Rotorua Daily Post
| Company type | Newspaper |
|---|---|
| Industry | Media |
| Founded | 1885 |
| Founder | Mr Watt |
| Headquarters | Rotorua , New Zealand |
| Products | Newspapers, including Rotorua Daily Post, Rotorua Weekender, Whakatane News, Taupo & Turangi Weekender, Thermal Air |
| Parent | NZME |
The Rotorua Daily Post operates as a primary news source for the central North Island of New Zealand, focusing on the extensive Rotorua district, Taupō, and adjacent localities.
History
Originating in 1885 under the name Hot Lakes Chronicle, the publication gained significant recognition for its coverage of the 1886 Mount Tarawera eruption. Founded by Mr Watt, ownership subsequently transferred to his spouse before being sold to Queensland immigrant David Gardner in 1905. Gardner’s sons, Robin and Russell, assumed control in 1918. The newspaper initially appeared weekly but switched to a twice-weekly schedule under Gardner’s leadership to compete with a rival title. Beginning as a broadsheet, it adopted a compact format in 2013.
Other publications
In addition to the Rotorua Daily Post, the company produces:
Rotorua Weekender
A complimentary weekly edition distributed every Friday to residences throughout the greater Rotorua region.
Whakatane News
This free weekly paper is delivered every Thursday to households across the broader Eastern Bay of Plenty area.
The Taupo & Turangi Weekender
Distributed at no cost on a weekly basis, this publication reaches homes across the larger Taupo and Turangi districts.
Thermal Air
A weekly tourism guide highlighting local points of interest, Thermal Air is circulated to visitor centers nationwide and all lodging establishments within Rotorua and nearby areas.
Hamilton News
Previously a weekly Friday issue serving Hamilton and surrounding communities, Hamilton News was rebranded as Waikato News in May 2020.
Te Awamutu Courier
The Te Awamutu Courier, a twice-weekly community newspaper published on Tuesdays and Thursdays, discontinued operations at the close of 2024.
History
Te Awamutu’s inaugural newspaper, Te Pihoihoi Mokemoke, published in te reo Māori and edited by John Eldon Gorst, was launched as a counterpoint to the Māori King’s publication, Te Hokioi. Only five editions were issued in early 1863 before a Ngāti Maniapoto faction confiscated the printing press.
The Waipa Post commenced publication on 18 April 1911, founded by Arthur George Warburton (1888–1956), formerly affiliated with New Zealand Herald. On 17 April 1936, it was renamed Te Awamutu Courier to better represent the community’s evolving identity. Following Arthur’s passing, leadership transferred first to his son George, then to grandson John in 1986, who remained at the helm until 2008. The newspaper was acquired by Wilson and Horton (now NZME) in 1992. Up until 1998, the Courier employed a workforce of 35 producing newspapers alongside other printed materials.
In 2014, the office moved from Alexandra Street to Sloane Street. A free weekly edition reviving the Waipa Post title was launched in 2018 but ceased publication due to Covid-19 lockdown measures. In December 2024, NZME announced the shutdown of fourteen local North Island newspapers, including the Te Awamutu Courier, attributing closures to shrinking advertising income and increasing distribution expenses. Other titles affected included the Hauraki-Coromandel Post, Katikati Advertiser, and Napier Courier. Certain publications such as the Taupō & Tūrangi Herald continued operations following editor-led buyouts.