‘Share My NZ’ Generates Kiwi Pride
MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE USE
31 October
2007
‘Share My NZ’ Generates Kiwi Pride
While New Zealander’s are generally regarded as modest types, it appears they do love talking about themselves and their country on the website Share My NZ www.sharemynz.co.nz
So much so that the user generated website, which allows members to create blogs, post New Zealand photos and review local businesses, has been nominated for the 2007 Telecommunications Users Association of New Zealand (TUANZ) Internet Awards in the newly created User Generated Content category.
Not only is the site for kiwis, it is made by a kiwi. Share My NZ was the brainchild of Southland born Ben Crawford. The idea came to him because he was unable to find a blog that could help him with his home renovations.
“I was searching for DIY blogs but they were all American or UK based. It was frustrating because they weren’t relevant to what I was doing here in New Zealand. I thought wouldn’t it be great if there was a website where kiwis could share stuff with each other and celebrate this great country we live in, so I set about creating one” says Mr. Crawford.
With kiwi lingo and photos of jandals and fish & chips posted by users, the site is distinctly kiwi. Unlike other social networks, everyone is talking about relevant New Zealand stuff, making it ‘sweet as’.
All of the content is ranked by the site’s members through a process called ‘plugging’, indicating to others if it’s worth reading. Topics on popular blogs have included investing in the real estate market, student life in Dunedin, accounts from the traditional O.E, the 100 day weight loss challenge and of course sport, namely Wayne Barnes, the All Blacks’ referee.
In keeping with the user generated nature of the website, the entry for the TUANZ Internet Awards was made with the help of the site’s users. A bulletin was posted on the homepage asking members for their contributions to the entry and the responses were combined and sent in to TUANZ.
“You can’t win an
award for User Generated Content if your users don’t have
a say,” explains Crawford.
“That’s the whole point
of the Web 2.0 movement. The content of Share My NZ is
completely created and edited by our members. Without them
there wouldn’t be a website so it was mandatory that they
were involved in the entry process.”
Bringing Crawford’s dream to reality has been a bit of a family affair. His sister is responsible for the graphic design while his parents have helped get the project off the ground by becoming financial investors.
Web development company Zenago was contracted to bring the designs and dreams to reality after showing a great deal of professionalism and enthusiasm for the job. With over seven years experience with the likes of the Hanover Group, Villa Maria and McConnell Property, Zenago provides Share My NZ with a fully functional, self-managed website.
Share My NZ went live in January 2007 and currently has 752 registered members who are a mixture of young and old kiwis from all around New Zealand and the globe. The website currently attracts 10,000 unique visitors per month.
The TUANZ Internet Awards will take place at Wellington’s Michael Fowler Centre on Wednesday 7th November.
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