Website shares NZ with the world
Ben Crawfords user-generated website, which allows members to create blogs, and post photos, Share My NZ www.sharemynz.co.nz was nominated for the 2007 Telecommunications Users Association of New Zealand (TUANZ) Internet Awards in the newly created user-generated content category.
However, the website lost out to MTVs Jackass the Game at the awards ceremony last month.
Auckland-based Mr Crawford, who grew up on the family farm in Edendale, said the idea for the website 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 werent relevant to what I was doing here in New Zealand, he said.
I thought wouldnt 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. With kiwi lingo and photos of jandals and fish %26amp; chips posted by users, the site is distinctly Kiwi.
All of the content is ranked by the sites members through a process called plugging, indicating to others if its worth reading, Mr Crawford said.
Topics on popular blogs have included investing in the real estate market, student life in Dunedin, accounts from the traditional OE, the 100 day weight loss challenge and of course sport, especially Wayne Barnes, the All Blacks referee in their World Cup quarter-final loss to France.
Bringing his dream to reality had been a family affair, Mr Crawford said.
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.
