OUR STORY

OUR STORY

Allan and Pat Mortensen decided to escape the rat race in the late 1990s and moved from Auckland to Dargaville where they started their new journey with the formation of a publishing company, North West Multi Media. Along with providing the community with a print broking and graphic design service they published Go North West, a tourism newspaper featuring the Twin Coast Discovery Highway

Growth was substantial and impressive, and in 2006 the decision was made to focus on the publishing side of the business, concentrating on the rapidly growing new masthead, the Kaipara Lifestyler.

The Kaipara Lifestyler was increased in frequency to become a trusted weekly arrival in more than 10,300 mailboxes. At the same time, the editor and management identified a unique point of difference in the company’s approach, finding it a perfect fit for rural readers. A new series of ‘Farming Lifestyles' was born, with over time, the creation of the existing monthly portfolio of the Northern Farming Lifestyles, Waikato Farming Lifestyles, Taranaki Farming Lifestyles, Manawatu Farming Lifestyles and the Hawke’s Bay Farming Lifestyles.

The formula of sharing the success stories of Kiwi rural ‘characters’, innovators and forward-thinkers in a regional format proved a hit.

A major highlight for Allan and Pat of their business growth has been the creation of some 25 jobs in a small rural community.

In 2018 the company name was changed to Integrity Community Media Ltd. The name was chosen as fitting for the company, representing as it does the core journalistic values of honesty and accuracy, along with service to our local communities who we strive to inform, educate, entertain and advise with timely fact-checked, researched and accurate news, combined with well crafted, enjoyable feature content. Under this banner, in 2020, the Kaipara Lifestyler (often bursting at the seams with weekly stories), was expanded with the introduction of the weekly Weekend Lifestyler, a modern, magazine-style tabloid serving up more in-depth reads and reviews for the ever-growing Kaipara area. 

Web and digital platforms have also been developed to best serve a wider readership. With this coverage and scope Integrity Community Media continue to explore new ways to share the stories of New Zealand’s heartland with its people.