The Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle explained

The Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle (also known as The Nelson [Daily] Examiner, was the first newspaper published in New Zealand's South Island. It was launched in 1842 by Charles Elliott (1811–1876), a few weeks after New Zealand Company settlers arrived in Nelson. In its early years the newspaper was criticised for its supposed lack of independence and for being merely a mouthpiece for the New Zealand Company.^[1]

Brothers Charles and James Elliott came to Nelson on one of the first four immigrant ships, the Mary Jane, which arrived in Nelson Harbour on 10 February 1842.^[2] They brought a printing press with them and the first edition was published on 12 March 1842.^{[3] [4]}

The paper began as a weekly, was published twice weekly from July 1854,^[5] and went daily in July 1873.^[6] The newspaper folded in the face of competition in 1874.^[7]

Digital copies of all issues are available online via the National Library of New Zealand.^[7]

Notes and References

1. The Australian, 28 June 1845, p.4 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/37156940?searchTerm=Australian%20circulation&searchLimits=exactPhrase|||anyWords|||notWords|||requestHandler|||dateFrom|||dateTo|||sortby|||l-state=New+South+Wales|||l-decade=184|||l-title=50
2. News: List of ships which have entered Nelson Haven . 12 January 2020 . Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle . I . 1 . 12 March 1842 . 4.
3. News: Sudden death of Mr. Chas. Elliott . 12 January 2020 . . XI . 166 . 5 July 1876 . 2.
4. Web site: Pears . Maddy . Early newspapers in Nelson . The Prow . 12 January 2020.
5. https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NENZC18540624.2.8 Editorial leader, p 4
6. https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NENZC18730702.2.7 Editorial:To Our Readers
7. Web site: The Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle . Papers Past . 12 January 2020.