Extra, extra, read all about it! Here’s a PledgeMe success for all you news buffs out there. NWZ.co.nz is a brand new, independently run, almost-fledged website run by students and recent graduates that are keen to take the NZ journalism industry by storm. NWZ.co.nz will focus on a wide range of information designed for a New Zealand audience, covering poignant topics such as LGBT rights, the environment and income equality.

What’s more? NWZ has managed to secure relationships with several decent international news organisations and niche websites, who have agreed to let the news website syndicate their articles. Fantabulous!

NWZ reached its funding goal of $4000. This will cover web development costs, web hosting fees, video/sound equipment plus other administration fees. This achievement will also prove to government funding entities that there is a demand for this sort of website! Darn right, it’s true!!!

NWZ gave away some amazing rewards to their crowds. Here’s an example with a kitty. We like, we like.

Here’s what the bright young things at NWZ had to say about their crowdfunding experience…

What did you like about PledgeMe?
I’ve loved the concept of crowdfunding since Kickstarter first launched, so I think it’s great that there’s a similar service operating locally. The site is great and the team behind it are really lovely/helpful.

How did you find the experience?
Overwhelmingly positive, motivating and inspiring.

Any tips for newbies?
Make a video, even it’s amateur-ish (ours had rubbish sound recording) people will still connect way more with your idea/cause.

I say crowdfunding, you say:
So dope.

April 17th. What a night. The #thanksamillion party is definitely going to go down in PledgeMe history as the BEST NIGHT EVER. We thought that one venue wasn’t enough to merit such an occasion, so we chose three – potentially re-defining the term ‘pub crawl’ on Tory Street, with partygoers marching proudly between Hawthorn Lounge, Poquitos, and Puppies. Despite the cold and somewhat dreary weather, our successes and supporters made the effort to join us in our revelry and celebrate $1m worth of creative crowdfunding achievement. It was a night to remember!

 The first bus of the party goers meanders between Poquitos, Hawthorn Lounge and Puppies. Their rain-deflecting efforts were PledgeMe colour co-ordinated. Coincidence? We think not – Oona Verse is the lady to thank!

At the Hawthorn Lounge, guests were offered dim romantic lighting and Minuit’s very own Ruth and Paul playing a set of 1930s love tunes, as the dynamic duo, Cole Porter and Me. Ruth wore her PledgeMe blue colours – and the vinyl turntables reminded us of their PledgeMe project a wee while back.

Puppets dominated the entertainment at Poquitos, where PledgeMe success, Puppet Fiction, entertained guests with stringed drama and theatrics.

Let’s go surfing now, everybody’s learning how… PledgeMe’s very own Anna surfed the crowd at Poquitos, offering a powerful (and slightly terrifying) metaphor of the beauty that is crowdfunding, thanks to project success Oona Verse and Anna Dean’s scheming. One hand might not get you off the ground, but a whole lot of hands makes a fun ride. Nothing like a bit of crowdsurfing to get the party going!

DJ TV DiSKO kept the sweet beats going at Puppies, where people continued to party after 8pm. Big shout out to Tuatara for providing delicious beer for our guests’ enjoyment. Best beer in the land!

We’re pretty / absolutely gobsmacked by the numbers that turned out. It was a fabulous opportunity to raise glasses to the amazing project creators and pledgers. You guys are the absolute bits! Crowdfunding would be nothing without you, the fantastic crowd

It might be heading towards winter (especially in wet rainy Wellington), but at least there is some light at the end of the tunnel. This summer, the Northland Youth Theatre got funding to perform Homer’s classical poem, The Odyssey. The group were ecstatic about meeting their $3500 funding goal, and just to say thanks to their extraordinary crowd. Check out their thank you vid – it will give you the warm fuzzies.

Here’s what the Northland Youth Theatre had to say about their PledgeMe experience…

What did you like about PledgeMe?
It gave us an opportunity to give back to those who donated and it definitely helped promote our show before we had even begun.

How did you find the experience?
Positive.
For first time crowd funders the website was very easy to use and we have found a form of funding that we will definitely recommend and use again.

Any tips for newbies?
Share widely!
Use friends, family and anyone else you know – word of mouth is free!
For a younger audience Facebook is is a great way to get the word out.

Anything you’d change about PledgeMe?
Not a thing

I say crowdfunding, you say:
Awesome!

The team behind the Bring Andy (Food Forest) to Auckland project secured enough support to get University of Otago food forest expert Andy Cambeis to take a look at the viability of starting a forest eco-system on Waiheke. Imaging taking a bushwalk through a massive vegetable patch?

These food forests are self-sustaining and require little to no human assistance. Forget the watering can. Ain’t nobody got time for that. An edible forest? Yes please. The great outdoors is sounding much more tasty. For more info, check out their project page here.

Waiheke Food Forest organiser James also had a couple of things to say about PledgeMe, and shared some photos from Andy’s visit:

What did you like about PledgeMe?
It’s a kiwi thing.

How did you find the experience?
Challenging and fun.

I say crowdfunding, you say:
Connecting.

Youth-operated APAC or Adam Performing Arts Company reached its $500 funding target, getting its theatrical dance performance, YOÜ, to the Auckland Fringe Festival 2013.

The show follows the life of pop icon Lady Gaga; using an upbeat and party-inspired environment to promote equality and acceptance to those being true to themselves. It’s OK to be YOU. Director and producer Adam Procter leads the Onehunga-based company, which he started four years ago at the tender age of 14. Crazy! This is no bad romance!