University seeks old Maori newspapers

Tu Tangata, Issue 7, 1 August 1982, Page 19

University seeks old Maori newspapers

Victoria University’s Department of Maori Studies is anxious to find copies of old Maori newspapers to build up its Library resources for teaching and research. It says readers may be able to help them.

“Copies of these newspapers are rare and costly and they are treasures which we want to see carefully conserved and made accessible for study purposes,” said the professor of Maori Studies, Mr Sidney Mead.

“We are hoping that there might be people with copies of “Te Pake o Matariki”, “Te Toa Takitini”, “Te Pipiwharauroa” or “Te Puke Ki Hikurangi” who may donate them to the Departments Library.

“Te Pipiwharauroa” was produced 1898-1913. Printed by Herbert Williams and published in Gisborne at the Te Rau Press, then attached to Te Rau Kahikatea College, a theological college for the Anglican Church. It later became known as “Te Kopara” in 1913 and then resurrected as “Te Toa Takitini” in 1921 and lasted until late 1932.

The newspaper “Te Puke Ki Hikurangi” lasted from December 1877-1913. It was produced in the Wairarapa by the regular congregation of Maori high chiefs who met at Papawai Marae, Greytown.

This group held the intellectuals of the Maori world of the day. “Te Pu Ki Hikurangi” contains models of fine translations into Maori of Government legislation of that time.

“Te Paki o Matariki”, the King Movement publication, was printed from 1891-1924. The Maori Studies Department are interested in early copies of

this publication.