Frequently Asked Questions

These are the questions we are being asked most about the website. If you have other questions, please contact us.

Who can add content to the website?

Anyone who had access to the internet. This website is a community project especially created for the community. It is a chance for Northlanders, and people visiting Northland to share their stories and experiences of places in Northland. Simply register to become a part of This is the Place : Ko Tenei Te Wahi.

How do I register, and do I have to pay?

To register for the website, go to the home page at www.thisistheplace.org.nz and click on the Register Now button. It doesn’t cost anything to register. All you need to do is provide a name, username, email address, and password. You will also need to agree to the Terms and Conditions, which protects you as well as us.

Is this a commercial site?

No. This website is for individuals who have stories and experiences to share. This project is a not-for-profit project. As part of our Editorial Policies and Guidelines, we outline what is acceptable and what is not, and we have specifically outlined ‘overtly commercial’ content as inappropriate.

Will my information be safe on the website?

We have taken extended precautions to protect your content on the website. Our systems are backed up daily so information should never be lost. However, we accept that as with all internet projects, there is a small element of risk. We will continue to improve the protection of the website as new technology emerges.

Who decides what content can go on the website?

You do. Any information you load goes straight into the website. We hope and expect that all users of the website will take responsibility for the standard of content, and Contact Us if they come across inappropriate content.
Blue Orb has the right to remove any inappropriate content and ban users who upload such content, as outlined in our Terms and Conditions. However, we also want to create a platform where people can have differing views, and have the chance to discuss these.
Blue Orb will regularly monitor all website content.

Does the content of the stories still belong to me even after I've put them on the website?

Yes. When you sign the Terms and Conditions (when you register), this protects the ownership of any content you add to the website. You remain the owner of your information / content. Blue Orb takes the responsibility as caretaker for your information.

How do I find a place on the website?

There are several ways to find a place on the website. You can use the orange search tool on the left hand side, by typing in a place and then clicking the ‘search’ button. A second option is to go to the Explore page and search and zoom the map to find a place. There are also other explore functions within the site, enabling you to search for authors, contributors, places, types of places etc etc.

Can I put photos on the website?

Yes, every story can contain text, images and / or audio. Each story only needs one of these three assets to be saved on the website. So, you can choose to just have images, or just have text, or all three. You can upload JPG, GIF or PNG images, and the file sizes must be under 2mb.

Can I add stories on behalf of someone else?

Yes. You still need to register and log in as yourself, but when you add a story, you can specify the author of the story. This may be a grandparent or other family member who can no longer write too well on their own, a child who will happily dictate but is still learning to write, or the author from a book who you would like to quote.

How many stories can I add?

As many as you like. The website has been designed to be never-ending. We want it to grow and grow, to act as a living history for Northland, so you can look back on your own stories in 10 years and 20 years, and share them with your children and their children. It is your chance to leave behind a digital legacy of your time on this planet.

Will the website change in the future?

We hope so! We have so many great ideas about how the project can grow and expand and improve, but there is only so much you can do in a day! While the core structure of the website won’t change, we look forward to bringing you lots of new developments, including video functionality in the not too distant future!

Please contact us if you have any other questions.

This is the place

Frequently Asked Questions