NZ newswire shuts after 131 years

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - After a moment's hesitation, New Zealand Press Association (NZPA) editor Kevin Norquay hit the send button on Wednesday on a story that consigned the news agency to history after 131 years.

The agency, a victim of media consolidation in the digital age, sent its final dispatch to clients from its Wellington headquarters as past and present staff, some in tears, looked on clutching glasses of champagne and beer.

"This is the final message from the New Zealand Press Association," said the brief transmission to New Zealand newspapers, sent at 6:24 pm.