Tōu waha, ā tātou wā Use your voice to shape our digital future - JULY 2020
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Use your voice to shape
our digital future
Tōu waha,
ā tātou wā
JULY 2020“Technology can help bring a different
perspective or idea to something you are
creating or doing. It can help you realise
what you’re missing or it can help you
share your creativity with others.”
“If Covid19 has taught me anything is that
technology is access. Access to be able to work
from home, access to be able to be educated
from home, access to be informed and kept up
to date, access to essential services. However
it is also keeps people at home. There needs to
be a balance of technology and getting out of
the house and having face to face time as well.”
“More connectivity means more
opportunity to reach out and ask for
help, more chance of helping others and
as we have learned through the COVID-19
outbreak, staying in touch is the best
way to keep each other safe.”
“There are so many opportunities out there,
but not always a lot of exposure around
what those opportunities are. We should
celebrate virtual opportunities instead of
laughing at them. It's not as unrealistic as
people think!”Contents Background....................................................................3 Vision & Mission.............................................................6 Context............................................................................7 Goals..............................................................................12 Connect - Tūhono........................................................ 13 Action Plan.....................................................................17 Grow - Whakatipu.........................................................19 Action Plan.....................................................................23 Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu - Speak Up & Speak Out......24 Action Plan.....................................................................28 Maanaki - Care..............................................................29 Action Plan.....................................................................37 Whakarato - Deliver.....................................................39 Action Plan.....................................................................43 Better Broadband Poster............................................46
Background | 3
BACKGROUND
Nothing But Net
Finding creative solutions
to address our digital divide
If you have connectivity — and the “Ensure all our local
skills to use it — you can work from communities have accessible,
anywhere, anytime. You can take a reliable Internet access so
course, upskill or earn a degree. You
in times like this [COVID-19
can take part in a remote consultation
with a health professional or keep in
lockdown] or when we are
touch with whanau — wherever they separated by natural causes,
might be. Extending internet access we can still stay connected.”
can help change economies
and societies. Lockdown forced many Far North
residents to become remote workers
“The pandemic has illustrated overnight. For some people, poor or
no connectivity meant this was an
the divide between those who
impossibility. For others this meant
have connectivity and those a slowing or stopping of revenue
who don’t. Although not the as their business did not have an
only way to stay connected, established online presence or they
digital connectivity is becoming lacked the required skills to utilise
more important. If we don’t online platforms.
have that ability, then we miss
out on many opportunities.” “If you look at the Electricity
Industry, I pay the same rate
The digital divide is the gap between per KW/H as a town dweller
those who have connectivity and and my bill is not loaded with
the skills to use it and those who do charges based on the fact
not. It is the result of inadequate
that I live out of town. Whilst
or lacking digital infrastructure,
difficulties in access and affordability,
I get that extra capacity has
poor digital literacy and capability and to be built to service rural
relevance. The COVID-19 pandemic communities, why should we
and resulting nationwide lockdown pay such a premium, to access
has further exposed the digital divide a service that in modern life
across Northland. is an essential one.”Background | 4
“We can maintain our rural
societies by enabling the kids
to go to study and then when
they’re done come back and
live and work in the places
they were born. Without
broadband they will leave In response to the digital challenges
and never return, and our faced by our communities in
communities will wither lockdown, and while connectivity
and die.” and digital skills were top of mind,
Council considered it an opportune
time to start a conversation about
Aside from the economic impacts,
how we could become a more
the lockdown had significant social
digitally enabled district. Using co-
implications. Family members were
design methodologies and a new
physically isolated from each other.
and innovative online engagement
People worried about vulnerable
tool (Video Ask), people were asked a
friends and whanau and what extra
series of questions that linked the 4
stresses like unemployment and
wellbeings and digital connectivity.
loss of income might mean for some
households already living on the
edge. Some young people were not Called ‘Nothing But Net’, engagement
able to continue education online and ran for a 2-week period (1 May-15
became disengaged with learning. For May) and 118 full and complete
those with adequate connectivity and responses (i.e. all 9 questions were
skills, video conferencing platforms answered, that is over 1000 individual
like ‘Zui’s’ (Zoom hui), enabled social responses!) were submitted over this
inclusion and became a key tool to time. Hundreds more submitted
keep in touch. answers to a few questions only or
simply ‘clicked through’ to find out more.
