Cue the confetti! _{by Madelaine Empson}

When I asked the Regional News round table what they wanted me to include in this piece, which has become kind of like our annual Christmas card to our readers, I heard a resounding “We’re still here!”

It might seem silly, but it’s how we all feel. We’re truly proud to still be here, heading into our 12^th year of printing an independently owned newspaper (no mean feat in a digital age). There are just eight of us here filling the pages you’re holding with the word on the street about what’s on, where to go, and what to do in wonderful Wellington and beyond. Making an arts and entertainment, lifestyle and leisure publication today – one without funding that’s free to read – feels a bit like a Christmas miracle.

Our gratitude goes out to every single person who has had a hand in Regional News: from our clients to readers, staff members to distributors who fill the stands across Greater Wellington each and every fortnight come rain or shine. You all helped us to reach 250 issues this year, plus celebrate our 21^st birthday edition of our free biannual travel magazine, Destinationz. Cue the confetti!

When all is said and done, we think the biggest miracle of all is our team. Many of us have been here for several years, if not since day dot. Here’s to the next 250 issues with our chosen family.