APN News & Media will merge its NZME Auckland operations in a new building set to open in November.
The move is part of the rebranding of APN New Zealand as NZME and includes the New Zealand Herald, The Radio Network and GrabOne. It will bring together Herald and Newstalk ZB staff togther in a single newsroom.
Group transformation director Sarah Judkins says the aim is to bring about a new corporate culture: "It's hard to create a new culture moving one business into another, but with a brand new location it will be much more natural - like creating one new business rather than bringing three businesses together," she told The Newspaper Works, the industry group of which APN is a member/owner.
"We want to be a business that is future-focused, in tune with our audience, with what New Zealanders want and what's going on - whether in digital, print or radio."
Details of the newsroom merger are still to be determined, but Judkins says Herald and Newstalk staff would "keep their own character" while likely to collaborate on breaking news.
"It will give them the ability to cover a broader range of subject matter and provide a more nationwide perspective, leveraging radio assets like Newstalk (which is based in Christchurch)."
The building is currently being fitted out by property developer Manson TCLM, and features "lots of natural light, showers and other amenities to encourage staff to cycle, and lots of spaces where staff can congregate to foster collaboration".
The move will commence on November 1.