while still maintaining independence.

At the same time, it’s reinforced the importance of staying rigorous and sceptical. Having seen how information can be framed or controlled, I’m very conscious of the need to verify, to look for what isn’t being said, and to test assertions carefully.

It’s also made me a more empathetic interviewer. Whether I’m speaking to officials, experts or members of the public, I’m aware that people are often navigating complex pressures, and creating space for honest conversations can lead to stronger, more nuanced reporting.

Having had experience across multiple sectors in the media ecosystem (editor, journalist, PR & comms) I’d be interested to know what makes for an affective and effective press release. What should people keep in mind when pitching with them, and what role do press releases play in your source diet for stories?

A good press release is essentially a strong news story, not a piece of marketing. The most effective ones are clear, concise and upfront about why the information matters right now - what’s new, what’s changed, and why an audience should care. If you can’t summarise the story in a strong first paragraph, it’s unlikely to cut through.

From a journalist’s perspective, the key things are relevance and credibility. That means real substance - data, evidence, or access - rather than broad claims. Quotes should add something meaningful rather than just restating the obvious, and it helps enormously if there are real people affected who are willing to speak. Timing also matters; if there’s a clear news hook or it connects to something already in the public conversation, it’s far more likely to land.

When pitching, it’s important to think about the audience the journalist serves, not just your organisation’s priorities. A targeted, personalised pitch that explains why a story fits a particular reporter’s work will always be more effective than a generic mass email. Being available, responsive, and transparent - including about limitations or sensitivities - also builds trust over time.

Press releases still play a role in my source mix, but they’re rarely the story on their own. They’re often a starting point - a way to spot trends, identify potential leads, or connect with sources - but the journalism comes from testing the claims, finding independent voices, and asking the questions that aren’t answered in the release.

Ultimately, the most effective press material doesn’t try to control the story - it enables it by providing credible information, access, and a clear sense of why it matters.

Finally, do you have any advice for someone wanting to break into the media industry in Aotearoa?

Breaking into the media industry in Aotearoa takes persistence, curiosity, and flexibility - especially if you want a long term career. My advice would be:

1. Start small, start local. Local newspapers, community radio, and small online outlets are excellent training grounds - from the first day you become a student journalist. You’ll get hands-on experience covering real stories, learning deadlines, and developing a nose for what matters to your community and many small media organisations are only too happy to take your content while you are training.

2. Build a portfolio early. Even short pieces, blog posts, or multimedia stories can demonstrate your skills. Editors want to see evidence that you can research, write clearly, and tell a story that engages readers or viewers. More than that, journalists of the future will be truly multi-dimensional. They will be able to broadcast live, write scripts, direct visuals and write the story. Anyone who can exhibit all those skills has a huge advantage. It’s no longer enough to be a good writer - in this day and age you need to have a wide array of skills.

3. Learn every part of the ecosystem within newsrooms. Understanding not just reporting, but how editorial decisions are made, how PR works, and how audiences engage with content, will make you a stronger, more adaptable journalist. My own experience in communications and government roles has helped me navigate sources, ask better questions, and spot where stories really sit beneath the surface. Also, using metrics to learn how stories have performed can inform your pitches.

4. Be curious, resilient, and ethical. Stories often come from asking the questions others might not, and from following leads patiently. At the same time, integrity and respect for people’s experiences - particularly in sensitive situations - will define your reputation.

5. Embrace technology - especially AI. As the media industry shrivels and resources become ever tighter, technology will become crucial in helping journalists deliver content. AI is already having a massive impact on our newsrooms and its uses are infinite. I use AI every day in a wide range of tasks - but do not use it to write. It’s also vital to be across as many social media platforms as possible and build up community links through them.

6. Network and seek mentorship. Attend events, reach out to reporters, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Most journalists are happy to give guidance and support emerging talent.

Finally, be persistent. The industry is competitive, but those who are dedicated, adaptable, and genuinely interested in telling stories that matter will always find opportunities. And remember, we are the first draft of history and that will always be important as AI continues to grow.