NZ Herald website audience grows by 23 per cent

Nzherald.co.nz has enjoyed the fastest growth of any top-20 most-visited Kiwi website over the past 12 months and is now headhunting a new editorial leader.

NZME Group Director Digital Laura Maxwell-Hansen said the digital audience had increased 23 per cent year on year - higher than Stuff, Yahoo!, Mediaworks and TVNZ, according to Nielsen figures.

"It's strong growth off a solid base and we expect this to continue to rise throughout 2015. NZME is implementing an intensive digital strategy that has seen us launch ShopViva and ShopGreen via the GrabOne platform, TrueCommercial.co.nz, Viva.co.nz and most recently Driven.co.nz."

NZME Group GM Digital Content Marcus Forbes will be adding the digital editor responsibilities for nzherald.co.nz to his role, following the resignation of Herald associate editor and head of digital content Jeremy Rees. A search will be undertaken for a new editorial lead for nzherald.co.nz.

Forbes, who began his journalism career as a sports journalist for the Sunday News has worked for Yahoo!Xtra/Yahoo! New Zealand since the company's inception in 2007. He held a number of roles within the editorial team including Editor-in-Chief before taking over as General Manager-Media in June 2013. He began with NZME in March last year and has delivered record digital growth across NZME Radio.

Maxwell-Hansen said NZME would be focusing on more digital content initiatives similar to the Cricket Fever hub linked to the recent Cricket World Cup and the PinAPoppy Appeal that supported the RSA and Anzac day.

"These initiatives are resonating with the public with almost 11,000 virtual poppies downloaded and $62,792 raised for the RSA in just one week. The public is more connected than ever and the focus of our digital strategy is in response to this."

Maxwell-Hansen said resourcing for digital was a huge priority with recent appointments for NZME including Andy Wylie as Group GM Digital Ad Operations and Lauren Hopwood as Head of Audience Engagement.