New Zealand Herald and Auckland Gazette

On 10 July 1841, the first issue of the first Auckland newspaper, the New Zealand Herald and Auckland Gazette, was printed. Published by the Auckland Newspaper and General Printing Company, which was owned by twenty government officials and local businessmen shareholders, the business was run by the most experienced printer in the country at that time, John C Moore. The Company purchased extensive plant and a wide range of types from Sydney and as stated in the prospectus, was intent on publishing an independent newspaper that ‘…contain[s] no misrepresentation, exaggeration or abuse…’. In order to manage the newspaper the shareholders elected five trustees.

Though lasting less than a year, the Herald had in quick succession three capable and articulate editors; Charles Terry (?-1859), William Corbett (c.1810-1894) and Dr Samuel McDonald Martin (c.1805-1848). In fact Terry was the first English settler of Auckland, owner of a modern flax mill and the highly respected author of the widely-read New Zealand, its advantages and prospects, as a British colony …’ published in 1842.

All three editors criticised colonial policies regarding treatment of Māori and land acquisition and all fell foul of the colonial administration, who made up at least half the company shareholders. By August 1841, the majority of the trustees who managed the newspaper were also government officials. Terry resigned, while Corbett was dismissed.

In March 1842, after a number of editorials criticising government officials, the trustees told Moore that he was not to print any more of Martin’s work without their permission. The following month the trustees closed the newspaper down, dissolved the company, and sold the printing plant to the government. In May, Martin sued the trustees for the balance of his salary. He was awarded £641.13s 4d, and this brought to an end the short and turbulent history of Auckland’s first newspaper.