Modern technology hopes to bring people together in an old fashioned way after the official launch of the Neighbourly website partnership with the Rotorua District Council.
The creators of www.neighbourly.co.nz, internet entrepreneurs Casey Eden and Rotorua's Shane Bradley, were in Rotorua yesterday to formally announce their first local body partnership in New Zealand with Rotorua's council.
The website fosters interaction and conversation between neighbours and community organisations by creating an easy way for them to talk and share online through free and private websites for their suburbs.
Neighbourly enables Rotorua residents to ask questions, share advice, make recommendations, plan events, discuss local issues and even find missing pets.
"Sadly, these days some of us don't even know who we live next to," Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick said. "There are some parts of Rotorua that don't have strong links to the rest of the community.