How can I quickly come to grips with journalist/editor basics?

Learn your publication's style guide (usually the AP Stylebook in the US, don't know what they use in New Zealand).

Besides finding an ally or two in the office (both folks with a similar job description and the people you'll be handing files off to—make friends with your copy editor!!) who can help get you up to speed with minute-to-minute procedures and practices ASAP, I'd say start by deconstructing pieces in the recent issues that are most like what you'll be expected to produce, looking for templates/formulas for article structure, topics, takes and tone of voice that you can flow your ideas and background into. Unless you've explicitly been hired or asked to bring your existing style/personality to the mag, or to help them create something new, the best way to keep your editor happy will be to give her what she's used to, both with your copy and with your story ideas. Obviously, you'll want to retain your own voice in your writing, and use your own passion for the topic to guide your story searches. But it's more likely that there's a house "way" that you need to get than that they'll want everything you do to have your stamp all over it. So the sooner you can channel yourself in the manner that your boss thinks is already working (and that she's already getting her boss to love), the better. She's really your only audience, so find out fast what she likes by looking closely at what she's already approved.

No degree necessary--and this is coming from someone who has one. * Learn about your audience. Get to know their needs, both those that they state overtly and those that are more psychological. Learn about their reactions to what you're doing. Use this information as a beacon for every decision. * Trust in your own knowledge of design. * Follow Jacqueline's suggestion above, but remember that they call it "style" and not "iron-clad rules one must follow upon pain of death." As long as you're *consistent* in applying a style choice, it's fine. No one needs to die over hyphen placement or whether to abbreviate something. * You have an advantage as a (former) freelancer, because you'll already know that there can never be too much communication before and during the reporting/writing process about what the story should cover and how it should be presented. You should be able to cultivate productive freelancer relationships more easily. * Don't get wrapped up in what the folks on the business side of the publication have to say. Don't ignore them completely or treat them like enemy combatants. But when in doubt, refer to my first bullet point. * When it comes to editing, get to the freaking point already. Be merciless with the superfluous in your own writing and that of your contributors. Make sure every sentence moves the plot forward rather than repeating what's already been said. * Use bullet points a lot. (Or maybe that's just me.)