The following is taken from the Papers Past website and copyright belongs to the National Library of New Zealand. For the full description associated with each newspaper please visit the official website.
Taranaki Herald
Published:
New Plymouth, 4 August 1852 to 1989, Jan 1901 to Dec 1909.
The Taranaki Herald was the first newspaper published in Taranaki, with New Plymouth being the last of the early European settlements to get its own newspaper. The paper survived a number of controversies in its early years but the 1970s and 1980s were difficult times for evening newspapers and the Herald ceased publication in 1989.
The Herald was started by William Collins and Garland William Woon. The first issue was published on 4 August 1852. In 1867 the paper was sold to Henry Weston. He was the sole owner till 1920.
Wanganui Herald
Published:
Wanganui, 3 June 1867 to 21 June 1986, Jan 1901 to Sep 1905.
John Ballance established the Wanganui Herald in 1867. He was prominent in local and national politics and was leader of the first Liberal government and premier of New Zealand from 1891 until he died in 1893.
Ballance arrived in Wanganui in 1865 where he set up a shop. He was soon drawn into journalism through his interest in local issues. He wrote occasionally for the Wanganui Times, which at that time was the rival of the established newspaper the Wanganui Chronicle.
In 1867 Ballance bought a press and started a daily newspaper called the Evening Herald, using the paper to express his strong political opinions. He was a member of the Wanganui cavalry troop but was particularly critical of the way military campaigns were conducted against the Maori in the Wanganui area. For this he was arrested and threatened with court martial. Ballance also used the Herald to attack the Chronicle who responded equally strongly. This spirited competition continued until the papers merged in the 1970’s.
Inangahua Times
Published:
Reefton, 1875 to 1942.
The Inangahua Times was published in Reefton from 1875 until it ceased publication in 1942. Initially it was issued three times a week, but by 1891 it came out daily.
The Times was started by William Joseph Potts. Potts had been involved with other newspapers on the West Coast. In 1873 he had edited the Grey Valley Times at Ahaura. In 1874 he started the Reefton Courier but this didn’t last out the year. Potts owned the Times until his death in 1901. His wife ran the paper after his death.
