A reminder that The Central App will experience some changes throughout June, including a new look as well as being faster and more efficient. 

Central App Managing Director Vicki McLean says the app has undergone a thorough rebranding as well as some fine-tuning done to the back-end. 

“We have been around now for nearly five years and covid sped up the use of digital as a medium for information and delivering our everyday needs. 

“More than ever, we are relying on our mobiles - not just for calling people, but now for banking, social media, playing music, taking and sending pics, podcasts, asking ‘Mr Google’ questions, buying goods and services, the list goes on.

“So we agreed we needed to move with this change and change our look, speed, accountability and end user experience to be one where locals can find information relevant to them quicker” 

Vicki says this led to the brand promise for The Central App - to “be better”.

“We know if we are a little better every day, the community is better for it and Central Otago becomes a place other people want to be a part of - either to live, play, work or retire. 

“While online is growing, it is people and relationships that have become our greatest asset. All our team live and work in the community and where possible buy and use only local produce and services. Every bit helps, and we believe in the strength of a community working together to support one another” 

The Central App manager director Vicki McLean wants The Central App to “be a little better every day”. 

The Central App wants to support and reflect on the culture of our community and provide a voice and platform that is different to what is currently on offer.

“We will get deeper into the health and wellbeing of our community providing additional tools such as podcasts, meditation and daily quotes. We want to align with our schools, council and business community and partner with established support groups to help where we can”. 

Recent statistics include 37,590 people now have The Central App on their phone with a large percentage of the adult population of Central Otago using the app weekly. 

Central Otago’s population sits at just over 23,100 (as of June 2020), which shows visitors to the district also upload the app before or while they visit. 

Visitors will see an improved service with a welcome visitors section which will provide all the activities and things to do while staying and visiting our region.

Users overseas, such as England, North America and Australia also highlight the expat population who love to keep tabs on their home region. 

“With all this information, and various discussions over the last six months, we felt it justified investing to evolve with the communities growing needs - modernising our brand and showing we are serious about what we do and the commitment we want to make to our community.

“We have credibility in this market thanks to the work of our reporters gathering facts from all sides of the story and only delivering a story when the truth can be told.  

“We aim to be better every day, we aim to work closely with the community and our clients to be the guide to Central Otago which everyone comes to for accurate information. 

“Whether that is road conditions, news, Council updates, weather, jobs or local business places to eat, stay, shop or things to experience throughout our district.”

According to Google Analytics, the four of the iapp network individually owned by associated apps of Central, Wanaka, Queenstown and Southland have a combined audience of 177,153 from a local population of just 162,000. 

From March 2020 to February 2021, individual sessions amounted to 2,390,484, while page views totalled a jaw-dropping 12,224,494 across the four apps. 

“It’s great we can now also help those businesses who want to reach a wider audience of locals in other towns through one contact”.

The reach: The Central App now reaches more people than the population of Central Otago. The southern network of four independent apps now reaches more than 177,000 people. 

Vicki says the sturdy foundation of the app has been well-laid, and the future now includes growing with the community and representing the diversity of Central Otago. 

“We want to deepen our value in the community - to ensure we are reflecting who the community is and what they believe in,” she says. 

“‘Evolve’ is the word. We move with the times and community, and we value our time meeting and sharing stories about those unsung heroes of our community who walk our streets every day”

Vicki asks, "If you use the app, please support those who advertise within it. We are not government funded, we rely on the support of the local businesses to list their business with us, or advertise with banner ads. So please be mindful of these locals, and shop, dine or work with them as a way to keep this service growing and say thank you for their support"

The new branding of The Central App features stars set in a clear night’s sky. 

The idea behind this is as we gaze up at the sky above on a clear night in Central Otago you’ll be rewarded with the sparkling wonder which is the Milky Way. 

Amongst the billions of patterns and collections of stars shines the constellation of the Southern Cross; four bright stars form the outline, with another fainter star just below the crossbar. 

Because the Southern Cross can be seen all year round it was used as a navigation tool, especially for those trying to find their way south. 

It is a symbol of location, destination and centrality. 

“The southern cross provides confidence in the ability to venture and expand and connect, but comfort and trust in knowing we are close to home. 

“We honour our home here in Central Otago; our aim is to provide communication that resonates, engages locally and gathers many perspectives that reflect us and the people we share this community with. It's our place”.