New Zealand Graphic

The New Zealand Graphic and Ladies’ Journal (1890-1908), later known as the Weekly Graphic and New Zealand Mail (1908-1913) was an illustrated weekly journal containing a variety of literature, special features, society gossip and fashion notes. It was the first of its kind to use photo-engraving in New Zealand.

First published in May 1890, the Graphic was started by newspaper proprietor, historian and one-time Mayor of Auckland Sir Henry Brett (1843-1927). Brett also published the Auckland Star, the New Zealand Farmer, and co-founded the Brett Printing and Publishing Company in 1900 in partnership with Thomson Leys.

Incorporating earlier publications the New Zealand Family Friend and Auckland Tit Bits, the New Zealand Graphic was first issued to much praise; with the Evening Post stating that ‘altogether, the New Zealand Graphic is a very meritorious literary production and should command a large body of subscribers’ (Evening Post 28 May 1890: 2).

Among some of the first New Zealand publishers to employ permanent artists, the Graphic’s regular cartoonists included Ashley Hunter, Vyvyan Hunt and Trevor Lloyd. The Graphic also regularly featured work from artists and photographers Thomas Ryan, Kennett Watkins, Frederick Radcliffe and Robert B Walrond.

The Graphic, while known for publishing work by established English authors, also helped start the careers of some New Zealand authors. Katherine Mansfield’s first known formally published work ‘His Little Friend’ was submitted to the Graphic’s Children’s Page under the name Kathleen Beauchamp (aged 11) in 1900. Additionally, Margaret Bullock (nee Carson) under the pseudonym Tua-o-rangi wrote the popular ‘Utu’; first published in serialised form in the Graphic and later published as a novel in 1894.

One notable edition of the Graphic was during ‘fleet week’ when sixteen American battleships visited New Zealand in August 1908. According to the Auckland Star, ‘never in the history of illustrated journalism in the Dominion, has such a phenomenal demand arisen as that which set in yesterday morning for the special fleet issue’ (Auckland Star 13 August 1908: 4) with the publishing department running frantic to keep up with the public demand.

In 1908 the Wellington-based New Zealand Mail was incorporated into the Graphic. To reflect this change the Graphic was renamed the Weekly Graphic and New Zealand Mail.

Five years later Wilson and Horton, publishers of the New Zealand Herald and the Auckland Weekly News, bought the Graphic and incorporated it into the Auckland Weekly News. The last issue of the Graphic was published on 25 June 1913.