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{{short description|New Zealand news website}}
{{short description|New Zealand news website}}
{{about|the New Zealand news website|the British magazine|Stuff (magazine)}}
{{about|the New Zealand news website|the unrelated British magazine|Stuff (magazine)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=February 2015}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=February 2015}}
{{Infobox website
{{Infobox website
| name = Stuff
| name = Stuff
| logo =
| logo = Stuff 2022.svg
| logo_size = 200px
| logo_size = 200px
| logocaption = Logo of Stuff
| logocaption = Wordmark
| screenshot = Stuff.co.nz screen capture.jpg
| screenshot = Stuff.co.nz screen capture.jpg
| screenshot_size = 300px
| screenshot_size = 300px
| collapsible =
| collapsible =
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| owner = [[Stuff (company)|Stuff Limited]]
| owner = [[Stuff (company)|Stuff Limited]]
| author = [[Independent Newspapers]]
| author = [[Independent Newspapers]]
| launch_date = {{Start date and age|2000|06|27|df=yes}}<ref name="NZ_Herald_141822"/>
| launch_date = {{launch date and age|2000|06|27|df=yes}}<ref name="NZ_Herald_141822"/>
| revenue =
| revenue =
| current_status = Online
| current_status = Online
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}}
}}


'''Stuff''' is a [[New Zealand]] [[news media]] website owned by newspaper conglomerate [[Stuff (company)|Stuff Ltd]] (formerly called Fairfax). It is the most popular news website in New Zealand,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nielsen.com/nz/en/press-releases/2018/new-zealands-top-local-news-sites-july-2018-rankings|title=New Zealand's Top Local News Sites – July 2018|website=www.nielsen.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref> with a monthly unique audience of more than 2 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/06/20/643323?slug=mediaroom-the-post-paywall-audience-numbers|title=First Herald paywall audience numbers|date=2019-06-20|website=Newsroom|language=en-AU|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref>
'''Stuff''' is a [[New Zealand]] [[news media]] website owned by newspaper conglomerate [[Stuff (company)|Stuff Ltd]] (formerly called Fairfax). As of early 2024, it is the most popular news website in New Zealand,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nielsen.com/nz/en/press-releases/2018/new-zealands-top-local-news-sites-july-2018-rankings|title=New Zealand's Top Local News Sites – July 2018|website=nielsen.com|language=en-US|access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref> with a monthly unique audience of more than 2 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/06/20/643323?slug=mediaroom-the-post-paywall-audience-numbers|title=First Herald paywall audience numbers|date=20 June 2019|website=Newsroom|language=en-AU|access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref>


Stuff was founded in 2000,{{sfn|Crean|2011|p=9}} and publishes breaking news, weather, sport, politics, video, entertainment, business and life and style content from Stuff Ltd's newspapers, which include New Zealand's second- and third-highest circulation daily newspapers, [[The Dominion Post (Wellington)|''The Dominion Post'']] and ''[[The Press]]'', and the highest circulation weekly, ''[[Sunday Star-Times]]'', as well as international news wire services.
Stuff was founded in 2000,{{sfn|Crean|2011|p=9}} and publishes breaking news, weather, sport, politics, video, entertainment, business and life and style content from Stuff Ltd's newspapers, which include New Zealand's second- and third-highest circulation daily newspapers, [[The Post (New Zealand newspaper)|''The Post'']] and ''[[The Press]]'', and the highest circulation weekly, ''[[Sunday Star-Times]]'', as well as international news wire services.


