Wellington, July 23 NZPA - Roy Pilott is moving to be editor of The Taranaki Daily News from the Waikato Times where he is deputy editor, Fairfax Media said.

He replaces Jonathan MacKenzie, who was recently appointed editor of the Waikato Times, which is also owned by Fairfax Media.

Former Waikato Times editor Bryce Johns is now the editor of the Herald on Sunday, a newspaper owned by rival APN News & Media.

Fairfax Media executive editor Paul Thompson said Pilott would bring a wealth of journalistic and leadership experience to the Taranaki Daily News.

"Roy is an exceptional journalist and newsroom leader. He has a particular strength in driving strong coverage of key local issues," Thompson said.

Pilott starts in September.

The Taranaki Daily News circulates throughout Taranaki and the King Country.