Story: Māori newspapers and magazines – ngā niupepa me ngā moheni

Te Karere o Nui Tireni

The first issue of Te Karere o Nui Tireni (meaning the messenger of New Zealand) was published on 1 January 1842. This government-sponsored publication was the first Māori-language newspaper. The first page reads, in part:

He pukapuka hou tenei, katahi ka taia: e ui mai ana pea te tokomaha o te tangata,- "he pukapuka aha ra tenei?" He pukapuka ra tenei, kia mohio ai te tangata maori ki nga tikanga me nga ritenga o te Pakeha, kia mohio ai ano hoki te Pakeha ki nga ritenga o te tangata maori,- E wakaaro ana te tokomaha o nga Pakeha me nga tangata maori,- he pukapuka pai tenei ka mutu hoki te noho kuare a tetahi ki tetahi.--Na, ko ia enei ko nga mea e tuhituhia ki te pukapuka nei,- Ko nga tikanga a te kawana,- ka tahi,- Ko nga ture a te Kuini,- ka rua,- ko nga tikanga wakawa, me nga hara e wakawakia ai te tangata,--mo te tini noa atu o nga tikanga Pakeha ;--

A translation is:

This is a new newspaper which has just now been printed. Many will ask, 'What type of newspaper is this?' The purpose of this newspaper is to inform Māori about the laws and customs of Pākehā and to inform Pākehā about the customs of Māori. The majority of Pākehā and Māori will find this newspaper useful to help dispel ignorance between the two groups. Here are the topics of this newspaper. First, the rules of the Governor. Second, the laws of the Queen. That is, the laws against which people will be judged and any other relevant Pākehā rules and laws.

Using this item

Niupepa: Maori newspapers
Reference: Te Karere o Nui Tireni, 1 Hanuere (January), 1842, p.1

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How to cite this page:

Jane McRae, 'Māori newspapers and magazines – ngā niupepa me ngā moheni - Role of Māori newspapers', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/zoomify/42397/te-karere-o-nui-tireni (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Jane McRae, published 22 Oct 2014