Stuff has won numerous awards at the [[Newspaper Publishers' Association awards]] including 'Best News Website or App' in 2014<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://voyagermediaawards.nz/winners-finalists/2014-winners|title=2014 Winners|website=Voyager Media Awards|language=en-NZ|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref> and 2019,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://voyagermediaawards.nz/digital-winners-2019|title=Digital Winners 2019|website=Voyager Media Awards|language=en-NZ|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref> and 'Website of the Year' in 2013<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://voyagermediaawards.nz/winners-finalists/2013-winners|title=2013 Winners|website=Voyager Media Awards|language=en-NZ|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref> and 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://voyagermediaawards.nz/2018-winners|title=2018 winners|website=Voyager Media Awards|language=en-NZ|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref>
Stuff has won numerous awards at the [[Newspaper Publishers' Association awards]] including 'Best News Website or App' in 2014<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://voyagermediaawards.nz/winners-finalists/2014-winners|title=2014 Winners|website=Voyager Media Awards|language=en-NZ|access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref> and 2019,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://voyagermediaawards.nz/digital-winners-2019|title=Digital Winners 2019|website=Voyager Media Awards|language=en-NZ|access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref> and 'Website of the Year' in 2013<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://voyagermediaawards.nz/winners-finalists/2013-winners|title=2013 Winners|website=Voyager Media Awards|language=en-NZ|access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref> and 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://voyagermediaawards.nz/2018-winners|title=2018 winners|website=Voyager Media Awards|language=en-NZ|access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
===Independent Newspapers Ltd, 2000–2003===
The former New Zealand media company [[Independent Newspapers|Independent Newspapers Ltd]] (INL), owned by News Corp Australia, launched Stuff on 27 June 2000 at a cybercafe in [[Auckland]], after announcing its intention to go online more than a year earlier.<ref name="NZ_Herald_141822">{{cite web |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=141822 |title=Online launch for INL 'stuff' |author=Scherer, Karyn |date=28 June 2000 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=28 September 2011}}</ref><ref name="NBR_Million">{{cite web |url=http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/a-million-readers-get-stuff |title=A million readers get Stuff |date=6 August 2005 |work=[[National Business Review]] |access-date=28 September 2011}}</ref> The development of Stuff was supported by Don Higgins, Corporate Development Manager and Mark Wierzbicki, founding Internet Business Manager. Advertising agency [[Saatchi & Saatchi]] conceived the name "Stuff", and INL had to buy the domain name from a [[cyber squatter]].<ref name="NZ_Herald_141822"/> In its first month, the site had 120,000 unique visitors.<ref name="NBR_Million"/> At the time, Wierzbicki described the name as a copywriter's dream, although he conceded that "it's not without risk, especially if we stuff up." The start up was built by a group of engineers from a few tech companies in [[Wellington]] led by founding CTO and engineering manager Will Everitt and project manager Bill Alp and used a software platform from News Corp Australia's [[news.com.au]].
The former New Zealand media company [[Independent Newspapers|Independent Newspapers Ltd]] (INL), owned by News Corp Australia, launched Stuff on 27 June 2000 at a cybercafe in [[Auckland]], after announcing its intention to go online more than a year earlier.<ref name="NZ_Herald_141822">{{cite web |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=141822 |title=Online launch for INL 'stuff' |author=Scherer, Karyn |date=28 June 2000 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=28 September 2011}}</ref><ref name="NBR_Million">{{cite web |url=http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/a-million-readers-get-stuff |title=A million readers get Stuff |date=6 August 2005 |work=[[National Business Review]] |access-date=28 September 2011}}</ref> The development of Stuff was supported by Don Higgins, Corporate Development Manager and Mark Wierzbicki, founding Internet Business Manager. Advertising agency [[Saatchi & Saatchi]] conceived the name "Stuff", and INL had to buy the domain name from a [[cyber squatter]].<ref name="NZ_Herald_141822"/> In its first month, the site had 120,000 unique visitors.<ref name="NBR_Million"/> At the time, Wierzbicki described the name as a copywriter's dream, although he conceded that "it's not without risk, especially if we stuff up." The start up was built by a group of engineers from a few tech companies in [[Wellington]] led by founding CTO and engineering manager Will Everitt and project manager Bill Alp and used a software platform from News Corp Australia's [[news.com.au]].


===Fairfax Media and Nine Entertainment, 2003–2020===
On 30 June 2003, INL sold its publishing assets including ''The Dominion Post'', ''The Press'', and the Stuff website to [[Fairfax Media]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Inl Shareholders Approve Sale To Fairfax |url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0306/S00314.htm |date=30 June 2003|work=[[Scoop (website)|Scoop]] / INL press release |access-date=28 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Fairfax snaps up NZ publisher |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2003-04-14/fairfax-snaps-up-nz-publisher/1836190 |date=14 April 2003 |work=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |access-date=28 September 2011}}</ref>
On 30 June 2003, INL sold its publishing assets including ''The Dominion Post'', ''The Press'', and the Stuff website to [[Fairfax Media]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Inl Shareholders Approve Sale To Fairfax |url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0306/S00314.htm |date=30 June 2003|work=[[Scoop (website)|Scoop]] / INL press release |access-date=28 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Fairfax snaps up NZ publisher |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2003-04-14/fairfax-snaps-up-nz-publisher/1836190 |date=14 April 2003 |work=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |access-date=28 September 2011}}</ref>


