Finlay Macdonald, editor of the Listener since 1998, has resigned. He will leave the magazine at the end of January.

Announcing Macdonald's resignation, publisher Wendy Bloxham said Finlay's contribution to the magazine during his tenure had been hugely significant, and she was very sorry to be losing him.

This is the text of the press release:

Finlay has been an outstanding editor. It has been a privilege to work with him. He has always had such a profound understanding of and belief in the magazine. The Listener is a vital part of New Zealand's media and cultural landscape. Finlay has provided a unique, compelling and refreshingly alternative voice to the mainstream debate.

We will be looking to appoint a new editor who will build on what Finlay has achieved and ensure the Listener's continued success as a dominant player in the media market.

During Finlay's editorship the magazine has often led the current affairs agenda, most recently in the Ahmed Zaoui case. Subscriptions have grown almost 20 per cent on an already strong base and he oversaw the successful launch of the Listener's much-praised website earlier this year. We all wish him the very best for the future.