Brief Introduction of Hamish McKenzie
Hamish McKenzie is a prominent figure in the digital media landscape, best known as the co-founder of Substack, a revolutionary online platform that empowers writers to launch subscription-based newsletters. A native of New Zealand, McKenzie’s journey to entrepreneurial success was paved with a rich and diverse career in journalism. He has worked for various publications across the globe, covering a wide array of topics from technology and social issues to culture and politics. His path also included a significant stint as the lead writer for Tesla, where he worked closely with Elon Musk, an experience that culminated in his authoring of “Insane Mode: How Elon Musk’s Tesla Sparked an Electric Revolution to End the Age of Oil.” McKenzie’s profound understanding of the challenges faced by writers in the traditional media ecosystem was a driving force behind the creation of Substack, which has since become a transformative force for independent publishing.
Hamish McKenzie Overview
| Full Name | Hamish McKenzie |
| Date of Birth | Information not disclosed. |
| Age(as of 2025) | Information not disclosed. |
| Birthplace | Alexandra, Central Otago, New Zealand. |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, writer, journalist. |
| Husband/Wife | Steph McKenzie. |
| Family | He has two young sons with his wife, Steph. The loss of his brother at a young age has been a significant influence in his life. |
| Relationship/Affairs(GF/BF) | Not publicly available. |
| Net Worth | Not publicly available. |
Early Life and Education of Hamish McKenzie
Hamish McKenzie was born and raised in Alexandra, a small town in the South Island of New Zealand. From a young age, he harbored a passion for writing, aspiring to be a journalist since he was a child. This ambition guided his academic pursuits. He attended the University of Otago, where he earned a first-class honours degree in English. During his time at university, he was actively involved in student journalism, working for the student magazine, Critic, for four years, eventually becoming its editor. This experience solidified his desire to pursue a career in journalism. Following his graduation from Otago, McKenzie furthered his education abroad, obtaining a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Western Ontario in Canada. A little-known fact about his heritage is that he is part Māori.
Hamish McKenzie’s Career
Hamish McKenzie’s career is a testament to his versatility as a writer and his forward-thinking approach to the media industry. After completing his master’s degree, he embarked on an international journalism career, moving to Hong Kong with the intention of reporting on China’s rise as a global superpower. In Hong Kong, he worked for various magazines, covering digital marketing, culture, and the local entertainment scene, and helped launch Time Out magazine in the city. After four years in Asia, he relocated to the United States with his then-girlfriend, now wife, Steph. As a freelance journalist in the U.S., his work appeared in prestigious publications such as The Guardian and the Toronto Star. His reporting covered a vast range of subjects, from the World Beard and Moustache Championships to in-depth pieces on politics and social issues. A significant turning point in his career came when he joined PandoDaily, a tech news publication, where he covered startups and technology companies. This role led to an extraordinary opportunity to work as the lead writer for Tesla, under the leadership of Elon Musk. This immersive experience provided the material for his book, “Insane Mode: How Elon Musk’s Tesla Sparked an Electric Revolution to End the Age of Oil,” which chronicles the innovative and disruptive journey of the electric car company. Following his time at Tesla and while writing his book, McKenzie also worked as an advisor to the messaging app company Kik, where he connected with his future Substack co-founder, Chris Best. The idea for Substack emerged from conversations with Best about the flawed incentive systems of the attention-based media economy. They, along with Jairaj Sethi, founded Substack in 2017 with the mission to create a platform that would allow writers to be paid directly by their readers, fostering a media ecosystem based on trust rather than clicks. The platform quickly gained traction, attracting high-profile writers and proving the viability of the subscription model for independent content creators. By November 2021, Substack had amassed over 500,000 paying subscribers.