Fairfax upgraded the website in December 2006, and again on 4 March 2009, adding the ability for visitors to personalise the homepage.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stuff redesign: All the stuff you ever wanted |url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0903/S00072.htm |date=4 March 2009 |work=[[Scoop (website)|Scoop]]/Fairfax Media press release |access-date=28 September 2011}}</ref> The first mobile phone news service from Stuff began in 2003, in a partnership with [[Vodafone New Zealand]]. On 21 April 2009, Stuff launched a dedicated mobile site.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stuff Goes Mobile – Get Stuff Wherever You Go |url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0904/S00402.htm |date=21 April 2009 |work=[[Scoop (website)|Scoop]]/Fairfax Media press release |access-date=28 September 2011}}</ref>
Fairfax upgraded the website in December 2006, and again on 4 March 2009, adding the ability for visitors to personalise the homepage.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stuff redesign: All the stuff you ever wanted |url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0903/S00072.htm |date=4 March 2009 |work=[[Scoop (website)|Scoop]]/Fairfax Media press release |access-date=28 September 2011}}</ref> The first mobile phone news service from Stuff began in 2003, in a partnership with [[Vodafone New Zealand]]. On 21 April 2009, Stuff launched a dedicated mobile site.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stuff Goes Mobile – Get Stuff Wherever You Go |url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0904/S00402.htm |date=21 April 2009 |work=[[Scoop (website)|Scoop]]/Fairfax Media press release |access-date=28 September 2011}}</ref>


[[File:Stuff.co.nz logo.png|thumb|Old logo used from 2016–2022]]
[[File:Stuff.co.nz logo.svg|thumb|Logo used from 2016 to 2022]]
On 1 February 2018, the parent company of Stuff changed its name from Fairfax New Zealand Limited to [[Stuff Limited]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Stuff's journey from newspaper pioneer to website to 'portfolio' business |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/100974538/stuffs-journey-from-newspaper-pioneer-to-website-to-portfolio-business |newspaper=Stuff |date=1 February 2018 |access-date=10 May 2018}}</ref> In December 2018 Fairfax Media merged into [[Nine Entertainment Co.|Nine Entertainment Co]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Stuff's journey from newspaper pioneer to website to 'portfolio' business |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/100974538/stuffs-journey-from-newspaper-pioneer-to-website-to-portfolio-business |work=Stuff|date=1 February 2018 |access-date=14 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213025805/https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/100974538/stuffs-journey-from-newspaper-pioneer-to-website-to-portfolio-business|archive-date=13 December 2018}}</ref>
On 1 February 2018, the parent company of Stuff changed its name from Fairfax New Zealand Limited to [[Stuff Limited]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Stuff's journey from newspaper pioneer to website to 'portfolio' business |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/100974538/stuffs-journey-from-newspaper-pioneer-to-website-to-portfolio-business |work=Stuff |date=1 February 2018 |access-date=10 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213090021/https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/100974538/stuffs-journey-from-newspaper-pioneer-to-website-to-portfolio-business|archive-date=13 February 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2018 Stuff was merged into [[Nine Entertainment]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Stuff's journey from newspaper pioneer to website to 'portfolio' business |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/100974538/stuffs-journey-from-newspaper-pioneer-to-website-to-portfolio-business |work=Stuff|date=1 February 2018 |access-date=14 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213025805/https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/100974538/stuffs-journey-from-newspaper-pioneer-to-website-to-portfolio-business|archive-date=13 December 2019}}</ref>


===Sinead Boucher, 2020–present===
On 25 May 2020, Nine Entertainment sold Stuff and its holdings including the Stuff website to Stuff's CEO [[Sinead Boucher]] for NZ$1, with the transaction completed on 31 May. This marks the return of the company into New Zealand ownership.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pullar-Strecker |first1=Tom |title=Stuff ownership to return to NZ after management buy-out |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/121613980/stuff-ownership-to-return-to-nz-after-management-buyout |access-date=25 May 2020 |work=Stuff |date=25 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525042602/https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/121613980/stuff-ownership-to-return-to-nz-after-management-buyout |archive-date=25 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rutherford |first1=Hamish |title=Stuff sold for $1 to CEO Sinead Boucher by Nine Entertainment |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12334494 |access-date=25 May 2020 |work=[[New Zealand Herald]] |date=25 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525042737/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12334494 |archive-date=25 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Stuff chief executive Sinead Boucher buys company for $1 |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/417448/stuff-chief-executive-sinead-boucher-buys-company-for-1 |access-date=25 May 2020 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=25 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525043043/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/417448/stuff-chief-executive-sinead-boucher-buys-company-for-1 |archive-date=25 May 2020}}</ref>
On 25 May 2020, Nine Entertainment sold Stuff and its holdings including the Stuff website to Stuff's CEO [[Sinead Boucher]] for NZ$1, with the transaction completed on 31 May. This marks the return of the company into New Zealand ownership.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pullar-Strecker |first1=Tom |title=Stuff ownership to return to NZ after management buy-out |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/121613980/stuff-ownership-to-return-to-nz-after-management-buyout |access-date=25 May 2020 |work=Stuff |date=25 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525042602/https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/121613980/stuff-ownership-to-return-to-nz-after-management-buyout |archive-date=25 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rutherford |first1=Hamish |title=Stuff sold for $1 to CEO Sinead Boucher by Nine Entertainment |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12334494 |access-date=25 May 2020 |work=[[New Zealand Herald]] |date=25 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525042737/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12334494 |archive-date=25 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Stuff chief executive Sinead Boucher buys company for $1 |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/417448/stuff-chief-executive-sinead-boucher-buys-company-for-1 |access-date=25 May 2020 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=25 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525043043/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/417448/stuff-chief-executive-sinead-boucher-buys-company-for-1 |archive-date=25 May 2020}}</ref>