“Zoom has been an awesome
In addition to the qualitative data
tool over the lockdown collected through Nothing But Net,
period, it was our way to stay the Northland Digital Enablement
connected and keep in contact Group’s annual Broadband Speed
with friends, work colleagues Test Surveys (2016-2020) provides
and family members outside quantitative data on broadband
of our bubble.” speeds and insight into ongoing
infrastructure challenges. Both these
pieces of work actively involved
key stakeholders, enabling and
empowering the people affected by
the issues to contribute to developing
the solutions, and they have helped
inform this piece of work, the Nothing
But Net digital strategy.Background | 5
The ‘Nothing But Net’ strategy and
action plan is a 3.5 year plan that
will be used to support our district’s
digital future by directly addressing
the digital divide. Internal and
external reference groups have been
established to provide feedback
and guidance and care has been
taken to ensure Nothing But Net
meets the immediate needs of our
communities.
“If the COVID-19 lockdown has
taught us anything its that
not all of our community is
digitally enabled.”
The Far North District Council
has never approached strategy Ngā mihi
mahana ki a
development in this way before.
This is a new way of doing things
and COVID-19 presented a window
tātou katoa.
to try new things. Nothing But Net is
a collaborative, community-focused
effort with the goal of exploring how
we can use digital technology to grow,
both as individuals and a collective.
We would like to thank everyone who
used their voice to help shape our
digital future. You directly contributed
to the construction of this document
and we hope you can see yourself
reflected in the following pages.
Eliminating the digital divide in the Far
North will take many hands but now
that we have a plan, we can all work
together towards the shared goals of
ensuring that everyone is empowered
by digital technology, our economy is
supported, and no one is left behind.VISION
2023
100% connectivity
100% opportunity
This is in line with the Vision of the Northland Digital Enablement Group.
MISSION
Supporting our people to use
digital connectivity for their
own and collective benefit.CONTEXT | 7
CONTEXT
Digital is a key enabler in the
Te Taitokerau Northland Economic 01
Action Plan (TTNEAP). As an active
member of the Northland Digital Rural Broadband Initiative phase two (RBI2)
targets rural end users who have access to
Enablement Group, the Far North terrestrial broadband services (fixed line or
District Council has been advocating wireless) of less than 20 Mbps maximum
speed in rural New Zealand. At March 2020
for improved digital infrastructure RBI2 has delivered better broadband to
across Northland for the past 5 45,768 rural households and businesses,
years. We have initiated local projects which is 54 per cent of the overall target.
and actively contributed to central
government led digital enablement • There are 6,316 households or businesses
programmes. with RBI2 access in Northland which is 69%
of target.
There are four key central government • There have been 21 mobile towers built
initiatives tasked with delivering better which is 33% of target. 8 of these are in the
Far North District — 2 in the Te Hiku ward
digital infrastructure to our communities (this includes Waitiki Landing) and 6 in the
All are managed by crown-owned Kaikohe-Hokianga ward. There are towers
company Crown Infrastructure planned in the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa
Partners (CIP). These are:; ward but they have not been delivered yet.
• The towers provide 4G service to customers
of all three mobile networks (Spark,
Vodafone and 2degrees) by using shared
antennae technology on the towers,
• In places where towers will not be built,
Wireless Internet Service providers (WISPs)
are being installed.
• Across New Zealand this programme is
taking longer to deliver than anticipated
with the main hold up being leasing land
for tower sites.
