The Auckland Weekly News

This popular publication from the past used to capture the current affairs and events of both New Zealand and the world with superb photographs and news reports.

The “Weekly News” was founded in 1861. It merged with “The Weekly Herald” in 1863 to become “The Auckland Weekly News”.   As well as Auckland events, it covered national and international news, Royal visits, people, wars, disasters, celebrations and current affairs. It became a family favourite capturing the New Zealand way of life.

It was a pioneer with photography – in 1898 they started including a glossy centrespread supplement with many black and white photographs. The journal itself had a pink iconic cover. To reflect their coverage in 1934 they changed their name back to “Weekly News” and to “New Zealand Weekly News” in 1965. The format changed when colour printing started. It was a sad loss when the paper folded in 1971.

Many of the papers are available for browsing in the Waikato Special Collections Room on level 3 of Central Library. Request them from the Heritage and Archives staff. Keep in mind that some of the older copies are very delicate!

The Auckland Weekly News storeroom

Copies from the seventies

Royalty featured a lot in these publications