On 30 May 2022, Stuff updated its logo and brand colours.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Norris |first=Joanna |date=2022-05-29 |title=Bold, fun, original: The kaupapa behind Stuff's new look |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300598436/bold-fun-original-the-kaupapa-behind-stuffs-new-look |access-date=2022-06-01 |work=Stuff }}</ref>
On 30 May 2022, Stuff updated its logo and brand colours.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Norris |first=Joanna |date=29 May 2022 |title=Bold, fun, original: The kaupapa behind Stuff's new look |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300598436/bold-fun-original-the-kaupapa-behind-stuffs-new-look |access-date=1 June 2022|work=Stuff |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213090329/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300598436/bold-fun-original-the-kaupapa-behind-stuffs-new-look |archive-date=13 February 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 27 April 2023, Stuff confirmed that it would launch separate subscription-based websites for three of its newspapers: [[The Post (New Zealand newspaper)|''The Post'']], [[The Press (Christchurch)|''The Press'']], and ''[[Waikato Times]]''. These websites will co-exist with the Stuff news website, which will remain free.<ref>{{cite news |title=Stuff to put up first paywalls for news |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/mediawatch/audio/2018887771/stuff-to-put-up-first-paywalls-for-news |access-date=28 April 2023 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=27 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427075101/https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/mediawatch/audio/2018887771/stuff-to-put-up-first-paywalls-for-news |archive-date=27 April 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 17 January 2024, Stuff rolled out a new website and app with a new layout and design. It was immediately met with overwhelming criticism, due to a number of features and sections previously being available removed, including the search function and the technology section. The new design also caused a number of functionality issues, mostly around loading the new homepage with several users reporting the homepage to be stuck in a loading loop. A story posted by Stuff touting the new design and also seeking feedback received over 300 responses with about a dozen positive and the rest negative. Comments on this story were later removed. Since the rollout, traffic and readership has reportedly dropped by up to 20%.<ref>{{cite news |work=[[Newsroom (website)|Newsroom]] | url= https://newsroom.co.nz/2024/02/23/skys-upbeat-while-nzme-falls-short/ | title=Sky's upbeat while NZME falls short | date=22 February 2024 }}</ref>


== Awards and nominations ==
== Awards and nominations ==
{{main|List of awards and nominations received by Stuff (website)}}
{{main|List of awards and nominations received by Stuff (website)}}
Stuff.co.nz has won numerous awards at the [[Newspaper Publishers' Association awards]] (currently branded as the [[Voyager Media Awards]]) including Best News Website or App in 2014 and 2019,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://voyagermediaawards.nz/digital-winners-2019|title=Digital Winners 2019|website=Voyager Media Awards|language=en-NZ|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://voyagermediaawards.nz/winners-finalists/2014-winners|title=2014 Winners|website=Voyager Media Awards|language=en-NZ|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref> and Website of the Year in 2013 and 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://voyagermediaawards.nz/winners-finalists/2013-winners|title=2013 Winners|website=Voyager Media Awards|language=en-NZ|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://voyagermediaawards.nz/2018-winners|title=2018 winners|website=Voyager Media Awards|language=en-NZ|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref>
Stuff.co.nz has won numerous awards at the [[Newspaper Publishers' Association awards]] (currently branded as the [[Voyager Media Awards]]) including Best News Website or App in 2014 and 2019,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://voyagermediaawards.nz/digital-winners-2019|title=Digital Winners 2019|website=Voyager Media Awards|language=en-NZ|access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://voyagermediaawards.nz/winners-finalists/2014-winners|title=2014 Winners|website=Voyager Media Awards|language=en-NZ|access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref> and Website of the Year in 2013 and 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://voyagermediaawards.nz/winners-finalists/2013-winners|title=2013 Winners|website=Voyager Media Awards|language=en-NZ|access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://voyagermediaawards.nz/2018-winners|title=2018 winners|website=Voyager Media Awards|language=en-NZ|access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref>