• RBI2 mobile towers are being delivered by
the Rural Connectivity Group (RCG) across
New Zealand. In Northland, StrataNet is
the contracted WISPs.CONTEXT | 8
02
The Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB)
programme is the broadband programme
deploying fibre-to- premises to 87 per cent
of the population by 2023 (including private
fibre). Under the UFB programme, smaller
New Zealand towns will receive reliable
and consistent world-class connectivity,
with up to 1 gigabit broadband speeds. At
March 2020, UFB was available to 82 per cent
of the population; with UFB connectivity
04
completed to 169 towns and cities. Under the Mobile Black Spot Fund
Programme (MBSF), mobile coverage is
being deployed to:
• Fibre will be delivered to the following
Far North towns;
Ahipara, Awanui, Hihi, Kaikohe, Kaitaia, • State Highway ‘blackspots’ where there is
Kawakawa, Kerikeri, Mangonui, Moerewa, currently no mobile coverage, to support
Ohaeawai, Okiato, Opononi, Opua, Paihia, public safety in high traffic areas where
Pukenui, Rawene, Russell, Taipa, Tokerau there are high incident rates.
Beach/Whatuwhiwhi.
• 443 kilometres of mobile coverage have
• Fibre has already been delivered to been deployed on State Highway
Kawakawa, Moerewa, Kaikohe and Kerikeri. ‘blackspots’; and tourism locations around
New Zealand where there is currently no
mobile coverage, to support tourism and
• In the Far North this programme is economic growth. 36 tourism sites have
being delivered by Chorus. In Kaipara new mobile coverage.
and Whangarei districts’ Northpower has
the contract.
• There are 5 tourist sites with mobile
coverage across Northland which is 33%
of target.
03 • In Northland there are 74 kilometres of
The Marae Digital Connectivity programme
mobile coverage on State Highways which
enables marae (and regional digital hubs) is 65% of target.
to receive a grant-funded broadband
connection and associated hardware to
enable use of the connection, creating
marae ‘digital hubs’ that support
communities to undertake economic
activity and enhance their digital capability.
• There are 24 Marae connected
in Northland.
• Marae are assessed on a case by case
basis and providers are engaged
depending on the solution required (could
be fixed, wireless, satellite etc).
• Te Puni Kokiri (TPK) are working with the
Ministry of Businesses and Innovation
(MBIE) and CIP to deliver this programme.CONTEXT | 9
Additionally, not officially part of the across rural New Zealand but its
above CIP programme but a piece resources were not evenly allocated.
of work implemented to support the The Far North benefited less than
education needs of students through most other districts. Resources were
the Covid-19 lockdown period, CIP deployed to more populous and
partnered with providers to connect prosperous regions, leaving major
previously unconnected households gaps in both mobile and broadband
with school aged children with 6 coverage across much of the district.
months free broadband. At the end The current RBI2, UFB, MBSF and
of 6 months it will be the whanau’s Marae Connectivity programmes aim
choice if they can commit to to fill these gaps and by 2023, ‘current
continuing with the plan. In May, and planned’ digital infrastructure
CIP also received $15M to oversee mapping shows there will adequate
upgrades in the rural network connectivity to most households in
capacity. These upgrades will be the Far North. Most marae will also
to existing infrastructure – that is be well connected, as will popular
existing Rural Broadband 1 Initiative tourist spots. There will still be gaps
(RBI1) areas — and are not in areas on our State Highways and Public
where the RCG is being deployed Conservation Areas (that is land
under the RBI2/MBSF programme. administered by the Department
It will mean that towers that are of Conservation which accounts for
currently at or near capacity (and 16.8% across the Far North) will have
cannot service any new customers) limited coverage.
will be able to provide service to
more households inside their The New Zealand Census captures
coverage area. internet access data across the
country. According to the 2018
These central government sponsored census, 65.9% of homes in Far North
programmes are helping with District had access to the internet.
‘Universal Service’, which is ensuring This is an increase from the 2013
baseline digital infrastructure is census of 57% but our district is
available. They do not address still below regional and national
‘Meaningful Connectivity’ and indicators for mobile, telephone
‘Universal Access’, which is impactful and internet access. The Census
and equal access for all people. This is also shows a shift in how people
relevant to affordability, poor digital are accessing the internet. In 2018,
literacy, the quality of connectivity when compared to 2013, access to
and relevance issues. In regards to a telephone (landline) was down
baseline standards, the Australian -2,580 households, but access to a
Government has just introduced mobile phone had increased +2,283
minimum broadband speeds for all households. This is in keeping with
Australians. global trends as people move away
from fixed landlines and adopt
The government’s RBI1, completed in mobile technology.
