Draft:Somar Digital
Submission declined on 22 July 2025 by Anerdw (talk).
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Comment: I'm not seeing reliable, independent significant coverage. Press releases (of which this draft cites many) aren't significant coverage. The non-press release sources are mostly from news sites of dubious reliability. Anerdw (talk) 03:26, 22 July 2025 (UTC)
- Comment: In accordance with the Wikimedia Foundation's Terms of Use, I disclose that I have been paid by my employer for my contributions to this article. Dtc21 (talk) 04:43, 21 July 2025 (UTC)
Somar Digital is a Wellington-based digital agency founded in 2008. The company provides web design, development, hosting, and digital marketing services. Somar Digital primarily works with public sector organisations, non-profits, and NGOs in New Zealand.
History
[edit]Somar Digital was founded in 2008 by Aaron Scott, who also served as its first CEO. The agency began as a web development and design provider and has since expanded its services to include cloud hosting, and digital marketing services, such as Search Engine Optimisation and Search Engine Marketing.
In 2022, Fiona Reid was appointed Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Aaron Scott[1]. Over time, the company has undertaken projects such as the redevelopment of the Metlink website and mobile application,[2] the launch of the TransitDash software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform,[3] and became an Amazon Web Services (AWS) partner.[4]
Services
[edit]Somar Digital’s services include:
- Web design and development
- UX and UI design
- Silverstripe CMS implementation
- Cloud hosting and platform management, primarily using AWS
- Search engine optimisation (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM)
The company has also developed products such as TransitDash, a SaaS platform for public transport agencies to assist with managing customer communications.[5]
Notable Projects
[edit]Somar Digital has been involved in projects for government agencies, public transport services, and non-profit organisations.
Ministry of Social Development: Family Violence Tools
[edit]In 2022, the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) commissioned Somar Digital to build two digital tools to address family violence in New Zealand. The In Your Hands website and the Service Finder Tool provide information and resources for victims, perpetrators, and community workers. The project aligned with New Zealand government accessibility standards.[6]
Interislander Website Redevelopment
[edit]Somar Digital redeveloped the Interislander ferry booking website for KiwiRail. The updated site, launched in 2023, introduced a revised navigation structure, notification features, and mobile optimisation. These changes were intended to address issues identified in customer feedback.[7]
CentrePort Website
[edit]CentrePort Wellington engaged Somar Digital to redesign its website. The project included restructuring the site’s information architecture and adapting it for use across multiple devices. It provided CentrePort with a platform for publishing operational updates and information for stakeholders.[8]
DIA Marketplace
[edit]Somar Digital worked with the Department of Internal Affairs to redesign the Marketplace website, a platform used by government agencies to procure digital services. Additions to the website included search and filtering upgrades and general quality of life updates.[9]
Metlink Real-Time Information and Tools
[edit]Somar Digital has worked with Metlink, the Wellington region’s public transport network, on several projects. These included redeveloping the Metlink website and app, integrating real-time vehicle tracking, journey planning tools, and service alert features. In 2023, Somar Digital introduced the Total Cost of Journey calculator, funded by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, which compares transport mode costs.[10] The company has contributed to the rollout of real-time information displays for Wellington’s public transport network.[11]
Somar Digital was also recognised for its Metlink website and app by the Web Marketing Association’s WebAward in 2016.[12]
BayBus Website
[edit]The Bay of Plenty Regional Council contracted Somar Digital to design a new website for BayBus, the region’s public transport service. The site incorporated accessibility features, improved mobile navigation, and integrated GTFS (General Transit Feed Specification) data for live scheduling and service alerts.[13]
Plan My Walk App
[edit]Somar Digital partnered with the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council to develop Plan My Walk, an online trip planning tool for trampers and outdoor users. The platform includes trail descriptions, weather data, and gear checklists. Research cited by the Mountain Safety Council reported increased user preparedness after the App’s release.[14]
Citizens Advice Bureau
[edit]Somar Digital created a new website and intranet platform for Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand (CAB) to consolidate community services, legal information, and multilingual support. The platform received the Public Good Award at the Best Awards.[15]
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory
[edit]Somar Digital redesigned the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZAA) website for the Mountain Safety Council. The updated site introduced a simplified interface and mobile responsiveness to make avalanche forecasts easier to interpret. It received recognition in the User Experience category at the Best Awards.[16]
Recognition
