WildTomato

Founder Murray Farquhar launched WildTomato as a 16-page local magazine in Nelson, New Zealand, in July 2006, aiming to create an "essential lifestyle magazine" for the Nelson region.[1] His initial plan was for a weekly printed magazine, before the magazine eventually shifted to a larger monthly publication.[3] The magazine targets a readership of people aged 30-plus in the middle-to-upper socio-economic groups.[4]

The current majority owner of the magazine is Jack Martin, an immigrant to Nelson from the United Kingdom. He initially became editor of WildTomato in December 2007. Martin oversaw a substantial evolution in the scope, size, print quality, and regional coverage of the magazine, which is published as an 80-plus-page, glossy magazine that focuses on the Top of the South Island of New Zealand. In March 2008, Martin began the process to buy WildTomato from Farquhar, eventually completing the sale in September 2008.[4]

In November 2009, WildTomato changed formats, becoming a standard-sized, 100-page magazine, shifting from its traditional oversized saddle-stitched format. The magazine's website was also revamped in 2009.[5]

In April 2016, Lynda Papesch (née Munden/Hooper)　was appointed editor when Martin returned to the UK to oversea family business there. She remains the owner of WildTomato. Papesch comes from a journalistic background, starting her career at The Daily Post in Rotorua in 1977, then moving to The Marlborough Express in 1980. After stints as chief reporter, deputy editor, and acting editor with The Express, Papesch moved to Nelson Tasman in 2006 and started her own media company. She joined the advertising features department of The Nelson Mail, co-ordinating features from 2010 to 2014.

The magazine is involved in its local communities, sponsoring and otherwise being involved in several events[6][7] including featuring several on a monthly basis in its "Snapped" pages, and creating the annual reader-voted Dine Out Awards to highlight Top of the South food, wine, and hospitality.[8] The magazine is further entwined with its local regions by using local writers and photographers as its contributors.[9][10][11][12][13][14]

The content of WildTomato reflects the neighbouring regions it covers.[15] WildTomato includes food, wine, and adventure activities. Many of the columns and regular features in the magazine focus on one or more of these aspects of the area.