Introduction: Responding to the digital revolution

In 2008, the digital world is both ordinary – it affects all aspects of our lives – and extraordinary – it offers revolutionary possibilities in all areas.

The 2005 Digital Strategy talked about connecting to each other and the information we need for our everyday lives. Connection is still important, but this Strategy looks beyond it, to the creativity and opportunities for collaboration unleashed by the interactive, participatory digital world.

People are the bedrock of Digital Strategy 2.0. New technologies foster innovation, but it is people – entrepreneurs, researchers, creatives and people working to make a difference in communities – who are the real source of creativity. No sphere of activity is untouched by the digital revolution – businesses, researchers, Mäori, communities, artists, educators, health workers and many others all engage with the digital world as they carry out their day to day activities. Digital Strategy 2.0 lays down a challenge for all stakeholders to work together, to make New Zealanders leaders in the digital world and create a prosperous, sustainable and vibrant society. Collaboration will be critical to achieving this vision.

Government’s¹ core role is to provide the basics that enable creativity, innovation and collaboration – fast, accessible broadband, a digitally skilled population, secure infrastructure and support for and access to New Zealand content. Government also has a role in supporting businesses and communities to be creative and innovative in the digital world – for example, by supporting digital content firms to grow, or encouraging environmentally friendly solutions like teleworking.

In addition to the national-level actions in this Strategy, local authorities around the country are assisting digital development through a range of activities, from supporting broadband deployment to implementing e-government initiatives. Councils in the Digital Age, published by Local Government New Zealand in 2008, outlines many of these initiatives.²

We now have a national framework for collaboration in place, through the Digital Development Council and Forum.³ The Forum is open to any group with an interest in digital development. It will set the direction and priorities for the work programme of the Digital Development Council. The Forum and Council will be important collaboration partners with government in implementing Digital Strategy 2.0. [See: Governance of the Digital Strategy section for more information on the Council and Forum].

Use the blue bar on the left to navigate through sections of Digital Strategy 2 .0

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^{1 In this Strategy, 'government' refers to both central and local government
2 www.digitalcommunities.org.nz
3 See Appendix 2 for more information about the Digital Development Council and Forum}