Naomi Hunt

Naomi Hunt is a managing editor at Metropole, with roots in the U.S. and Malaysia that have long been buried under Austrian soil. She previously served as a program manager at the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID) and was a Senior Press Freedom Adviser at the International Press Institute (IPI).

Families – Dreaming of Life After Corona

Naomi Hunt - August 23, 2020

From Timber to Timbre

In a fast-paced, digital world, Vienna’s master instrument makers seem to live a time apart.

Naomi Hunt - December 13, 2019

Philippa Strache – in or out of Parliament? In, she says.

The far-right Freedom Party decides not to give Philippa Strache a seat in parliament (though they may not have a choice), while husband H.C. appears to be floating the idea of founding his own party

Naomi Hunt - October 23, 2019

Scientists Offer Advice on Climate Change

We spoke with climate researcher Mathias Kirchner about Austria’s forthcoming Energy and Climate Plan, scientists’ efforts to help politicians, and why systemic reform is barely on the horizon.

Naomi Hunt - October 22, 2019

Wiener Wiesn | The Chipmunks Couldn’t Save Us

It was all as it should be: Schlager music, gigantic beers, traditional dress, sizable pretzels. It isn’t you, Wiener Wiesn. It’s me.

Naomi Hunt - October 6, 2019

Thomas Cook Insolvency Affects Thousands in Austria

The British travel giant announced Monday its would cease all operations, stranding tens of thousands and costing thousands of jobs.

Naomi Hunt - September 24, 2019

Fridays for Future | How a Movement of Kids Is Leading the Way

This Friday, the youth-led movement will launch its largest collective action ever. Three local representatives tell us how complex the challenge is – and how, with collective effort, we can rise to the challenge.

Naomi Hunt - September 19, 2019

Blue + Yellow = Green | Let’s Talk Trash

Sorting out recyclables just got a little easier in Vienna, thanks to an initiative that lets people chuck plastic and metal into the same container.

Naomi Hunt - September 16, 2019

Back to School | Our Vienna Survival Guide for Education Helps Expats Aged 1 to 100 Navigate a Compl...

Metropole adds another title to its Survival Guide series this November – this time, we tackle education in Austria. Here, an excerpt from the introduction.

Naomi Hunt - September 6, 2019

The Casinos Austria Scandal Stains Everyone

Election campaigns for the National Assembly are in full swing, but the fallout continues for the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) and Novomatic. As Metr...

Naomi Hunt - August 28, 2019

Measles Keeps Rearing Its Ugly Head

Nearly twice as many cases were reported by mid-August as in all of 2019 – a quarter of which have resulted in hospitalization.

Naomi Hunt - August 23, 2019

North Vienna Gets Its First Daytime Shelter for the Homeless

Nord_light in Vienna’s 22nd District will provide shelter, beds, food, laundry and showers – the first such offer north of the Donau.

Naomi Hunt - August 20, 2019

The Return of Wolves and Bears in Austria

The reappearance of apex predators in the alps have some calling for a cull; but environmentalists decry the “scaremongering” and call for more electric fences.

Naomi Hunt - August 6, 2019

Tough Times for Austria‘s Retail Sector

One in three Austrian retailers booked losses in 2017/2018, new research shows – as did every second book, jewelry and watch dealer. Still longer-term trends are positive.

Naomi Hunt - July 30, 2019

Red Cross Sanguine in Blood Drive Dispute

The Austrian Red Cross has called for a law to be lifted that requires a medical doctor to be present at blood drives; the Medical Chamber disagrees

Naomi Hunt - July 12, 2019

E-Scooter Troubles

Electric scooters offer a fast and affordable means to zip around town – but as with other new tech, there are growing pains.

Naomi Hunt - July 11, 2019

Bomb Threat Leads to Shootout Near Innsbruck

A caller’s threat to the Altstadt in Innsbruck on Wednesday led to a wide-ranging evacuation and shootout between the alleged caller and police.

Naomi Hunt - July 4, 2019

Uber’s Last-Ditch Petition to Avoid Taxi Rules

A new law would impose standardized cab fares on ride-hailing services Uber and Holmi – which they and the NEOS say undermines fair competition.

Naomi Hunt - July 1, 2019

Creative Bookkeeping at the WKO

The Vienna Chamber of Commerce has been “hiding” payments to retirees as non-profit contributions, while the Chamber says the auditors knew about it all along.

Naomi Hunt - June 20, 2019

Vienna Police Under Scrutiny for Violence

Officers captured on video striking activists has brought recriminations, reviews and uproar on social media.

Naomi Hunt - June 17, 2019

The Sweet Taste of Success

How hard work and good planning made Taybat Sweets a Viennese Model for Entrepreneurship

Naomi Hunt - June 13, 2019

U.S. Consular Services with a Side of Fries, Please

The U.S. Embassy in Austria has partnered up with McDonald‘s to help “citizens in distress”. We sent an American to try it out.

Naomi Hunt - June 6, 2019

FPÖ Dodges Fallout from Ibiza-Gate

The Freedom Party paints itself as a victim of conspiracies, but numerous unanswered questions remain.

Naomi Hunt - May 29, 2019

Kurz No Longer Chancellor, Government Dismissed

+++ Breaking News, May 27, 16:20 +++ The vote of no confidence went through. Sebastian Kurz is no longer Chancellor of Austria. The End of...

Naomi Hunt - May 27, 2019

EU Election Countdown | Kurz Adopts Far-Right Coalition Partner Positions

Chancellor Sebastian Kurz’s populist swipes at Brussels in the run-up to the EU election reap opposition scorn, but maybe a few votes, too Part of ...

Naomi Hunt - May 22, 2019

A Rising Tide: Measles and the Vaccination Debate

A wave of cases in Austria puts the spotlight on anti-vaxxers, the health care system and society’s short memory Austria has been facing a spike in...

Naomi Hunt - May 8, 2019

A Hello to Arms | Rojava at the Volkstheater

Rojava offers lessons on love, life and death from the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria Rojava, the self-described autonomous admi...

Naomi Hunt - April 24, 2019

Much Ado About Guns

The opening of a new sporting goods store on the Mariahilferstrasse reveals the cultural rift over firearms in Austria A minor kerfuffle ensued las...

Naomi Hunt - April 24, 2019

How to Grow Up in Vienna

Coming of age in Vienna can be frightening, freeing and exhilarating at the same time - just like growing up. Arriving in Vienna at 14 wa...

Naomi Hunt - March 10, 2019