Ocean Partners was lead advisor on the successful divestment of Star Media, publisher of The Star and its stable of community newspapers, magazines, digital platforms and events to Allied Press.

Allied Press is publisher of the Otago Daily Times, New Zealand's first daily paper published in 1861, and a host of other daily and community newspapers in Otago, Southland, South Canterbury, Mid Canterbury and the West Coast.

Allied Press is owned by Sir Julian Smith and his brother Nick Smith. The family involvement in newspapers date back to the 1860's in Dunedin.

Nick Smith has strong connections to The Star. After leaving school he joined The Star as an advertising cadet in 1965. He has also been chairman of the Star Media board since his daughter Charlotte Smulders and son-in-law Pier Smulders purchased the company from APN in 2013.

The move to Allied ownership will strengthen Star Media platforms, allowing Star Media to offer package buys combining Canterbury with other key South Island markets.

The story of Star Media's magazines department is one of constant evolution and in the last five years we have expanded from publishing two regular magazine titles, to six. Under Allied ownership, Charlotte Smulders remains at the helm of the magazines division as Magazines Publisher and we expect our growth trend to continue.