A trusted name since 2010 — now doing even more
Localist has been backing Kiwi businesses for over a decade. Since launching in 2010, over 230,000 businesses have joined our network — using Localist to get seen, grow strong, and stay connected with their communities.
But in 2025, things changed.
A tightening economy. A rough winter. And more and more small businesses telling us they couldn’t afford the online presence they needed to compete.
So we stepped up.
Why we’re doing it
The Free Website Initiative was born out of a single, clear belief: When local businesses thrive, our whole country does too.
This isn’t a gimmick or a sales funnel. We’re genuinely offering high-quality, mobile-friendly websites — for free — because we want to help business owners get through tough times and come out stronger.
Whether you’re just starting out or feeling the pinch in a slow season, we’ve got your back.
Who’s behind it?
This project is powered by the team at Localist — with support from our hosting whānau at Hosting Harbour.
We’ve pulled together our developers, designers, and digital marketers to create something that truly helps small businesses without creating extra cost or stress.
No buzzwords. No waffle. Just solid websites, built by people who care about your success.
A Word From Our Managing Director
— Quentin van Heerden,
What this means for you
We’re here to support you – and the causes you care about
When Localist builds you a free website, we don’t expect anything in return.
We do it because we believe in backing local businesses like yours, giving you the tools to grow and succeed online.
But we also have a big heart for the not-for-profit space.
So, when your new website goes live, we give you the choice to pay that good forward—by making a donation to a charity you care about.
It could be $1 or $1,000 – it’s completely up to you.
Every dollar goes directly to the charity you choose.
It’s our way of building stronger businesses and stronger communities, together.