after time in ireland as new zealand's immigration agent, he was leader writer for "the argus" in melbourne before joining "the new zealand herald" in 1883. he moved to the united kingdom as the "herald's" correspondent, and there he set up the "australian times and anglo-new-zealander" together with robert reid. reed returned to auckland and became editor of the "auckland evening bell". in 1889, he was editor of the "evening standard" in melbourne. in the following year, he was editor for "the sydney morning herald". by 1895, he had returned to auckland and rejoined "the new zealand herald".