Minister’s Foreword
There’s a buzz about New Zealand right now. We have vibrant communities. We have innovative people and companies at the creative cutting-edge. Our government strives to be accessible and scores highly internationally in its approach to e-government. And we have an environment and quality of life that are the envy of many.
Much of this has been made possible by developments in information technology and communications. Many New Zealanders have been quick to seize the benefits that technology can bring, to their businesses, their creative energy, and their lives. Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings movies showed Hollywood how it’s done – and down on the farm technology is making a big difference to farm productivity.
But we still have some way to travel on our journey to create a Knowledge Society. Connection should be instantaneous, affordable, and available everywhere. Content needs to be diverse, high quality, and of value to New Zealand users. Technology must be designed with people in mind, who must have the capability and confidence to use it to fully enrich their lives.
We have made good progress already. We have established a competitive and open regulatory environment. The government’s Growth and Innovation Framework (GIF) has set our strategic direction and goals, and a number of initiatives are already taking us forward. Project PROBE has brought broadband access to large areas of New Zealand, the Advanced Network1 is being built to connect our researchers and universities, and we are using ICT to transform government and deliver better services in health and education. But we must keep the momentum going!
Your feedback on the draft Digital Strategy told us we are heading in the right direction.2 You agreed strongly with our focus on spreading the benefits of ICT right across the economy and ensuring all Kiwis can participate, through the three enablers of Content, Confidence, and Connection.
You liked the ideas we floated and the joined-up, partnership approach we proposed. But - quite rightly - you wanted to know how we would make this all happen, and whether there would be funding to match.
We’ve heard you! This Strategy will focus on what we are going to do and how we are going to do it.
The Digital Strategy is a core element of the Growth and Innovation Framework. The government is already spending millions on initiatives to create a Knowledge Society. In addition to new spending in departmental budgets and existing programmes, I can also announce additional funding of nearly $60 million through the government’s Growth and Innovation Framework specifically to deliver the Digital Strategy, including $44.7 million of contestable funding available directly to communities and partnerships. By our reckoning, that’s up to $400 million in Digital Strategy initiatives over the next five years.
To make sure we co-ordinate all these activities properly, I will establish a Digital Strategy Advisory Group, asking community and business people to advise me and other Digital Ministers directly. This will give us oversight of many initiatives and ensure that the various actions proceed in step.
We will need to work together to make it happen. Think of the Strategy as a vote of confidence in the ability of local government, economic development agencies, and others to form partnerships and get active at the local level.
I encourage you to give us your feedback on the Strategy as we move forward. Contact us at: comments@digitalstrategy.govt.nz.
I believe we have a bright, connected, digital future ahead of us. Your overwhelming response to the draft Strategy confirms it. Thanks to all of you who gave us your views. Thanks too to the Digital Champions – those people who are passionate about their communities, and passionate about how ICT can transform them. You will play an important role in creating the Knowledge Society in New Zealand.
In this time of rapid and unprecedented technological change, we need to work together to harness it and create a digital future – for all New Zealanders.
Hon David Cunliffe
Minister for Information Technology
Minister of Communications
1 See www.morst.govt.nz for more information on the Advanced Network
2 A summary of the feedback we received on the draft Digital Strategy is avaiable on this website.
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