== Content and coverage ==
== Content and coverage ==
On 17 April 2013, to celebrate the passing of [[same-sex marriage in New Zealand]], the colour of the Stuff logo was changed from black to the colours associated with the [[Pride flag (LGBT community)|pride flag]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Stevens|first=Mark|title=Stuff celebrates marriage equality|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/blogs/from-the-newsroom/8561601/Stuff-celebrates-marriage-equality|access-date=17 April 2013|newspaper=Stuff.co.nz|date=17 April 2013}}</ref>
In July 2008, during the trial of [[Clayton Weatherston]], press.co.nz, a subsidiary section on Stuff, accidentally ran the headline "Guilty of Murder" the day before the jury delivered the verdict. The article was quickly withdrawn, and Fairfax executive editor [[Paul Thompson (media executive)|Paul Thompson]] said it was a mistake "we take very seriously."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Porteous |first1=Debbie |title=Contempt rethink needed, academic says |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/contempt-rethink-needed-academic-says |access-date=20 November 2020 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=25 July 2009 |language=en}}</ref>


On 17 April 2013, to celebrate the passing of [[same-sex marriage in New Zealand]], the colour of the Stuff logo was changed from black to the colours associated with the [[Pride flag (LGBT community)|pride flag]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Stevens|first=Mark|title=Stuff celebrates marriage equality|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/blogs/from-the-newsroom/8561601/Stuff-celebrates-marriage-equality|access-date=17 April 2013|newspaper=Stuff.co.nz|date=17 April 2013}}</ref>
When a 7.8 [[2016 Kaikoura earthquake|earthquake struck Kaikoura]] 14 November 2016, cutting the town off via road access, Stuff flew free copies of its newspapers to residents.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsworksnz.co.nz/insight/news-opinion/quakes-can-t-shake-fairfax/|title=Quakes can’t shake Fairfax|website=News Works|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref>


In 2017, Stuff's first podcast ''Black Hands'' received over 3 million downloads<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blinkpr.co.nz/marketing-renaissance/|title=Marketing Renaissance|last=Director|first=Alison Brown {{!}} Group Account|date=2017-11-28|website=Blink Public Relations and Marketing|language=en-NZ|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref> and was the number one podcast in five countries. Stuff also produced ''Gone Fishing'' with [[Radio New Zealand]], which won podcast of the year<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1911/S00185/two-wins-for-rnz-at-international-media-awards.htm|title=Two wins for RNZ at international media awards {{!}} Scoop News|last=Friday|last2=November 2019|first2=8|website=www.scoop.co.nz|access-date=2020-02-29|last3=Zeal|first3=1:10 pm Press Release: Radio New|last4=Limited}}</ref> at the 2019 NZ Radio Awards.
In 2017, Stuff's first podcast ''Black Hands'' received over 3 million downloads<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blinkpr.co.nz/marketing-renaissance/|title=Marketing Renaissance|first=Alison|last=Brown|date=28 November 2017|website=Blink Public Relations and Marketing|language=en-NZ|access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref> and was the number one podcast in five countries. Stuff also produced ''Gone Fishing'' with [[Radio New Zealand]], which won podcast of the year<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1911/S00185/two-wins-for-rnz-at-international-media-awards.htm|title=Two wins for RNZ at international media awards |date=8 November 2019|website=www.scoop.co.nz|access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref> at the 2019 NZ Radio Awards.


In 2018 Stuff launched Quick! Save the Planet<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/mediawatch/audio/2018709007/media-s-worldwide-push-for-climate-change-coverage|title=Media's worldwide push for climate change coverage|date=2019-08-16|website=RNZ|language=en-nz|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref> to increase news coverage of [[climate change in New Zealand]] and in 2019 Stuff joined the Covering Climate Now<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.coveringclimatenow.org/partners|title=Partners|website=Covering Climate Now|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref> international initiative.
In 2018 Stuff launched Quick! Save the Planet<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/mediawatch/audio/2018709007/media-s-worldwide-push-for-climate-change-coverage|title=Media's worldwide push for climate change coverage|date=16 August 2019|website=RNZ|language=en-nz|access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref> to increase news coverage of [[climate change in New Zealand]] and in 2019 Stuff joined the Covering Climate Now<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.coveringclimatenow.org/partners|title=Partners|website=Covering Climate Now|language=en-US|access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref> international initiative.


