Third generation journalist and former Gisborne Herald reporter Helen Peterson has joined the PHOnetic editorial team.
Helen was at The Gisborne Herald for almost 17 years. With a passion for writing about people, Helen’s best work brought readers face-to-face with unsung heroes in feature-length personality profiles. She was a general and court reporter also.
“I love people and am always fascinated about what they do and why they do it. Over the years I have mixed with people from all walks of life and feel it is privilege to highlight a person’s achievements particularly those that benefit the wider community.”
Helen is the daughter of long time Gisborne Herald news man and recently retired chief reporter John Jones. She was in Wellington last year when John received a Queen Service Medal for services to journalism and sport. Her grandfather, the late Jack Jones, was also a Gisborne Herald chief reporter and sports writer.
“Writing has been an important part of my life so joining the Gisborne Herald after finishing high school in 1986 was just a natural progression. There was nothing else I wanted to do and I was fortunate enough to secure a job as a cadet reporter.”
When it comes to local research, interviewing and writing, Helen has a number of strengths. She produced many historical narratives about this district’s people and places for the newspaper, and regularly wrote the Daffodil Day supplements on behalf of the Gisborne East Coast Cancer Society.
She was locally schooled and has enjoyed interaction with a broad spectrum of the community during her years as a journalist.
“Her knowledge of this district’s families and passion for telling it like it is make her a valuable addition to the reporting team,” says PHOnetic editor Hayley Redpath.
When she’s not being a journalist Helen donates time to Tairawhiti Museum and Art Centre. She helps with updating computer archive information, proofing indexes, as well as assisting with front desk duties. She says after years of being a reporter and making requests to the museum for information with short deadlines, she wanted to give something back. Helen is married to Farmer’s Air pilot Bruce Peterson and is mum to Connell and Anya.
Helen and Hayley are supported by photographer Brett Mead who is ex-Gisborne Herald and now runs his own successful company Brett Mead Photography.