Launched in May 1926, the New Zealand Railways Magazine became one of the country’s most popular monthly magazines during the interwar years. This striking image of a train crossing the Makohine Viaduct on the North Island main trunk was designed by leading Railways Studio artist Stanley Davis. It appeared, in different colours, on the cover of the first six issues of the Railways Magazine.
Several serialised features from the New Zealand Railways Magazine were republished as booklets. These included James Cowan’s guide to Maori railway station names and, as seen here, his surveys of the historical and scenic delights on the main trunk lines of the North and South islands.
Neill Atkinson
In the late 1930s the first Labour government strongly promoted New Zealand's publicly owned rail system as a key driver of economic development. This 1938 advertisement from the New Zealand Railways Magazine, starring one of the big K-class locomotives introduced earlier that decade, trumpets New Zealand Railways' commitment to safety, comfort and efficiency.
New Zealand Railways Magazine
By 1935 the New Zealand Railways Magazine had grown to 64 pages, promising more ‘travel, sport, humour, thrills’ for its expanding readership. The magazine’s circulation peaked at over 26,000 around this time.
New Zealand Railways Magazine
Cover of Rugby News (UK), June 1987
The dots on the map, at first glance, mark the cities where matches were played. Yet there are three in far north Queensland and one in Central Otago where no matches were played. Also, several actual New Zealand venues are missing. Was it drawn by someone who did not know Antipodean geography?
Some New Zealand Contingents produced their own newspapers and magazines. 'The Octopus', the cover of which is pictured here, was the journal of the 'Second Battalion of the Eighth Regiment', commenced on board the Cornwall en route to South Africa in February 1902.
The cover of the journal was hand drawn, but the material inside, such as Page One pictured here, was printed.
Geoffrey H. Sollitt
Publications about New Zealand's involvement in the South African War often depicted its soldiers in action scenes. Here two members of the Third Contingent fire upon Boer kommandos (commandos) below, while another New Zealand soldier guards the horses.
The Outlook, April 1900
Some New Zealand contingents produced their own newspapers and magazines. Above is the front page of the 'Gymeric Times', written by members of the Fourth Contingent on board the ship SS Gymeric during their passage to South Africa in April 1900. This copy belonged to Private James Mackley of No. 8 Company. Below is a transcript of the front page:
Printed and published on board H.M. Troopship Gymeric during the voyage from New Zealand to South Africa, and
Newspaper courtesy of Winston Mackley
