The Manawatu Standard is the daily paper for the Manawatu region based in Palmerston North

Palmerston North

Palmerston North is the main city of the Manawatu-Wanganui region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is an inland city with a population of and is the country's seventh largest city and eighth largest urban area. Palmerston North is located in the eastern Manawatu Plains near the north bank...

 with satellites in Feilding

Feilding, New Zealand

Feilding is a town in the Manawatu-Wanganui Region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is located on State Highway 54, 20 kilometres north of Palmerston North....

 and Marton

Marton, New Zealand

Marton is the hub of the Rangitikei district of the Manawatu-Wanganui region of New Zealand's North Island. It is situated 35 kilometres southeast of Wanganui and 40 kilometres northwest of Palmerston North. The population was 4752 .-History:...

. The Manawatu Standard has been recognized as one of the best in New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...

 being a finalist in the 2008 Qantas Media Award for best regional daily newspaper. It won the same category in 2007.

History

The company was first established on November 29, 1880. Since then, the paper has been operated by two other companies: it was purchased by Independent Newspapers Limited

Independent Newspapers

This article refers to the New Zealand company. For the Irish company formerly of the same name, see Independent News & Media.Independent Newspapers Limited was a media concern in New Zealand.-History:...

 (INL) in the 1970s, and acquired by Fairfax Media

Fairfax Media

Fairfax Media Limited is one of Australia's largest diversified media companies. The group's operations include newspapers, magazines, radios and digital media operating in Australia and New Zealand. Fairfax Media was founded by the Fairfax family as John Fairfax and Sons, later to become John...

(then John Fairfax Holdings) on July 1, 2003, when that company purchased INL.

The Tribune

Published weekly and distributed for free to all homes in Palmerston North, Ashhurst and Linton, as well as rural subscribers to the Manawatu Standard.

The Feilding Herald

Published twice weekly on Tuesday, in conjunction with the Rangitikei Mail, and on Thursdays as a standalone paper. Delivered to every home in the Manawatu District Council area.

The Rangikei Mail

In conjunction with the Feilding Herald, this paper is published on Tuesdays and delivered to all houses in the Rangitkei district.

The Central Districts Farmer

Delivered on the first Friday of every month to all homes on rural delivery in the eight regions of the central and lower North Island.