===Stuff Circuit===
⚫
In 2019 Stuff Circuit's Life + Limb investigation<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/403448/blast-from-nz-firing-range-ammunition-kills-afghan-children|title=Blast from NZ firing range ammunition kills Afghan children|date=2019-11-17|website=RNZ|language=en-nz|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref> into unexploded ordnance on [[New Zealand Defence Force]] firing ranges in Afghanistan prompted Prime Minister [[Jacinda Ardern]] to order the clearing of the ranges.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/403565/prime-minister-expects-defence-force-to-speed-up-clearance-of-afghanistan-firing-ranges|title=Prime Minister expects Defence Force to speed up clearance of Afghanistan firing ranges|date=2019-11-18|website=RNZ|language=en-nz|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref>
In 2019, Stuff launched an investigative journalism documentary series called ''Stuff Circuit'' with funding from [[New Zealand on Air]]. Notable titles and topics have included ''Big Decision'' ([[Abortion Legislation Act 2020|abortion law reform]]), ''Life + Limb'' (New Zealand's military involvement in the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|War in Afghanistan]]), ''False Profit'' (which focused on conspiracy theorist and [[New Zealand Public Party]] founder [[Billy Te Kahika]]), ''Deleted'' (which looked at New Zealand companies alleged to be complicit in human rights abuses in [[Xinjiang]]), ''Disordered'' (which focused on the treatment of people with [[Foetal Alcohol Syndrome]]), and ''Fire and Fury'' (which looked at vaccine disinformation and conspiracy theories in the wake of the [[2022 Wellington protests]]. The documentaries are published on Stuff's website.<ref>{{cite news |title=CIRCUIT – An investigative documentary series |url=https://interactives.stuff.co.nz/circuit/ |access-date=10 February 2023 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Stuff (company)|Stuff]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Stuff Circuit investigative reporting |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/stuff-circuit |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Stuff (company)|Stuff]] |access-date=10 February 2023}}</ref>


⚫
In November 2019, Stuff's ''Life + Limb'' documentary's coverage of unexploded ordnance on [[New Zealand Defence Force]] firing ranges in Afghanistan prompted Prime Minister [[Jacinda Ardern]] to order the clearing of the ranges.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/403448/blast-from-nz-firing-range-ammunition-kills-afghan-children|title=Blast from NZ firing range ammunition kills Afghan children|date=17 November 2019|work=[[Radio New Zealand]]|language=en-nz|access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/403565/prime-minister-expects-defence-force-to-speed-up-clearance-of-afghanistan-firing-ranges|title=Prime Minister expects Defence Force to speed up clearance of Afghanistan firing ranges|date=18 November 2019|work=[[Radio New Zealand]]|language=en-nz|access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref>
During the trial of [[Clayton Weatherston]], press.co.nz, a subsidiary section on Stuff, accidentally ran the headline "Guilty of Murder" the day before the jury delivered the verdict. The article was quickly withdrawn, and Fairfax executive editor [[Paul Thompson (media executive)|Paul Thompson]] said it was a mistake "we take very seriously."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Porteous |first1=Debbie |title=Contempt rethink needed, academic says |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/contempt-rethink-needed-academic-says |access-date=20 November 2020 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=25 July 2009 |language=en}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
{{Portal|New Zealand|Journalism}}
* [[Media of New Zealand]]
* [[Media of New Zealand]]
{{clear}}


==References==
==References==
Line 71: Line 81:


==Sources==
==Sources==
*{{cite book |last1=Crean |first1=Mike |title=The Press : first with the news : an illustrated history |date=2011 |publisher=Random House NZ |location=Auckland |isbn=1869795628}}
*{{cite book |last1=Crean |first1=Mike |title=The Press : first with the news : an illustrated history |date=2011 |publisher=Random House NZ |location=Auckland |isbn=978-1869795627}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{official website}}
* {{official website}}
* {{Twitter|NZStuff}}


{{Stuff}}
{{Stuff}}


[[Category:Stuff (company)| ]]
[[Category:Fairfax Media]]
[[Category:Fairfax Media]]
[[Category:Internet properties established in 2000]]
[[Category:Internet properties established in 2000]]
[[Category:New Zealand news websites]]

Latest revision as of 05:59, 23 May 2024

This article is about the New Zealand news website. For the unrelated British magazine, see Stuff (magazine).

