New Zealand Illustrated Magazine was launched in October 1899 with bold claims that it marked a time 'when the new country ceases to be a mere appanage of the old'. 'The young scion of New Zealand national life has begun to awake', the editors wrote. These aspirations were reflected in this cover of the magazine from September 1900, which was the second version used. Two expressions of national culture are illustrated: in the title panel we see the indigenous flora of flax and fern, and in the borders Māori art and traditions are represented. The central panel varied from issue to issue, but on this occasion the spectacular waterfall was intended to convey a message of the beauty of the land.
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Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference:
New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, vol. 1, no.2, 1900, cover
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.
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