Why a local paper?

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 1, 31 May 1983, Page 1

Why a local paper?

The Waimarino has been without its own local community newspaper for nearly six months and the question has often been asked: Tf or when' are we to have another? Since the demise of the Waimarino Weekly last year and the brave attempt of the short-lived Raetihi and Ohakune News to fill the gap earlier this year, the need for a local newspaper that will identify specifically with the community has built up to a point where only one option was available ... to start another. Well here it is at last and we feel confident, from the survey we have done in the Waimarino, that the Bulletin will succeed where others have failed. And, what's more, the Bulletin will be an entirely local, self-contained Waimarino operation and enterprise, whereas the

others depended on typesetting and printing facilities outside the region. Instead, we will report on the news in the region, that news will be set on a modern comp.uterised photo-typsetter, the pictures will be processed locally, the artwork and assembly will be done in Ohakune, and then it will be printed, collated, folded and distributed from Raetihi to paper delivery boys and girls and rural delivery contractors who will ensure that you get your weekly copy of the Bulletin. So, after nearly two months of researching alternatives, preparing the groundwork, inspecting premises, organising the logistics, arranging finance and appointing staff, here we are with our first edition. Two thousand five hundred copies of Bulletin will be distributed throughout

the Ruapehu region each week to individual . households and businesses, to isolated farms and crowded motels, hotels, and ski chalets. wide range of local news about people and events together with advertising specifically related to the region. We will use the Rural Delivery service, the Post Office, special couriers and newspaper delivery boys and girls to ensure that you get your weekly copy of the Bulletin. We look to the local business community to support this enterprise for it is only by their advertising that we can bring the local news to you each week free of charge. And we look to you, the reader, to supply us with the news . . . we do not create the news ourselves — we simply report it.