New Year has a special meaning for Around Wellington. Twelve months ago we hadn’t even thought of the website. Nine months ago I’d had the idea but not much more. Six months ago we launched the website and since then it’s grown like Topsy.
Statistics are dull but they do tell a story. In June 2012 Around Wellington averaged 62 visitors a day looking at the site. By September it was 171 and in December the figure is averaging 310. My thanks to every single one of you,
Stand-out stories include the Food Festival, the Carnival and the Rugby club’s fireworks display. Less happy but still enormously popular with readers were the massive fine for the Indian restaurant and the sudden resignation of Wellesley Park junior school’s head.
It just goes to show that online media as well as traditional local papers must emphasise the positive but not shy away from the occasional negative stories. It’s all part of community life.
Special thanks to Gill Paltridge who has become an excellent reporter for Around Wellington, adding to her skills as a photographer. And a wider vote of thanks to the businesses that have supported the site by taking advertising. Check out at the site to see who they are.
Here’s to an even bigger and better New Year for Around Wellington. My resolutions are to make the What’s On calendar more comprehensive and to get more people and organisations contributing to the site.
Keith Wheatley
Editor/Publisher
Well done Keith and the team – the website is still growing but is already very well known by many that I talk to. Keep it up! Next time you open some champagne to celebrate something, please feel free to invite us! Best of luck for the next 12 months from all at Gibbins Richards, Wellington.