TUANZ Interactive Award 2002 Winners

TUANZ Interactive Award 2002 Winners

http:// http://www.shift.co.nz

Amongst the winners of the 2002 TUANZ Interactive Awards were two websites created by Wellington web design firm Shift Ltd. Shift had five websites named as finalists in the TUANZ awards this year and was the only company to pick up two awards.

The new Victoria International Centre website ( http//:www.vuw.ac.nz) won the Marketing category.

The Victoria International Centre website, launched in May this year, was designed to help the university manage their anticipated influx of international students over the next few years. The site helps students get familiar with Wellington and specifically the Victoria campus, prior to coming to New Zealand.

An Admission Requirements Tool allows students to assess their chances of gaining acceptance before applying. The site has a Question and Answer system on every page, and an Interactive Currency Converter which makes it easy to see how much tuition, living expenses and luxury items are in a student’s local currency. Extensive Information including Student Guides, News and a Kiwi Glossary is available online to ease students’ transition into New Zealand.

The Victoria International site has received great feedback from students and representatives worldwide. Tim Fowler, Director, Victoria International shared his comments about the web site development: "...Shift impressed us as people who were genuinely interested in our business. Their team developed an in-depth understanding of what we do and how we do it ... The result was outstanding and exceeded our expectations."

The New Zealand Film Archive website Nga Kaitiaki O Nga Taonga Whitiahua (http://www.filmarchive.org.nz) won the Information Reference category.

Initially launched in December 2001, the New Zealand Film Archive website was developed in partnership with the Bank of New Zealand.

The stories told on the website reflect the bicultural identity of Aotearoa New Zealand and describe how the Archive functions. The site appeals to film enthusiasts who are interested in New Zealand film-makers and the process of film-making, and to subject seekers wanting to discover more about the social history and cultural life of New Zealand as seen through film over the past 100 years.

Visitors are able to switch between English and Maori language on several pages. On other pages they can download the conditions of loaning Archive material, scan the events calendar or register for regular news updates. Visitors to the website can find out what’s screening around New Zealand, including the itinerary for the Bank of New Zealand Travelling Film programme which visits primary, intermediate and secondary schools around the country.

The next phase of development will see the migration of the Archive’s collection database to the Internet, making some 50,000 films, television programmes and videos from the collection accessible through the website.

The New Zealand Film Archive website was also voted “Site of the Month - September 2002” in the New Zealand iMag Magazine.

Three other websites designed and developed by Shift were finalists on the night:
· New Zealand, Home of Middle-earth, a web documentary for Tourism New Zealand http://www.purenz.com/middleearth
· 2002 New Zealand Festival website http:// http://www.nzfestival.telecom.co.nz and
· Powhiri, New Zealand's Welcoming Spirit http://www.purenz.com/powhiri for Tourism New Zealand

Shift Ltd. is one of New Zealand’s largest independent web design companies. Shift has specialised in interface design and web communications since its establishment in 1996 and now has 26 staff in its Auckland and Wellington offices. Other awards include being judged Best Web Design Firm in the Netguide Awards for two years running, being runner up in the Cyber Gold category of the Wellington Region Gold Awards this year, and being named a Bronze Winner in the 2002 I.D. Interactive Media Design Review Awards for www.PureNZ.com.

http://www.shift.co.nz

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