APN launches Wellington community magazine

Media giant APN has launched a weekly community magazine in Wellington, replacing five local newspapers.

From this week, CityLife magazine will be delivered to 91,000 homes in Wellington City, Porirua city and Wainuiomata.

It replaces the Wainuiomata News, Cook Strait News, Western News, Independent Herald and Porirua News.

APN launched a similar publication in the Auckland market two-and-a-half years ago.

APN's General Manager in Wellington, Rosie Harrington, said: "There is a world-wide trend for metropolitan free titles to move up-market as readers and advertisers demand better products, and APN is leading that trend in New Zealand."

CityLife Editor Bernie Whelan said the content included stories on local issues, people, school and sports as well as opinion columns and TV listings.

* APN owns nzherald.co.nz, the New Zealand Herald, Herald on Sunday, Aucklander and other papers throughout the country. It is also joint owner of The Radio Network.