Kim Bowden has joined The Central App news team, replacing reporter Anna Robb who worked for the company for the past three years.

Kim retrained as a journalist about 15 years ago after working in the travel industry.

Her most recent work was for Crux Media and a brief stint recently with Allied Press, for both the Otago Daily Times and the Central Otago News.

Kim, who is based in Lowburn with her husband and three children, moved to Central Otago eight years ago. She worked for The Central App when she first arrived.

Having graduated from AUT’s postgraduate journalism course, her first newspaper job was with The Southland Times, based in Alexandra.

“It was a maternity leave contract, and I returned to Auckland, but I remember a glorious golden summer that left my husband and I wanting to return,” she said.

Kim said she is passionate about local journalism - covering stories that directly affect people’s day-to-day lives. 

“I believe it plays a big role in creating connection and a sense of belonging, but also in helping communities face up to challenges,” she said.

“I’m not afraid to report on the hard stuff - I think it’s important to reflect back what’s really going on, even when it’s uncomfortable. Good local reporting gives people reliable information to chew over at the dinner table or on the sidelines of the sports field. It lays out the issues clearly, so even if people disagree, they’re at least having the same conversation - and that’s how communities move forward together.”

Kim is looking forward to getting stuck into some local democracy reporting, and is known for asking tough questions, thinking on her feet, and wanting to understand how and why things work the way they do.

She also loves talking to people who do brilliant things, “whether it's a local business owner, a farmer with a smart new idea, or someone quietly making a difference”. 

“There's something energising about hearing what makes people tick, and I really enjoy turning those conversations into stories that celebrate their work and passion.”

Before becoming a journalist, Kim worked as a tour guide across Southeast Asia and the Pacific (Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Fiji, Vanuatu, and NZ) for Intrepid Travel. 

“And, even further back, after graduating with a degree in politics and geography from the University of Auckland, I worked as an electoral secretary for three Members of Parliament.”

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