The paper was founded in 1885 as the Hot Lakes Chronicle, and received a major scoop when it covered the eruption of Mount Tarawera in June 1886. It was founded by a Mr Watt, and upon his death his wife took over. She in turn sold it to Mr David Gardner, who emigrated from Queensland, in 1905. Gardner's sons, Robin and Russell, took over upon his death in 1918. Originally published weekly, the Hot Lakes Chronicle was published twice a week by Gardner in an effort to stave off competition from a rival paper.[5][3]
Originally a broadsheet, the paper was reissued in a new compact format in 2013 [6]
Thermal Air is a weekly tourist guide to the region's attractions. It is delivered to information sites across New Zealand as well as all accommodation in Rotorua and its surrounds.[10]
^"Archived copy"(PDF). soldonapn.co.nz. Archived from the original(PDF) on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 17 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^"Archived copy"(PDF). soldonapn.co.nz. Archived from the original(PDF) on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 17 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^"Archived copy"(PDF). soldonapn.co.nz. Archived from the original(PDF) on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 17 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^"Archived copy"(PDF). soldonapn.co.nz. Archived from the original(PDF) on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 17 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^"Archived copy"(PDF). soldonapn.co.nz. Archived from the original(PDF) on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 17 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^"Archived copy"(PDF). soldonapn.co.nz. Archived from the original(PDF) on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 17 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
