Stuff Group launches major new local news network, Neighbourly News

New Zealand's largest national local news network Neighbourly News launches today, delivering 18 hyper-engaging, hyper-local websites built on local love.

Launched by Stuff Group, Neighbourly News expands the brand of the country's largest local social media network into 18 new sites nationwide, focusing on the things neighbourhoods care about - what's opening, growing, happening and energising locals in a positive and uplifting way.

Stuff Owner and Publisher Sinead Boucher says having a tangible, positive impact on the lives of New Zealanders is a driving force for Stuff and launching a local news network under the Neighbourly brand adds to that mission.

"We have an ambition to be world class at local and Neighbourly News is our next step in expanding the Neighbourly brand," she says.

"Stuff Group already reaches 9 in 10 Kiwis every month, and our audiences mirror New Zealand's demographics more closely than other media," she says. "We are often told that councils and businesses want a local product that reflects the lives of their neighbourhoods and this is our response to that need."

Led by veteran editor and journalist Bernadette Courtney, with a team of senior editors working alongside Neighbourly's content team, the network will feature local news from Stuff Group journalists across the country, with reader ideas and contributions, local business notices and profiles plus curated information from hundreds of automated public information streams.

Courtney says participation will be a key part of the Neighbourly News ethos - whether that is submitting an idea, joining an event or simply asking the questions about what's happening in their neighbourhood.

"These are not the community newspapers of old," she says. "They are a reflection of what people talk about and want to be involved with today. This is the digital future of local news, but we want it to encourage real-life participation in your neighbourhood."

Stuff's Managing Director of Masthead Publishing Joanna Norris says Neighbourly News is the perfect place for local advertisers looking to connect with local people, while allowing national advertisers to reach people across the country via a single source.

"Neighbourly News is built on North America's highly regarded technology platform Village Media, which powers 86 community news networks in Canada and the United States," she says.

"Village are community news specialists, creating easy to navigate local sites where Kiwis can delve deeply into what's positive about their community and contribute through interactive tools and forms. They are designed to help neighbours and businesses come together, celebrate local common ground and are complementary to Neighbourly's social platform."

"We are launching our national network in 18 towns and regions initially, but we'll be looking to expand into more communities across the country where there is demand. For major Kiwi brands, this is where you can reach every community via one source.

"This is the first of some exciting new developments for Neighbourly and we'd love to hear from local people and businesses who want Neighbourly News to come to their town - this means we'll work in partnership with local communities and share the love around."

The 18 sites launching today are:

• Invercargill
• Queenstown
• Dunedin
• Christchurch Central
• Nelson
• Wellington Central
• Lower Hutt
• Wairarapa
• New Plymouth
• Palmerston North
• Tauranga
• Taupo
• Hamilton
• South Auckland
• East Auckland
• West Auckland
• North Auckland
• Central Auckland

Go to www.neighbourlynews.co.nz for more information.