Me, when I took over as Editor of the Bush Telegraph.
By Leanne Warr and Nikki O’Leary
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the closure of the Bush Telegraph under the banner of NZME publications.
The paper has a long history, with many changes, from the name to its ownership.
The first paper started in the area was the Pahīatua Star, in 1886.
Back then, it was a bi-weekly and cost 3d (threepence), which was considered a lot of money.
Then the Pahīatua Herald came along in 1893 and absorbed the Star.
This paper came out three times a week and would later expand to eight pages, eventually becoming a daily.
In 1943, the Pahīatua Herald was renamed the North Wairarapa Herald and covered a larger area but it only lasted until 1954, when it became the North Wairarapa News.
At that time, the paper was owned by GR David, who in 1960 sold the paper to Cyril Carle, the father of Steve Carle, who was editor of the Bush Telegraph until May 2023, and the paper’s name was changed in 1977 to the Bush Telegraph.
According to an article in 2016 detailing the paper’s 130-year history, Cyril had been working as a chief reporter for the Wairarapa Times-Age when he bought the-then North Wairarapa News.
The seeds of the name change were apparently sown when Cyril’s farewell card after leaving the Times-Age included a message “Good luck with the Bush Telegraph”.
Steve began working for the Bush Telegraph at age 10 and other than stints at The Dominion as a printer, spent much of his working life there.
The business was sold in 2003 to what was then APN.
In 2014, APN NZ merged with The Radio Network and GrabOne to be rebranded NZME.
Steve moved to Whanganui in May 2023 to take up a role as editor of Whanganui Midweek and I took over as editor, after two years working as a multimedia journalist for Hawke’s Bay Today, based in Dannevirke.
Nikki O’Leary has a long history herself, both as a sports journalist and as a senior media specialist. She joined the Bush Telegraph in 2011.
The reason given for the closure of the Bush Telegraph, along with 13 other community publications, was that the network had become unprofitable.
However, the company has been in negotiations with various parties interested in purchasing some of the titles.
We are hopeful that the Bush Telegraph can continue under independent ownership so all we can say for now is, “Watch this space”.
In the meantime, I would like to thank all those I have interviewed, and featured in the stories I have published in the past 18 months. While I believe in the importance of informing our public on issues that impact the whole community, I also believe in the power of people and the joy of telling stories about the amazing and wonderful things people do in this district. Each and every one of those stories leaves me smiling.
So, to you, our readers, thank you for letting me, and the Bush Telegraph, be part of your lives and tell your stories.
And from Nikki:
I’d like to thank everyone for your support over the 13 years I have been involved with the Bush Telegraph.
The kindness shown by the people of the Tararua District, and beyond, since the closure of our beloved paper was first mooted has been overwhelming but very appreciated.
To my wonderful clients, thank you for trusting me with your advertising. I’m really going to miss being part of your business family.
I have made many friends during my time here so it isn’t goodbye, thank goodness, or this would be even harder.
Thanks for the memories. I’d like to wish you all a Meri Kirihimete and a happy and safe New Year.
Kia ora, Nikki.
