Whanganui Chronicle
| Company type | Newspaper |
|---|---|
| Industry | Media, Publishing |
| Founded | September 18, 1856 in Petre (now Whanganui), New Zealand |
| Headquarters | Whanganui , New Zealand |
Area served | Whanganui, Ruapehu, Rangitīkei districts |
Key people | Gilbert Carson (owner and editor from 1875) |
| Products | Daily newspaper |
| Owner | NZME |
The Whanganui Chronicle holds the distinction of being the longest-running newspaper in New Zealand. Headquartered in Whanganui, it celebrated its 160th anniversary in September 2016. This publication functions as the primary daily news source for the Whanganui, Ruapehu, and Rangitīkei districts, including communities such as Patea, Waverley, Bulls, Marton, Raetihi, Ohakune, and National Park.
History
The concept for a newspaper in Petre (now Whanganui) was initially suggested by local resident Henry Stokes; however, production was postponed due to the absence of printing machinery. Collaborating with Rev. Charles Nicholls from Wanganui Collegiate School, they constructed an improvised printing press made from wood and iron. This enabled the release of the first Wanganui Chronicle edition on 18 September 1856.
The publication adopted the motto "Verite Sans Peur," translating from French as "Truth without Fear."
Originally issued every two weeks at six pence per copy, the Chronicle increased its frequency to three times weekly in 1866 and transitioned to a daily format starting in 1871. Gilbert Carson took ownership and editorial control in 1875. During the 1880s, his sister Margaret Bullock served as a reporter and assistant editor, becoming one of New Zealand’s pioneering female parliamentary correspondents alongside Laura Jane Suisted. In the 1920s, editor Iris Wilkinson—who later gained recognition as poet and novelist Robin Hyde—made notable contributions to New Zealand’s cultural landscape.
Beginning in 1867, The Evening Herald (which was later renamed The Wanganui Herald) emerged as a competitor, founded by John Ballance. The two newspapers consolidated under shared ownership during the 1970s; by 1986, the Herald was converted into a free weekly titled Wanganui Midweek. Today, the Chronicle continues as Whanganui’s sole daily newspaper.
Recent History
Following the merger of APN News and Media with The Radio Network, NZME acquired the Whanganui Chronicle in September 2014. The paper is part of NZME’s portfolio of 32 publications, which includes titles such as The New Zealand Herald and Bay of Plenty Times. Its operations are based at NZME’s Guyton Street offices alongside other media outlets like Newstalk ZB, The Hits, and OneRoof.
On 10 September 2018, the newspaper officially revised its name to Whanganui Chronicle, aligning with the district’s corrected Māori spelling that has been officially recognized since December 2015.
By September 2020, average readership per issue among individuals aged 15 and over reached 23,000—a rise of 8,000 compared to 2019 and an increase of 3,000 since March 2020. The Chronicle enjoys some of New Zealand’s highest readership rates relative to population size.