About
Based out of Waimate District we’re connecting with districts north, south and west to share our stories.
Whether you're just down the road or across the world, you’ll recognise the faces and places - and discover new ones.
Got an idea for a story? Send us an email.
District Life
District Life is a digital platform sharing news and stories from across the districts of the central South Island, supported by advertising that reflects and serves our largely rural communities. It brings together journalism, community storytelling and targeted digital marketing.
This platform exists to take our news and stories to the world - and bring back the news and opportunities that matter most to the people who live and work here
The districts of the central South Island stretch across wide farmland and rural towns.
Our districts are connected by more than roads - we’re part of a shared life and economy - a wider network of people, places, and industries.
We cross invisible district borders every day: we work together, we send our kids to school together, we wine, dine and shop across these borders.
Beyond district lines
From here to everywhere
District Life stories travel far and are long lasting - they’re not tied to print runs or postcodes.
They’re written for locals, farmers, neighbouring districts, expats and anyone planning their next move or visit. And because they’re online, they remain searchable and easy to find.
District Life gives advertisers a platform to connect with a strong rural audience through stories and advertising. It gives our districts a voice and an international reach.
Advertisers
District Life gives you targeted access to the largely rural heartland of the central South Island - and beyond.
We partner with you to create content that we amplify through District Life, and that you can amplify through yours
Want to find our more? Send us an email to request an advertising information pack.
Tell us who you want to reach. We’ll get your ad or story in front of them. District Life is led by Kate O’Connell, a digital marketing and communications specialist with more than 20 years’ experience delivering results for businesses and communities.
This isn’t passive advertising. It’s targeted digital marketing. We work with you to define who you want to reach, what you want them to know, and where they’re most likely to see it. From there, we’ll write stories and create content designed to be noticed.
Stories sit at the heart of District Life. They allow you to go deeper than traditional advertising and take a more creative approach to connecting with your audience. They give you space to explain, add context, and demonstrate expertise. The approach isn’t one-size-fits-all, and it doesn’t stop at a logo and a tagline. And we promise, no AI slop.
Early advertisers are guaranteed a minimum of 20,000 views. We’ve just launched and we’re already getting hundreds of thousands. If it doesn’t happen organically, we’ll run paid targeted campaigns to make sure it does.
Lock in early advertiser specials
To kick things off, we’re offering cut price ads for a limited time.
From $30-$100 per week, local businesses can lock in exceptional value and early visibility as District Life launches.
Introductory rates are limited and won’t be repeated.
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We offer a full-service approach - from writing stories and designing ads for District Life, to creating content and campaigns you can use across your own channels.
We can work with your marketing team to share the content they create.
Or ,we can be your outsourced marketing team including reviewing your current strategy and optimising it.
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You’re getting access to a professional digital marketer who actively works to get results from your advertising spend.
You get targeted access to a largely rural audience.
Your advertising isn’t limited to post codes or print runs and it sticks around longer.
We guarantee views - minimum of 20,000. We’re already reaching hundreds of thousands.
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Views are the number of times your story, ad or content is seen across District Life’s website, social platforms and paid digital campaigns.
Everything is measurable. Views and engagement are tracked, and results can be shared so you know how your content is performing.
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Yes. Early advertisers are guaranteed a minimum of 20,000 views.
If the views aren’t reached organically, we’ll pay to get them there through paid targeted digital advertising.
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That depends on your goals.
We can target locals, neighbouring districts, visitors, expats or interest-based audiences across New Zealand.
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Our founding advertisers get great value - from as little as $30 up to $100 per week.
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Either works.
If you have an ad you love we can use it.
Or, we love designing ads that stand out. Design is included in the ad pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact us
We’d love to hear from you.
Get in touch to share an idea for a story, find out about advertising, or to request an advertising information pack.
District Life is a part-time, community-led project.
The best way to contact us is via email - we’ll reply as soon as we can (same day!).