Stuff
Wordmark
Screenshot of the Stuff main page, taken on 5 April 2018
Type of site
News
Available inEnglish
OwnerStuff Limited
Created byIndependent Newspapers
URLstuff.co.nz
CommercialYes
RegistrationOptional
Launched27 June 2000; 24 years ago (2000-06-27)[1]
Current statusOnline

Stuff is a New Zealand news media website owned by newspaper conglomerate Stuff Ltd (formerly called Fairfax). As of early 2024, it is the most popular news website in New Zealand,[2] with a monthly unique audience of more than 2 million.[3]

Stuff was founded in 2000,[4] and publishes breaking news, weather, sport, politics, video, entertainment, business and life and style content from Stuff Ltd's newspapers, which include New Zealand's second- and third-highest circulation daily newspapers, The Post and The Press, and the highest circulation weekly, Sunday Star-Times, as well as international news wire services.

Stuff has won numerous awards at the Newspaper Publishers' Association awards including 'Best News Website or App' in 2014[5] and 2019,[6] and 'Website of the Year' in 2013[7] and 2018.[8]

History

[edit]

Independent Newspapers Ltd, 2000–2003

[edit]

The former New Zealand media company Independent Newspapers Ltd (INL), owned by News Corp Australia, launched Stuff on 27 June 2000 at a cybercafe in Auckland, after announcing its intention to go online more than a year earlier.[1][9] The development of Stuff was supported by Don Higgins, Corporate Development Manager and Mark Wierzbicki, founding Internet Business Manager. Advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi conceived the name "Stuff", and INL had to buy the domain name from a cyber squatter.[1] In its first month, the site had 120,000 unique visitors.[9] At the time, Wierzbicki described the name as a copywriter's dream, although he conceded that "it's not without risk, especially if we stuff up." The start up was built by a group of engineers from a few tech companies in Wellington led by founding CTO and engineering manager Will Everitt and project manager Bill Alp and used a software platform from News Corp Australia's news.com.au.

Fairfax Media and Nine Entertainment, 2003–2020

[edit]

On 30 June 2003, INL sold its publishing assets including The Dominion Post, The Press, and the Stuff website to Fairfax Media.[10][11]

Fairfax upgraded the website in December 2006, and again on 4 March 2009, adding the ability for visitors to personalise the homepage.[12] The first mobile phone news service from Stuff began in 2003, in a partnership with Vodafone New Zealand. On 21 April 2009, Stuff launched a dedicated mobile site.[13]

Logo used from 2016 to 2022

On 1 February 2018, the parent company of Stuff changed its name from Fairfax New Zealand Limited to Stuff Limited.[14] In December 2018 Stuff was merged into Nine Entertainment.[15]

Sinead Boucher, 2020–present

[edit]

On 25 May 2020, Nine Entertainment sold Stuff and its holdings including the Stuff website to Stuff's CEO Sinead Boucher for NZ$1, with the transaction completed on 31 May. This marks the return of the company into New Zealand ownership.[16][17][18]

On 30 May 2022, Stuff updated its logo and brand colours.[19]

On 27 April 2023, Stuff confirmed that it would launch separate subscription-based websites for three of its newspapers: The Post, The Press, and Waikato Times. These websites will co-exist with the Stuff news website, which will remain free.[20]

On 17 January 2024, Stuff rolled out a new website and app with a new layout and design. It was immediately met with overwhelming criticism, due to a number of features and sections previously being available removed, including the search function and the technology section. The new design also caused a number of functionality issues, mostly around loading the new homepage with several users reporting the homepage to be stuck in a loading loop. A story posted by Stuff touting the new design and also seeking feedback received over 300 responses with about a dozen positive and the rest negative. Comments on this story were later removed. Since the rollout, traffic and readership has reportedly dropped by up to 20%.[21]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Stuff (website)

Stuff.co.nz has won numerous awards at the Newspaper Publishers' Association awards (currently branded as the Voyager Media Awards) including Best News Website or App in 2014 and 2019,[22][23] and Website of the Year in 2013 and 2018.[24][25]

Content and coverage

[edit]

In July 2008, during the trial of Clayton Weatherston, press.co.nz, a subsidiary section on Stuff, accidentally ran the headline "Guilty of Murder" the day before the jury delivered the verdict. The article was quickly withdrawn, and Fairfax executive editor Paul Thompson said it was a mistake "we take very seriously."[26]

On 17 April 2013, to celebrate the passing of same-sex marriage in New Zealand, the colour of the Stuff logo was changed from black to the colours associated with the pride flag.[27]

In 2017, Stuff's first podcast Black Hands received over 3 million downloads[28] and was the number one podcast in five countries. Stuff also produced Gone Fishing with Radio New Zealand, which won podcast of the year[29] at the 2019 NZ Radio Awards.

In 2018 Stuff launched Quick! Save the Planet[30] to increase news coverage of climate change in New Zealand and in 2019 Stuff joined the Covering Climate Now[31] international initiative.