[edit]Somar Digital was included in the 2023 Deloitte Fast 50, an index highlighting high-growth companies in New Zealand’s technology sector.[17] The company also received innovation funding from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to develop the Total Cost of Journey calculator for Metlink.[18]
Team members from Somar Digital have participated as speakers at events including T-Tech and the ITS Asia-Pacific Forum.[19]
Corporate Affairs
[edit]Somar Digital is headquartered in Wellington, New Zealand. The leadership team includes:
- Fiona Reid – Chief Executive Officer
- Shaun Hunter – Head of Innovation
- Denelle Joyce – Head of Customer Success
- Jeremy Ironside – Head of Development and Infrastructure
- Jess Thompson – Head of Delivery
The company is a member of the AWS Partner Network[20] and a Silverstripe Professional Partner.[21]
See Also
[edit]Digital Services & Technology
[edit]- Web development
- User experience design
- Content management system
- Cloud computing
- Software as a service (SaaS)
New Zealand Context
[edit]- Transport in New Zealand
- Public transport in the Wellington Region
- Government of New Zealand
- Greater Wellington Regional Council
- Ministry of Social Development (New Zealand)
- Interislander
Platforms and Partnerships
[edit]External Links
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Thursday; September 2022, 1; Digital, 9:47 am Press Release: Somar. "Somar Digital Appoints Fiona Reid As Chief Executive Officer | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
{{cite web}}:|first2=has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Wednesday; July 2023, 5; Digital, 12:44 pm Press Release: Somar. "Metlink Unveils Major Improvements And New Features To The Metlink App And Website | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
{{cite web}}:|first2=has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Monday; September 2024, 16; Digital, 2:00 am Press Release: Somar. "Somar Digital Launches TransitDash: A Visionary SaaS Solution To Unlock The Future Of Public Transport Information | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
{{cite web}}:|first2=has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Wednesday; March 2022, 30; Digital, 2:35 pm Press Release: Somar. "Somar Digital Achieves Amazon Web Services Partner Status | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
{{cite web}}:|first2=has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Williams, Shannon (9 September 2024). "Somar Digital launches TransitDash for optimised public transport". TelcoNews New Zealand.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Wednesday; October 2022, 5; Digital, 9:11 am Press Release: Somar. "Somar Digital Helps Launch Two New Digital Tools Tackling Family Violence | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
{{cite web}}:|first2=has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Thursday; February 2023, 9; Digital, 9:39 am Press Release: Somar. "New Interislander Website Will Bring Significant Benefits To Customers | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
{{cite web}}:|first2=has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "CentrePort launches new website built by Somar Digital - stoppress.co.nz". stoppress.co.nz. 2023-05-01. Archived from the original on 2023-05-08. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
- ^ Team, StopPress (June 14, 2023). "Somar Digital helps streamline government procurement in NZ with upgrades to Marketplace". StopPress.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Hoe ki angitū round one – Somar Digital | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi". www.nzta.govt.nz. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
- ^ "Real-time info coming to Wellington's public transport signs". RNZ. 2023-12-14. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
- ^ "Somar Design Studios wins 2016 WebAward for Metlink Wellington Public Transport Website". www.webaward.org. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
- ^ Wednesday; October 2024, 2; Digital, 11:18 am Press Release: Somar. "Somar Digital Introduces New Baybus Website, Making Public Transport Information More Accessible | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
{{cite web}}:|first2=has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Team, StopPress (December 1, 2022). "Research shows Plan My Walk significantly impacting safety outdoors". StopPress.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Citizens' Advice Bureau Website & Intranet | Best Awards". bestawards.co.nz. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
- ^ "NZ Avalanche Advisory Website | Best Awards". bestawards.co.nz. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
- ^ Friday; November 2023, 24; Digital, 10:27 am Press Release: Somar. "Somar Digital Recognised In Deloitte's 2023 Fast 50 Awards, Showcasing Exceptional Growth In The New Zealand Tech Sector | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
{{cite web}}:|first2=has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Hoe ki angitū round one – Somar Digital | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi". www.nzta.govt.nz. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
- ^ "Interview With Leading New Zealand ITS companies——Somar Digital | 7ITS NEWS". www.7itsnews.com. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
- ^ "Somar Digital earns two new AWS partner badges". Reseller News. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
- ^ "SilverStripe Developer Network". www.silverstripe.org. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
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