If you want people to back you, you've got to back them first!
From Our Founder – Quentin van Heerden
Localist is back… and we’re here with a superpower.
When I first got involved with Localist, I saw something powerful – a platform built to connect Kiwis up and down the country. But over time, I also saw how tough it’s become for smaller names to compete. Big budgets and big brands often dominate the online space, and for many grass roots campaigns, getting noticed can feel harder than getting a council consent form approved.
That’s why we’re doing something bold.
We’re giving free websites to Kiwi's with passion. Not DIY templates. Not half-finished pages. Fully built, professionally designed websites – hosted, supported, and ready to help you win online.
This is about leveling the playing field. About giving the cafe owner, the plumber, the local charity shop keeper, the community do-good group, or even the weekend gnome-hat maker the same online presence as the big guys – without the big price tag.
It’s fast. It’s easy. And it’s made for locals like you.
But this isn’t just about helping locals – it’s about paying it forward.
We’re asking everyone who gets a free website to pass that love on by supporting a local charity or NGO in some way – whether it’s time, resources, or a simple donation. The idea is simple: if we help you grow, you can help others grow too.
Together, we create a stronger, more connected community.
Because at Localist, we believe the heart of our economy is in the small businesses that make our communities unique. All of the groups and charities give them soul. If we can help you get found, get in touch with others, and grow – and then see you use that success to support causes that matter – then we’re doing our job.
So if you’ve been waiting for the right time to get online – this is it. It takes less than two minutes to apply, and we’ll do the rest.
Localist is back. And we come with a superpower.
– Quentin van Heerden Founder, Localist
Why we build free small business websites
We build beautiful, mobile‑friendly websites — completely free. Other agencies might charge you thousands.
So why do it?
Because we believe in communities and small businesses. Our Localist Free Website program is a way for us to meet locals who trust us with their online presence. Over time, you may choose us for larger projects — and that’s a relationship we value, not something we push.
We believe that building trust — not pushing sales — is what earns real success in the long run.
The place to discover, buy & sell local in NZ.
How can a free website be this good?
We keep it simple — you don’t pay a cent for the build. All you pay for is your registered domain name and hosting, and we’ve got that covered through our sister brand, Hosting Harbour.
With Hosting Harbour, your site runs on fast, secure NZ-based servers, protected by Cloudflare, and managed by a friendly Kiwi team who care about keeping your business online 24/7.
Just rock-solid local infrastructure and the peace of mind that your site is in safe hands.
What happens after you apply?
- We review your application within 24–48 hours.
- If you're a good fit, we match you with one of our account managers from Localist to start the process.
- Together, we build your new website — for free.
All you do: show up, share your vision, and we'll handle the rest.