The independent Catholic magazine Tui Motu was first published in September 1997, following the demise of the country's oldest weekly newspaper, The New Zealand Tablet, the previous year.
Former Tablet editor Michael Hill, "the golfer but not the jeweller", said he was approached by the members of the Dominican Order to begin a new magazine, in response to the closure of the Dunedin-based weekly newspaper.
Fr Hill said the Tablet was one of only a handful of independent Catholic newspapers in the world and the Dominican Order felt that tradition should continue with Tui Motu.
"Tui Motu doesn't make any money, but importantly it doesn't lose any money . . .
"That is my achievement."
Launched in September 1997 with a cover price of $4, the magazine, which now costs $5, boasts a circulation of about 2500, including several hundred overseas subscribers.
Politicians Mr English and Sue Bradford were among the subscribers, as was the apostolic nuncio (Pope's envoy) to New Zealand, and several Anglican bishops.
Fr Hill said the magazine, which has always stayed at 32 pages, had been published in colour since last year but had retained the same editorial directive, "to be a Catholic paper that looks out".
The 78-year-old said it was time to stand aside from his unpaid position with the magazine.
Fr Kevin Toomey is to take over from February.
The role was more than just writing and editing, but required book-keeping abilities, an eye for photographs and the patience to stuff several thousand copies into envelopes, he said.
Fr Toomey (63), who was involved in founding the magazine while he was working in Rome, said he was looking forward to his new role and working with the many contributors and volunteers who made it happen each month.
The magazine had a reputation of courting controversy and tackling issues, and those issues changed as New Zealand changed, he said.
"I will give it a good go."
