[3]: 91  Ernest Corbett, the Minister for Māori Development, stated in a 1954 memo that: "At outset the magazine was intended to assist the promotion of the objectives of the government ...

"[5] The magazine covered varied topics such as social and political issues, agriculture, wood carving and other crafts, obituaries, Māori legends and poetry, as well as material for children.

[7]: 1 A number of well-known New Zealand authors contributed to the magazine including Sidney Moko Mead (who published a series of original short stories written in Māori),[3]: 96  Pei Te Hurinui Jones, Rēweti Kōhere, Joan Metge, J. C. Sturm, Kīngi Īhaka, Maharaia Winiata, Te Aniwa Bosch, Tūroa Royal, Percy Leo Fowler, Hone Tuwhare, Barry Mitcalfe, Rowley Habib, Witi Ihimaera and Patricia Grace.

[1][3]: 96  In 1960, Pita Sharples, then a pupil at Te Aute College, won the English category of a writing competition held by the magazine.

[5] The magazine's editor at the time, Bruce Mason, commented after the competition that: "I expect – I say this in full confidence – that the next ten years will produce a Maori novelist of outstanding talent; already the ground is being prepared for him."