Calling all budding young writers

Our junior journalist programme trial last year was successful, so we’re now on the hunt for our 2026 writers.

We’re looking for 10 students to be part of our junior journalist programme. So, if you have a budding writer in your school or family, please get in touch.

We have lined up some fantastic mentors from across our community. Thank you to those who have agreed to mentor our young writers.

Junior journalists will learn tips and tricks, be given guidance from our news team, and
experience what it’s like to be a journalist. They will get their stories shared on our website and published in our Franklin Times.

With our sister newspaper’s programme out east, the children’s stories have a huge following and readership. They can write about anything local in the wider Franklin community.

We take junior journalists from Year 6 to Year 13. Returning programme participants are
welcome to take part, this time with the full-length duration.

Please email editor@franklintimes.co.nz to apply.