Hutt Valley Independent

The Hutt Valley Independent was started by Angus McCurdy in 1911. McCurdy was a significant figure in the development of Upper Hutt, both socially and politically. To him can be attributed the first Town Board in 1907, the first cinema, the debate for gas lighting within Upper Hutt and the first newspaper, the Hutt Valley Independent. McCurdy went on to become the first Mayor of Upper Hutt in 1926.

The Hutt Valley Independent documents the radical changes happening in Upper Hutt during the period 1911-1933; public services such as gas lighting and the establishment of a borough council being two examples. As it was the only community newspaper available at that time, it is a key resource for researchers and genealogists.