Remember when the Beatles came to Dunedin in 1964? The 1979 Abbotsford slip? How about the 1981 Springbok tour protests, or Lady Di's visit in 1983?
If it happened in Otago since early 1900, the Otago Daily Times photographers were invariably there, recording history as it unfolded. Now, you can relive that history through the lenses of the ODT photographers in a retrospective exhibition, "Focal Point: 150 years of the Otago Daily Times", which opens at Otago Museum today.
The exhibition also includes an interactive station, which allows visitors to select their favourite photograph from the show. Selections will be published in the ODT and on the ODT website.
The first edition of the ODT was rolling off the press within six months of Gabriel Read discovering gold in May 1861.
"One hundred and fifty years is a very significant achievement for any organisation," museum experience and development manager Clare Wilson said yesterday.
"The Otago Daily Times is an important part of how Otago sees itself. This exhibition offers the community an opportunity to reflect on their contribution to date."Allied Press managing director Julian Smith and Otago Daily Times editor Murray Kirkness fielded interview requests all day yesterday, as national print, television and radio media marked the anniversary of New Zealand's first daily newspaper.
ODT circulation manager James Smith said national demand for the 150th anniversary souvenir edition yesterday had led to an 12.5% increase in papers being printed.
"We've been taking calls from all over the country, especially Wellington and Christchurch," Mr Smith said.
Demand quickly outstretched supply in the capital.
"The paper has been selling like hot cakes up here today, with some places selling out almost immediately," Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand community liaison officer Andy Palmer said from Wellington yesterday.
"I managed to get my hands on a couple of copies for us, though.""Focal Point: 150 Years of the Otago Daily Times" opens in the special exhibitions gallery today and runs until June 17 next year.
Entry is free.
