‘Super site’ for events

>>> Two Web sites running events calendars – one privately owned and one government-operated – have merged to provide a one-stop shop for events listings.The Eventfinder and NZLive sites will combine their 162,000 and 85,000 visitors per month respectively under the Eventfinder name (www.eventfinder.co.nz). The Ministry for Culture and Heritage's chief executive Lewis Holden said the "bigger, better Web site" was good for all involved.  "It's good for artists and arts organisations because they get maximum exposure by entering their events at no cost in one place and have them appear in many places; it's good for cultural consumers here and overseas because they have one great site where they can find out what's on; and it's good for all New Zealanders because it's a smart, cost- effective solution," he said.Eventfinder chief executive Michael Turner said one of main benefits was bringing the two current Web site audiences to one 'super' site.  "Also, the events content currently on Eventfinder and NZLive.com are syndicated to a range of other Web sites. Combining the sites will make the events and attractions available across many more sites including Stuff, the NZ Herald, Yahoo!Xtra, MSN NZ, AA Travel, Jasons, Tourism New Zealand, Air New Zealand and the MetService. And all of these Web sites will now have the benefit of truly comprehensive, national events coverage," Turner said.The agreement resolves a funding issue inherited by the Ministry from the previous government. The merger is described as a "private-public partnership", and the Ministry will continue to provide some lesser funding, for a staff member and administrative costs.Eventfinder's owners had also publicly questioned the need for a taxpayer-funding events calendar, claiming that $2.8 million had been spent on a resource which was duplicated by sites such as their own.