| p.1 | [Editorial] |
| Explains the newspaper will be organised according to Maori custom. Describes the newspaper as eyes for Maori to observe the deeds of the country and other parts of the world, as ears to hear the dialogue from overseas and other places, as a tongue to express opinions about good deeds done for Maori, as hands to do the deeds required, and as a mind and heart to assess methods to bring about goodness. | |
| Discusses the origin of past Maori-language newspapers and reviews their effectiveness and character. Discusses the involvement of Rewi [Maniapoto] in the demise of Te Pihoihoi Mokemoke i runga i te Tuanui and its printing press, the wars between the Queen's soldiers and Maori, and the effects on Maori in the region. Discusses and reviews the newspapers Te Waka Maori and Te Wananga, the subsequent Supreme Court trial that ended the publication of Te Waka Maori, and the birth of Korimako. | |
| Explains that the failure of these newspapers is owed to a lack of support from Maori, and that whereas Pakeha newspapers are supported by access to various avenues of financial support, Maori-owned newspapers need revenue from land to survive. | |
| Explains that Aotearoa is for the benefit of Maori only and not for Pakeha, that it will respond to issues of government, legislation, the Native Land Court and other courts that wish to define Maori practices and customs, and also act as a newsletter for gatherings, schools, public events, agriculture and all other matters relevant to Maori. Requests correspondents submit only positive opinions and responses. | |
| Acknowledges support from named participants at the Te Kotahitanga movement gathering at Waitangi and lists the motions passed. | |
| pp.1-3 | The judgement about Ōmahu |
| Discusses the relevance of knowledge and teachings about the conquest of land by Tāraia I, the effect of the conquest on future generations of Ngāti Whatumāmoa and Ngāti Te Upokoiri and the contemporary state of residence and habitation. Names several informants and relates the tribal history of Ōmahu land block. | |
| Offers opinions regarding evidence given to and decisions made by the Native Land Court hearing, with special reference to conquest by war, desecration of tapu [sacred or restricted sites], land occupation, Native Land Court judgements about events before 1840, and the definition of wasteland. Refers to a case known as Ōākura as a possible precedent for a judgement regarding Ōmahu. | |
| Discusses the issue of land considered as wasteland and the effects of stringent geographical boundary lines as established by Pakeha law courts on relevant hapū [tribal groups]. | |
| Names claimants for the Ōmahu hearing. | |
| p.3 | The newspapers printed here in the past |
| Lists the newspapers, Te Pihoihoi Mokemoke i runga i te Tuanui, Te Hokioi, Te Waka Maori, Te Wananga, and Te Korimako, the identities the newspapers were printed by, and for whom. | |
| The death of Pāora Tūhaere of Waitemata, and the death of Pāora Kaiwhata of Moteo | |
| Gives biographies of Pāora Tūhaere and Pāora Kaiwhata. | |
| [The emergence of the Te Kotahitanga movement] | |
| Outlines attempts by Te Karimena [Cadman] and Timi Kara [James Carroll] to represent Maori issues from particular ministerial positions, through the Native Land Court and the Department for Native Land Acquisition. Explains that attempts such as these and the establishment of the Te Kotahitanga movement will aid the Maori struggle but that there is still much work to be done for the benefit and advancement of Maori people. | |
| Discusses the decision by Tāwhiao to accept a pension from the Government and suggests that this action will precede the end of the King Movement and the beginning of unity between Maori and Pakeha. | |
| Acknowledges and names many Maori personalities who have supported the authority of Queen Victoria, and who have fought against the Waikato and Te Hauhau movements and their own people for this purpose. Notes the effects of their action. | |
| The new Governor | |
| Describes the new Governor, Te Era o Karahiko [The Earl of Glasgow], as an old helmsman of the Navy, and hopes he will be as supportive of Maori as past governors. Describes the events of the new Governor's welcome to Wellington and the involvement of a Maori woman in welcoming the Governor's wife. | |
| Explains that there are many topics and issues to be printed, such as news from overseas and discussions from the Te Kotahitanga movement at Hastings. Requests readers to be patient. Explains that if the newspaper dies it will be caused by Maori wrongs. | |
| Advises a correspondence address and a meeting at Wairoa to discuss the purpose of the newspaper. | |
| To the printer of Aotearoa | |
| From Te Rautonga in support of the newspaper as an avenue for Maori opinions after the demise of Te Waka Maori and Te Wananga. Considers that there are many problems for Maori caused by the Maori Land Court and within Parliament. | |
| pp.4-5 | Within the legislation of Parliament, concerning Maori land |
| Outlines the evolution of Parliament since 1853. Considers that although some of the legislation by Pakeha is good, much of it is constituted for the benefit of Pakeha settlers. Explains Maori relationships with the land and the effect of colonial systems on land ownership in the 52 years since the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Discusses events such as the Wairau massacre and the involvement of particular Pakeha. | |
| Discusses the government's response to Maori issues and Maori land as a trampling of the Treaty of Waitangi. Explains this response as a reason for Hōne Heke's rebellion. Criticises the subsequent derogation to Maori of land entitlement certificates and surveying methods for establishing boundaries. Explains the benefit of the establishment of Maori councils for settling Maori disputes. | |
| Explains that the New Zealand wars and the King Movement arose because of events with Hōne Heke and Te Rauparaha. Explains that an assembly at Waitangi was called in order to stop the ongoing conflict. | |
| Outlines the reasons for the 1891 Rees Commission set up by Governor Onero [The Earl of Onslow] and presided over by Timi Kara [James Carroll] and Te Make [James Mackay]. Explains disputes over land, the effects of the Maori Land Court, the establishment of trusts and companies to administer Maori land, and legislation regarding Maori land acquisition as reasons for the enquiry. | |
| pp.5-6 | The assembly at Waitangi |
| Outline of the report compiled at Waitangi regarding Maori land issues and authority. Recommends constructing maps of Maori districts for Maori members of the Te Kotahitanga movement. Reports that the next Te Kotahitanga assembly will be held at the central location of Te Waipatu, Hawkes Bay. | |
| Reports the speech from Timi Kara [James Carroll] regarding a separate government for Maori and how it should be implemented. Pledges his support of the idea for the benefit of Maori. | |
| Reports the speech by Hāmiora Mangakāhia regarding the report compiled by the Rees Commission into legislation regarding Maori land. Recommends Maori pursue agricultural interests rather than collecting money for survival. Names the convenors of the Waitangi assembly and states 1500 attended. | |
| pp.6-8 | Some of the words of the report of the [Maori Land Legislation] commission |
| Discusses the relevance of the Commission's report submitted to the Waitangi assembly by Hāmiora Mangakāhia and the debate it founded. | |
| Conclusion | |
| Publication of the recommendations from the Commission concerning issues of Maori land alienation from past land deals and legislation, possible policies that could be undertaken, and responses to questions from within the Commission. | |
| A point of interest concerning the two houses of parliament | |
| From Wī Parata Kākākura and 29 others, Pōneke [Wellington], and addressed to H.K.Taiaroa and other named recipients opposing a proposed Maori land bill. | |
| To Maori living in Hawkes Bay, and to the people coming to see them | |
| Advertisement from Paraita and Co., advising their location, and that they sell clothing. |