Te Manuhiri Tuarangi 1861

Maori Intelligencer

Bibliographic Details    Background    Subject Matter    Availability

Bibliographic Details

Published Auckland, March 1, 1861-November 15, 1861.

250 x 200mm., number of pages vary, double columns, English and Maori, issued nominally fortnightly, no illustrations except for the Royal Coat of Arms on the masthead, cost not given, probably freely distributed, advertisements (official), coloured paper wrappers with the title and table of contents. The paper was printed by W. C. Wilson of Auckland.

Given the similarity in style of Te Karere Maori to later issues, of which Walter Buller was editor, it seems likely that he also edited Te Manuhiri. Other contributors to this paper included Dr. Edward Shortland, Charles Davis, F. Fenton, H. Munro, T. H. Smith, D. Burn, and T. Forsaith.

The editorial in the first issue claimed that the paper is more comprehensive and more widely circulated than previous Messengers. Correspondents in each Maori district were appointed to provide local news.

For further physical details refer to Herbert W. Williams, A Bibliography of Printed Maori to 1900, Item 335.

This paper is written in English with Maori translation.

Background

The newspaper's masthead contained the motto "Kia whakakotahitia te Maori me te Pakeha" [Let the Maori and Pakeha be united]. The first issue stated that the aim of the newspaper is to promote "the complete union of the Pakeha and Maori races in New Zealand/ka mau tonu ta matou whakaaro ki te tikanga whakakotahi i te Maori i te Pakeha ki Niu Tirani" (March 1, 1861: 4). Te Manuhiri is a continuation of The Maori Messenger. It was published:

• to instruct and enlighten you [both Maori and Pakeha] in all matters affecting your welfare, and to afford you a medium for the full and free expression of your opinions on all questions that may concern or interest you
• hei nupepa ako, whakamarama hoki i a koutou ki nga mea katoa e tupu ai te oranga; kia ai putanga hoki mo a koutou reta ana pai koutou ki te tuhituhi mai, ki te whaka nui mai i a koutou na whakaaro ki tena mea ki tena mea-ki nga meakatoa e ahuarekatia ana, e matenuitia ana e koutou (ibid. : 3-4).

The last issue under the title of Te Manuhiri Tuarangi and Maori Messenger was published on November 15, 1861. From this time the paper continued for a further two years under the title of Te Karere Maori or Maori Messenger.

Subject Matter

Contents and topics include:

• letters to the Governor from all parts of New Zealand
• speeches and proclamations by the Governor
• public notices including legislation
• biographies of notable people
• news from districts throughout New Zealand
• short digests of news from English language newspapers
• verbatim reports of meetings held throughout New Zealand between the Governor and Maori tribes, including one in Canterbury.

Availability

This newspaper is on microfilm and microfiche. Original copies of this newspaper are held at:

Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington:

1861	March-Nov.

Auckland Institute and Museum Library:

1861	March 1, May 15, July 15,Nov. 15 (Nov. 15 imperfect)

Auckland Public Library:

1861	July 1, Aug. 1, Sept. 2, Oct. 1 and 15 (July 1 imperfect)

Auckland University Library:

1861	April 15, June, Aug. 15, Oct. (April 15 imperfect)

Hocken Library, Dunedin:

1861	March-Nov.

New Plymouth Public Library:

1861	March-Nov.

The Parliamentary Library, Wellington:

1861	March-Nov.