Supporting locally grounded, globally connected communities

A digitally inclusive country requires a nationwide network of digital hubs – places where people can access computers and the internet, work together and learn from each other. This has already begun – the Aotearoa People’s Network provides free computers, internet access, training and support, and community initiatives such as Computers in Homes provide computers and subsidised broadband access for families who might otherwise miss out. This base will be expanded by accelerating the national rollout of the Aotearoa People’s Network and continuing to work with other stakeholders – community groups, Mäori, health providers, educational organisations and others – to explore and implement locally appropriate solutions. As part of the Aotearoa People’s Network, community kete – open-source community content repositories – will provide a creative, civic digital space where citizen-created content and community histories and stories can be deposited and accessed.

Connecting marae as part of the national network of digital hubs enhances the access of hapü and iwi to the digital world and facilitates the creation of Mäori digital content, including in te reo. Cyberwhare and other digital hubs also provide a way for hapü and iwi to develop and share digital capability and skills, supporting economic as well as community and cultural goals.

Digital technology can strengthen small communities through linking them to larger centres and to specialised services. Fast broadband, for instance, makes it possible for people based in smaller communities to do jobs based in bigger centres, while web links can provide access to services from the outside world. Videoconferencing already allows teachers to teach specialised classes in remote schools. Initiatives such as telemedicine and the National Education Network will continue to expand the range of services available in communities outside major centres, as well as improving service, effectiveness and efficiency across the country.

Part of living in a free and democratic society is participating in civic life by engaging with local and central government processes and decision-making. E-government¹ will increasingly allow people to feed their views, ideas and information back to government, through formal consultation, or, less formally, through wikis, blogs or online forums. The collective wisdom of the public is valuable – after all, the people who are affected by government policy are in the best position to suggest how to make it better.

The internet has become a place for personal expression, social interaction and political debate. Phenomena like Wikipedia are examples of mass public collaboration, creating a valuable resource through millions of small contributions. The digital world allows people to create many different communities of interest. There are over one billion people connected to the web – even if you are one in a million, you will still find 1,000 other people out there who share your ideas and interests.

This sharing and creation of culture and communities online is a powerful incentive for people to gain skills and confidence in the digital world. They can then use these skills for learning or employment, or feed them back into the community. Community and voluntary sector activities offer another rich opportunity for people to engage with the digital world, to create digital tools and record their stories. An ongoing Community Partnership Fund will continue to support digitally-based community activities that develop people’s capability and skills to use digital technology and create digital content. The Community Partnership Fund is about innovation and community participation and supports grassroots initiatives that realise community aspirations through digital technology.

Case studies on multi-media theatre, web 2.0 technologies for Maori language and marae enhancement, and using digital technologies to improve productivity and services in the heartland.

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^{1   E-government in New Zealand. www.e.govt.nz}