This textbook covers the topics any new journalist needs to know as they embark on a career in journalism in New Zealand. These include finding and writing news, reporting specialist rounds (like politics and sport), radio and TV journalism, media law and ethics. The book embraces the modern digital world, with chapters on web-based reporting, digital news photography and using social media to find and develop stories. There are also chapters on reporting Māori affairs and reporting on diversity.

The book has a very practical focus. The chapters are all written by experienced journalism educators and journalists, and include extensive advice from working journalists. The book was originally commissioned and published by the New Zealand Journalists Training Organisation, the industry body that oversaw the training of New Zealand journalists. There are also exercises available online for all of the book’s chapters