The Otago Daily Times, the newspaper with the longest history of daily publication in New Zealand, first rolled off the press on November 15, 1861.

It was founded by Julius (later Sir Julius) Vogel,an Englishman of Jewish parentage, who began his journalistic career in Australia in 1856. Otago was in the grip of gold fever when Vogel arrived in 1861 and he saw immediate possibilities for a daily paper to serve a population expanding week on week, as new gold rushes occurred.

He went into partnership with William Cutten, the publisher of a weekly newspaper, the Otago Witness, founded in 1851, to form the Otago Daily Times and Witness Newspaper Company, and began vigorous advocacy for provincial government and South Island self determination, among other issues.

From its earliest days the Otago Daily Times established an enviable reputation for accuracy, comprehensive coverage of its region and advocacy for regional causes. Opposition dailies waxed and waned and most were defunct by the early 1900s, with the exception of a vigorous afternoon daily, The Evening Star, which continued until 1978. At the time of the Star's demise its holding company had been merged with the Otago Daily Times under the umbrella of Allied Press Limited, which continues to publish the Otago Daily Times and several smaller newspapers.

Today, the newspaper continues to enjoy a prominent position as one of the country's four major dailies. Throughout the 141 years of its life under 10 editors, it has kept its region and the interests and aspirations of that region's populace as its major focus, although its coverage is broad, including international and national news, and strong business and sporting sections. Quality design, including many photographs and graphics, has been an increasingly important part of its appeal in recent years.

The recipe works well, giving the newspaper an average circulation of 45,000 (2002), a market penetration of 76%, and a reach of almost 90% for some demographic groups. As a result, it is highly regarded as an advertising vehicle, because no other arm of the media can deliver anything remotely resembling this market share.