New Design For Tangata Whenua Website

PRESS RELEASE
TangataWhenua.com

15 March 2007

For Immediate Release

New Design For Tangata Whenua Website

Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand - TangataWhenua.com one of the first Internet sites dedicated to providing relevant Maori-focused and indigenous-centred news, events and information has recently redesigned their website and eNewsletter. The new version of the site was officially launched on March 15, 2007.

"We want to be the premier Maori News and Information web portal" boldly stated Potaua Biasiny-Tule Managing Director of the online Maori News Services, TangataWhenua.com "to do this we needed to innovate by reflecting the dynamic nature of the Internet" he said. Â

Along with a revitalised design incorporating quick access to important information, TangataWhenua.com has also developed Job Space, a customised Māori-relevant Career Centre. The new site is easy to navigate and allows quick access to news, events and information.

Online features include:
• Maori-focused breaking news articles
• Maori-relevant Career Centre (Job Space) & Job Listings
• Google search of TangataWhenua.com archives
• One-Stop access to Māori-centred news, events and information

TangataWhenua.com was first developed in 2002 when Potaua Biasiny-Tule noted that although there was much online discussion on topical issues relevant to Maori there was little in the way of a Maori relevant eNewsletter (ePanui) that was delivered to people at regular intervals. Mr. Biasiny-Tule says "after just three brief ePanui the community's response was overwhelming" and he set out to create something phenomenal.

Mr. Biasiny-Tule says their mission is to "provide exceptional, relevant, and independent news, events & information to Maori and those working with and interested in Maori communities in an effort to strengthen online Maori networks and businesses".

TangataWhenua.com's newsletter is now sent to over 3000 subscribers each fortnight. In addition TangataWhenua.com receives over 12,000 unique each month and has reached over 1 million unique impressions, with an average of 180,000 unique impressions each month."

TangataWhenua.com's newsletter has been described by Moea Armstrong of IGRIN as "a huge and wonderful compendium of the renaissance…" she goes on to exclaim, "at last a comprehensive and entertaining eNewsletter of everything of interest to New Zealanders surfing the new Maori wave... complete with extensive links to further reading and with a lively commentary even better than the progressive style of many long-established eNewsletters. A must read for anyone covering Maori news, and countless random hooks for the casual reader, a stellar compass for those navigating the myriad highways of Māoridom."

In 2005, RANGIKAINGA received a commendation from the Human Rights Commission for its positive contribution to race relations. In 2006, RANGIKAINGA received an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) by the National Library of New Zealand confirming it place as a periodic serial. In 2007 TangataWhenua.com received an entry in Wikipedia, the world's largest online open source encyclopedia, affirming its uniqueness and importance in terms of Maori development in the areas of ICT and media.

"Our latest issue of RANGIKAINGA includes discussion on the Anti-Smacking Bill, provides educational scholarship information and has money which could belong to you" said Mr. Biasiny-Tule, "but it's the website that has been given a makeover, in anticipation of an array of new services such as podcasts and videocasts". "These are exciting times of growth for our company and we hope to gain new support for our ventures".

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