Hamish McKenzie Personal Life & Family
Hamish McKenzie maintains a relatively private personal life. He is married to Steph, whom he moved to the United States with from Hong Kong. Together, they have two young sons. McKenzie has expressed that spending quality time with his family is a priority, and he enjoys activities such as getting out into nature, attending live music gigs, and going for long walks. He currently resides in San Francisco, the headquarters of Substack. In a personal interview, he revealed that the loss of his brother when he was 11 and his brother was 14 was a profoundly influential event in his life. He also mentioned being of part Māori descent, a detail not widely known. McKenzie has also spoken about the emotional highs and lows of being a founder, acknowledging the public scrutiny that comes with running a company in the media industry.
Awards and Achievements of Hamish McKenzie
- Information not disclosed.
Hamish McKenzie Net Worth and Income
While an exact figure for Hamish McKenzie’s net worth is not publicly available, the success of Substack provides some indication of his financial achievements. In July 2025, Substack raised $168 million at a valuation of $1.8 billion. As a co-founder, McKenzie holds a significant stake in the company. Substack’s business model is based on taking a 10% cut of the subscription revenue generated by writers on the platform. The top ten writers on the platform were collectively earning more than $20 million annually as of mid-2021. While McKenzie’s personal income is not disclosed, the company’s growth and valuation point to a substantial net worth.
Legacy and Influence
Hamish McKenzie’s most significant legacy is undoubtedly the creation of Substack, which has had a profound impact on the media landscape. The platform has provided a viable and lucrative alternative for writers who were disillusioned with the traditional advertising-driven media model. It has empowered countless journalists, authors, and experts to build their own independent publications and cultivate direct relationships with their audiences. McKenzie’s vision was to create a media ecosystem that values trust and quality over sensationalism and clickbait, and Substack is a tangible manifestation of that vision. He has been a vocal advocate for a new model of journalism where writers have more autonomy and can be compensated directly for their work. His influence extends beyond the platform itself; he has contributed to a broader conversation about the future of media and the importance of supporting independent voices. In May 2025, an essay he wrote inspired a TED talk titled “This is What the Future of Media Looks Like,” further cementing his role as a thought leader in the industry.
Interesting Facts about Hamish McKenzie
- He is part Māori.
- As a child, he aspired to be a journalist and even wrote a series about crocodiles trapped in a toilet at the age of eight.
- He once covered the World Beard and Moustache Championships as a freelance journalist.
- The loss of his older brother at a young age had a significant impact on his life.
- He considers starting Substack and seeing it positively change writers’ lives as his greatest achievement.
Controversies
Substack, and by extension Hamish McKenzie as its co-founder, has faced criticism regarding its content moderation policies. In late 2023, the platform came under fire for allowing extremist views, including those of white nationalists and antisemites, to be published. An open letter from over 100 Substack creators urged the leadership to take a stronger stance against bigotry on the platform. In response, McKenzie defended the company’s position, stating that attempting to censor such views would ultimately worsen the problem. This stance led to some prominent writers leaving the platform in protest. The debate highlights the ongoing challenges that platforms like Substack face in balancing free speech with the need to prevent the spread of harmful content.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram – Information not disclosed.
- Twitter – He is active on Substack’s “Notes” feature, which has a similar microblogging format. He has over 20,000 subscribers on his personal Substack.
- YouTube – Not publicly available.
Final Words about Hamish McKenzie
Hamish McKenzie continues to be a driving force at Substack, serving as the company’s Chief Writing Officer. His journey from a young aspiring writer in a small New Zealand town to the co-founder of a billion-dollar tech company is a remarkable story of passion, perseverance, and vision. He remains deeply committed to Substack’s mission of empowering writers and reshaping the media landscape for the better. As the digital media world continues to evolve, McKenzie’s influence is likely to grow, with Substack poised to play an even more significant role in how information is created, distributed, and consumed. He and his team are continually exploring new ways to support creators, including recent pilot programs for sponsorships to help writers earn more revenue. His focus remains on building a more sustainable and equitable future for writers and fostering a culture of trust between creators and their audiences.
