Indian newspapers in NZ

In recent years, the rapidly growing Indian community in New Zealand has established its own newspaper titles. The earliest such home-grown title I’ve traced so far is the New Zealand Indian Times published in Mangere from September 1993 to October 1994. This included content in four languages: English, Hindi, Gujurati and Urdu.

Ref: AWNS-19010215-4-6, a group of officers from the Indian Army, 1901, Sir George Grey Special Collections

The Christchurch based Kiwi Indian, began publication in November 2001, but also lasted little more than a year. By contrast, the Auckland based Indian Newslink was established in November 1999, and is New Zealand’s longest-lasting Indian newspaper (issue 461 came out on 1 July 2020).

Ref: AWNS-19010222-7-2, Indian troops viewing Auckland from the summit of Mt Eden, 1901, Sir George Grey Special Collections

The Indian Times, published in Otahuhu monthly from September 2003 to June 2004, included mostly English content, with a small Hindi language section. It offered local, Indian, Fijian and world news as well as Bollywood and a sports sections.

Ref: AWNS-19120125-10-4, Princess Indira of Baroda, 1912, Sir George Grey Special Collections

Kuk Punjabi Samachar Punjabi (styled the “1st Indian community newspaper in Punjabi language”) has been produced fortnightly from a small office in Papatoetoe since December 2003. The editorial content is mostly international but the advertising is local. Between February 2005 and June 2008 Kuk Punjabi was accompanied by Kuk Hindi Samachar (“1st Hindi newspaper in New Zealand”).

Ref: front page of a recent issue of the Indian Weekender, reproduced by permission of Kiwi Media Group Ltd

The Indian Weekender began publication in March 2009. Styled as the “leading Indian fortnightly newspaper”, it has substantial local, national and international news and commentary. Unlike many Indian titles, the Indian Weekender includes only a light coverage of Bollywood news.

Ref: AWNS-19141105-37-2, Earl Kitchener greets Indian soldiers, 1910, Sir George Grey Special Collections

However, from the only copy that I've seen of the mysterious G Plus ((no. 58, 23 September 2013, subtitled ‘Glamor, Gossip, Grandeur), this newspaper appears to be  completely devoted to Bollywood gossip, apart from a page or two of recipes. The advertising is local and the newspaper has most recently been published in Highland Park.

Ref: AWNS-19010222-10-3, the Indian Regiment marching down Khyber Pass, 1901, Sir George Grey Special Collections

It can be hard to get hold of back copies or long runs of some of the titles mentioned here. Auckland Libraries holds a number of titles in its collections as does the National Library in Wellington holds Indian newspaper titles in its collections.

Author: Bruce Ringer, South Auckland Research Centre