Stuff Circuit

[edit]

In 2019, Stuff launched an investigative journalism documentary series called Stuff Circuit with funding from New Zealand on Air. Notable titles and topics have included Big Decision (abortion law reform), Life + Limb (New Zealand's military involvement in the War in Afghanistan), False Profit (which focused on conspiracy theorist and New Zealand Public Party founder Billy Te Kahika), Deleted (which looked at New Zealand companies alleged to be complicit in human rights abuses in Xinjiang), Disordered (which focused on the treatment of people with Foetal Alcohol Syndrome), and Fire and Fury (which looked at vaccine disinformation and conspiracy theories in the wake of the 2022 Wellington protests. The documentaries are published on Stuff's website.[32][33]

In November 2019, Stuff's Life + Limb documentary's coverage of unexploded ordnance on New Zealand Defence Force firing ranges in Afghanistan prompted Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to order the clearing of the ranges.[34][35]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Scherer, Karyn (28 June 2000). "Online launch for INL 'stuff'". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
  2. ^ "New Zealand's Top Local News Sites – July 2018". nielsen.com. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  3. ^ "First Herald paywall audience numbers". Newsroom. 20 June 2019. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  4. ^ Crean 2011, p. 9.
  5. ^ "2014 Winners". Voyager Media Awards. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  6. ^ "Digital Winners 2019". Voyager Media Awards. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  7. ^ "2013 Winners". Voyager Media Awards. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  8. ^ "2018 winners". Voyager Media Awards. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  9. ^ a b "A million readers get Stuff". National Business Review. 6 August 2005. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
  10. ^ "Inl Shareholders Approve Sale To Fairfax". Scoop / INL press release. 30 June 2003. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
  11. ^ "Fairfax snaps up NZ publisher". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 14 April 2003. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
  12. ^ "Stuff redesign: All the stuff you ever wanted". Scoop/Fairfax Media press release. 4 March 2009. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
  13. ^ "Stuff Goes Mobile – Get Stuff Wherever You Go". Scoop/Fairfax Media press release. 21 April 2009. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
  14. ^ "Stuff's journey from newspaper pioneer to website to 'portfolio' business". Stuff. 1 February 2018. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  15. ^ "Stuff's journey from newspaper pioneer to website to 'portfolio' business". Stuff. 1 February 2018. Archived from the original on 13 December 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  16. ^ Pullar-Strecker, Tom (25 May 2020). "Stuff ownership to return to NZ after management buy-out". Stuff. Archived from the original on 25 May 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  17. ^ Rutherford, Hamish (25 May 2020). "Stuff sold for $1 to CEO Sinead Boucher by Nine Entertainment". New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 25 May 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  18. ^ "Stuff chief executive Sinead Boucher buys company for $1". Radio New Zealand. 25 May 2020. Archived from the original on 25 May 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  19. ^ Norris, Joanna (29 May 2022). "Bold, fun, original: The kaupapa behind Stuff's new look". Stuff. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  20. ^ "Stuff to put up first paywalls for news". Radio New Zealand. 27 April 2023. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  21. ^ "Sky's upbeat while NZME falls short". Newsroom. 22 February 2024.
  22. ^ "Digital Winners 2019". Voyager Media Awards. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  23. ^ "2014 Winners". Voyager Media Awards. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  24. ^ "2013 Winners". Voyager Media Awards. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  25. ^ "2018 winners". Voyager Media Awards. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  26. ^ Porteous, Debbie (25 July 2009). "Contempt rethink needed, academic says". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  27. ^ Stevens, Mark (17 April 2013). "Stuff celebrates marriage equality". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  28. ^ Brown, Alison (28 November 2017). "Marketing Renaissance". Blink Public Relations and Marketing. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  29. ^ "Two wins for RNZ at international media awards". www.scoop.co.nz. 8 November 2019. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  30. ^ "Media's worldwide push for climate change coverage". RNZ. 16 August 2019. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  31. ^ "Partners". Covering Climate Now. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  32. ^ "CIRCUIT – An investigative documentary series". Stuff. Stuff. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  33. ^ "Stuff Circuit investigative reporting". Stuff. Stuff. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  34. ^ "Blast from NZ firing range ammunition kills Afghan children". Radio New Zealand. 17 November 2019. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  35. ^ "Prime Minister expects Defence Force to speed up clearance of Afghanistan firing ranges". Radio New Zealand. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 29 February 2020.

Sources

[edit]
  • Crean, Mike (2011). The Press : first with the news : an illustrated history. Auckland: Random House NZ. ISBN 978-1869795627.
[edit]
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