[1] The Argus was founded in later 1865 by James Kerr, who had previously worked on newspapers in Australia and for the Otago Daily Times.
A friend of Premier Richard John Seddon, Kerr remained the owner of the paper until his death in 1901.
The paper was originally published three times a week, changing to a daily in 1871. Notable early editors included William Henry Harrison (from 1868 to 1879) and Florence Romuald McCarthy (from 1880 to 1914).
Labour politician (and future Prime Minister) Peter Fraser wrote editorials during the campaign.
In early 1966 the paper was taken over by Buller Westland Publishing Company and relaunched as the Argus Leader.