Media release
For immediate release
28 October 2009

Amnesty International harnesses the web for human rights

Amnesty International, the world’s largest human rights organisation, has proudly launched its new Aotearoa New Zealand website at amnesty.org.nz. A fresh lick of paint and a range of new features have made the website easier for everyday New Zealanders to learn about, and take action for, human rights.

As well as dramatic improvements to the website’s design, navigation and accessibility, new features include an RSS feed for all news items; interactive online poll; animated feature-story panel; and quick access links to some of the more popular social networking sites.

“Our website is an integral part to our work – new media technology has allowed us to extend the reach of our voice and invigorate creative campaigning,” says Vivian Chandra, Amnesty International Aotearoa NZ’s IT Manager. “This new website makes it easier for visitors to take immediate action for human rights online, and find information in a clear and user-friendly manner.”

Auckland-based web-design company, Sparks Interactive were behind the revamp of the site, with the design and development of the website donated on a pro-bono basis.

“We are hugely grateful for the generosity of Sparks Interactive in the time and expertise they’ve put into this site. It has meant that we have been able to spend less on operational expenses, and more on what we exist to do –campaigning to protect and promote human rights,” says Patrick Holmes, CEO of AIANZ.

The update to the design and functionality of amnesty.org.nz is the first large redesign since the website was re-engineered to the open source Drupal® platform in 2007 by Xplain Technology. Since then Xplain Technology have provided AIANZ with a free hosting solution which enables development of new features offline, and simple transfer to the live site.

Sparks Interactive has been involved in many high profile re-designs recently, including the re-design of the National Business Review website and the rebuild and comprehensive re-design of sorted.org.nz

ENDS