Tauranga Record and Bay of Plenty Examiner

The first Bay of Plenty newspaper, the Tauranga Argus and Opotiki Reporter, began in November 1866 while hostilities still played out after the war between Māori and British forces in the area. The weekly paper lasted less than a year.

In mid-June 1867, it morphed into another, similar looking weekly, the Tauranga Record and Bay of Plenty Examiner, published by Henry Ball on Saturdays at 6d a copy. With peace looking more secure, there was considerable optimism which the Daily Southern Cross reported on:

‘There is every reason to believe that a bright future of prosperity is about to open on Tauranga .... The great question of the lands of the natives has been settled to their satisfaction.... The Tauranga Argus having now changed hands, it is proposed to produce this paper on a more extended scale. Its issue will be once a week, and, to commence with, the paper will be the same size as the Argus.... An addition to the plant, about to be procured, will enable the new proprietors to produce a paper superior in appearance to its predecessor.’ (Daily Southern Cross, 29 May 1867: 2)

However, the optimism was premature because military settlers were unable to get onto promised land, the Thames goldfields were an irresistible magnet to many, and relations between Māori and settlers were still volatile.

On 10 August 1867, the Tauranga Record carried the news ‘that a butcher of the name of Canon [Cannon], who had about ten days previously left Opotiki for the purpose of bringing cattle from Whakatane, whilst on his return was waylaid and brutally murdered’. (Evening Post, 17 August 1867: 2)

By 22 February the next year, the Record was roundly pessimistic.

‘ …. a dozen passengers left by the Jane yesterday, and every vessel that leaves bears away a number of our inhabitants. Several of the storekeepers meditate removal, and it appears that the day may not be far distant when the solitary proprietor of the one general store in the place, will view with sorrow the closed shops and traffic-less streets. The minds of a great portion of the population would appear to be occupied with the question of what they shall eat, and wherewithal shall they be clothed without descending to the original fig leaf. In truth the glory of Tauranga may be said to be departed.’ (Bay of Plenty Times, 24 May 1948: 3)

The Colonist reported in July 1868: 'The Tauranga Record, after a twelvemonth existence, ceased to publish on the 29th [June].' (Colonist, 7 July 1868: 3)

The Bay of Plenty Times was successfully launched and subsequently thrived from September 1872. As a later commentator, George Davison, noted ‘Evidently Henry Ball’s pessimism was not justified. The glory of Tauranga must have returned rapidly in the intervening five years.’ (Bay of Plenty Times, 24 May 1948: 3)