2. The new digital environment
2.2 The challenges
Digital Strategy 2.0 will need to take account of this fast-moving environment. For New Zealand to be digitally nimble, we must be adept in using the latest digital technologies, businesses must be ready
to benefit from the global business opportunities offered by digital technology and broadband, and the government must be able to respond rapidly to technology developments and environmental changes.
As a key part of the digital strategy refresh, the Digital Future Summit 2.0 held in November 2007
engaged stakeholders in a national conversation on the direction and shape of New Zealand’s digital future. The feedback from the Summit has been both positive and constructive, and has directly informed this draft strategy.
The 2005 Digital Strategy identified the three enablers, known as the three Cs, for ensuring all New Zealanders can take advantage of our digital future: connection, confidence and content. The Summit affirmed that the three Cs are still the critical enablers and that we have made good progress under each, allowing the future emphasis to change.
THE THREE ENABLERS /////
Connection – high-speed broadband provides the means to be digital.
Confidence gives us the skills and a secure digital environment.
Content is the driver for connection and confidence by providing a compelling reason to be digital. |
The Summit also recognised that we can no longer consider the agents of change – communities, businesses and government – in isolation from each other. They must be better connected and their interests better aligned on digital matters. We must also take better account of the interests of Mäori, local government and the research community. Collaboration is the new fourth enabler of the digital strategy.
The six challenges presented by participants at the close of the Summit reflect the renewed focus on the enablers – the three Cs and collaboration, and on the outcomes that can be achieved from being digital.
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THE DIGITAL FUTURE SUMMIT 2.0 CHALLENGES //////
1. The agents of change must collaborate:
“The more effectively that central government, local government, businesses and communities work together, the faster broadband connectivity will happen. How can we work together more effectively?”
2. We need faster and cheaper broadband:
“Fast, affordable and broadly available internet access is essential for us to make the transition to a digital economy. What immediate practical steps can be taken to make this happen?”
3. Make better use of digital technology across the economy:
“Increasing productivity and innovation is key to transforming our economy. How can digital technologies be leveraged in the quest for higher productivity?”
4. Think differently about digital technology:
“A mindset change to adopt technology and ‘be digital’ is needed across New Zealand to take us forward. How do we do this?”
5. Ensure that everyone benefits from being digital:
“The digital revolution is not being shared equally across all ages, regions, ethnic groups and other communities in New Zealand. How can the digital divide be bridged?”
6. Make better use of digital technology for sustainability:
“The issue of sustainability is affecting every part of our economy and society. How can digital solutions be leveraged to help us achieve our sustainability goals?” |
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THE DIGITAL FUTURE SUMMIT 2.0 //////
About 540 people attended the Digital Future Summit 2.0 in November 2007. They represented a broad cross-section of New Zealand interest groups, including local and international businesses, communities, young people, researchers, Mäori, and central and local government organisations. Webcast live and via Second Life, many more New Zealanders were also able to participate virtually.
The Summit was chaired by international financial journalist Rod Oram. Inspirational speakers included Generation Y presenters telling us we are not moving fast enough, New Zealand telecommunications specialists sharing their wisdom and internationally renowned speakers who contributed their ideas on New Zealand’s digital future.
To help reduce the Summit’s carbon footprint, Chris Anderson - author of The Long Tail - and Andy Lark, expatriate kiwi and Vice-President of Dell Computers, both presented via high-definition videoconferencing rather than attending in person. Chris talked about the trend away from popular products to customised products, and viewing the likes of Google and Facebook as aggregators of content and people niches, respectively.
Andy suggested that bandwidth was not our only challenge, as the technology demands for electricity supply to data storage centres are rising exponentially, challenging their sustainability.
TradeMe founder Sam Morgan, suggested that the future of markets is online, allowing firms to buy and sell in ways that have not been available before. Online, niche markets can be combined in ways that stimulate innovation and keep small global players, like New Zealand, internationally competitive. |
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