Stuff Group creates digital home for local news

Stuff Group is launching local news network Neighbourly News, delivering 18 hyper-local websites across the country.

The new network expands the Neighbourly brand, a social media channel that connects Kiwi communities.

The sites will focus on the things neighbourhoods care about – what’s opening, growing and happening.

Tangible impact

Stuff owner and publisher Sinead Boucher says having a tangible, positive impact on the lives of New Zealanders is a driving force for Stuff. 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.

“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.” 

Digital future of local news

Neighbourly News will be led by veteran editor and journalist Bernadette Courtney, with a team of senior editors working alongside Neighbourly’s content team.

It 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. 

This network follows last year’s announcement that Stuff would close 15 community newspapers across the country to focus on its digital future.

That’s exactly how Courtney describes Neighbourly news, adding that audience participation is key – whether that is submitting an idea, joining an event or simply asking the questions about what’s happening.

“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.” 

Perfect place for advertisers

Stuff managing director of masthead publishing Joanna Norris says Neighbourly News is the perfect place for local advertisers looking to connect with local people. It will also allow 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.” 

Working in partnership

Norris adds: “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 on June 18 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