Joanna Hunkin takes helm as editor of Australian Gourmet Traveller as Sarah Oakes departs
Joanna Hunkin will take over the helm of Australian Gourmet Traveller in September, as editor in chief Sarah Oakes has made the decision to not return to the business after time off for maternity leave.
Hunkin replaces acting editor Amy Reedy who has been with the company since late last year in a maternity leave cover capacity. Hunkin will join the business on September 2.
Hunkin brings 15 years of experience to the role, working for some of New Zealand’s biggest media organisations. Most recently, she spent five years as head of entertainment and lifestyle for NZME, overseeing all print and digital content across its verticals.
She also led the launch of New Zealand Herald’s lifestyle magazine Be Well while editing weekly entertainment magazine Time Out.
Prior to her time at NZME, Hunkin spent four years as a general news reporter for One News.
Bauer Media general manager, publishing, Sally Eagle said Hunkin’s extensive talent made her the stand-out candidate for the position.
“Joanna’s wealth of experience in broadcast, print and digital makes her the ideal candidate to take the helm at Gourmet Traveller. The brand continues to engage with its dedicated and passionate audience across all platforms, so her experience with cross-platform channels will be hugely beneficial.
“Joanna’s energy, passion, and vision for the brand are both infectious and exciting. We’re delighted by her appointment and look forward to seeing the magazine flourish under her leadership.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to also thank Amy Reedy, who stepped into the acting editor role for Gourmet Traveller late last year. She has been a great asset to Bauer and the brand, and we wish her every success for the future,” said Eagle.
Reedy had joined Gourmet Traveller from Pacific Magazine’s Who where she was deputy editor.
Hunkine said she was thrilled to be joining the team in her new role.
“I am beyond thrilled to be joining the Gourmet Traveller team, having long admired the brand as a food-obsessed reader. The opportunity to build on the magazine’s already sterling reputation and connect with more readers is a challenge that fills me with both excitement and anticipation. It is a privilege to be the next editor of Gourmet Traveller and to lead the team into 2020 and beyond.”
Oakes joined Gourmet Traveller in February 2017 as longtime editor Anthea Loucas stepped down with plans to move to Melbourne to be with her family. Shortly after, Loucas was named CEO of Food and Wine Victoria, the organisation responsible for Melbourne Food & Wine Festival and several other food events.
