First issue of Otago Daily Times published

Dunedin became the first New Zealand centre to get a daily newspaper when William Cutten and future Premier Julius Vogel published the first issue of the Otago Daily Times.

The English-born Vogel had earned a reputation as a talented journalist and editor in Victoria during the 1850s. He had a flair for writing and a keen interest in business and public affairs. Vogel arrived in Dunedin in early October 1861 when Otago was in the grip of gold fever. He secured a job on the weekly Otago Colonist, but within weeks had formed a partnership with William Cutten, editor of the rival Otago Witness. Both men believed that the ever-increasing Otago population could support a daily newspaper and the Otago Daily Times was born on 15 November 1861.

Vogel was soon a key figure in the Otago separation movement which advocated, in the first instance, the political separation of the North and South Islands. Under his editorship the ODT became a strong advocate for Otago Province. To this day the newspaper has a reputation for providing comprehensive coverage of the Otago region and advocacy for regional causes.

In November 1864 Cutten terminated his partnership with Vogel and was replaced by Benjamin Farjeon. Farjeon was the ODT’s business manager and also acted as sub-editor, contributor and frequently, compositor. In March 1866 Farjeon and Vogel sold the ODT on condition they were kept on as manager and editor respectively. Farjeon left New Zealand in 1867 and Vogel – by now both an MP and a member of Otago’s Executive Council – left the ODT in April 1868.

Its strong regional focus has allowed the ODT to survive where many of its competitors have fallen by the wayside. One newspaper that gave it a run for its money was the afternoon daily, the Evening Star, which began publication in 1863. In 1975 Otago Daily Times Ltd and the Evening Star Company Ltd merged to form Allied Press Ltd. In 1976 the Star ceased publication, leaving the Otago Daily Times as Allied Press’s flagship newspaper.