2016, greatly improved broadbandCONTEXT | 10
Every year since 2016 the Far UNESCO Broadband Commission for
North District Council has run a Digital Development in 2011, stating
Broadband Speed Test Survey. it should cost under five percent of
Through taking part, our communities household income. In the Far North,
identify infrastructure issues survey respondents spent between
and improvements. We use this 0.3% and 6.1% of their monthly
independent, crowd-sourced income on broadband services. 92%
data to advocate on behalf of our of respondents spend less than 5%.
communities for better broadband. The 8% that spend more than 5%
There were 173 responses to the are from households with annual
2019/2020 survey. incomes less than $30,000.
In the 2018/19 Northland Broadband Mobile coverage is still poor with 27%
Speed Test Survey, only two per of respondents having no mobile
cent of the Far North District-based reception at home. This was greatest
respondents indicated that they were in Kaikohe-Hokianga ward at 19.4%,
on fibre, while in the 2019/20 survey 12.% in Te Hiku and 5.7% in Bay of
16 per cent did. The mean average Islands-Whangaroa.
download speed across Northland
has increased from 20Mbps to There were 11 different providers
46Mbps, although the median has represented in the survey. There is
only lifted from 15 to 17Mbps. This now more choice than ever in terms
difference in mean and median shows of ‘type’ of broadband – whether it
the rollout of fibre in urban areas has be mobile, fixed (ADSL, VDSL, fibre)
skewed the average speed and the or satellite and improvements
gap in connectivity between those in technology and the increased
in urban areas with fibre, and rural competition in the market means
areas without, is growing the digital that some very expensive options
divide between Northland’s towns (like satellite) have fallen in price and
and rural communities. the quality of service has improved
greatly. Satellite broadband will see
The proportion of respondents further disruption later this year when
indicating that they are more than or SpaceX’s Starlink satellite constellation
very satisfied with the internet service goes live.
has risen from 11 per cent in 2018/19
to 17 per cent in 2019/20 across There are few training and upskilling
Northland. However, one-in-four opportunities in the Far North in the
respondents are not at all satisfied digital space. There are online courses
with the internet service they have offered by overseas or national
and a further 40 per cent are only providers, but students need a base
partly satisfied. These percentages level of digital literacy (and
have not changed a great deal in connectivity) to access these courses.
the past two years. The speed test A few local tertiary providers offer
also looks at affordability issues. degrees and diplomas in web
‘Affordable broadband’ was set by ITU/ development and coding howeverBackground | 11 these are Whangarei based and none for a Digital Public Service, the UN currently operate in the Far North. Sustainable Development Goals, There are some more basic level, Council’s Community Outcomes, Far informal computing classes available North 2100, the Far North Libraries at community centres and education April 2020 Outreach Survey and the providers, and council initiatives like Internet New Zealand’s May 2020 the Far North Libraries Robot Tuesdays Five point plan for digital inclusion: are helping the next generation get COVID-19 and beyond. excited about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). There are few opportunities for seniors wanting to upskill. In 2019 a Digital Hub opened in Kaitaia. The hub offers hot-desking, co-working spaces, video conferencing and meeting rooms with the intention of bringing businesses and the community together. Prices start at $5 for 1 hours casual hotdesking. A second hub is planned for Kaikohe. At March 2020, New Zealand’s unemployment rate was 6.5%. This is expected to rise as the impacts of COVID-19 on the labour market become clearer. In the Far North the number of people receiving Jobseeker Support payments from Work and Income increased from 2,982 people in March to 3,691 people in April, a 23% increase. The tourism sector has been hit particularly hard. Taking the above into account, this Strategy and Action Plan focusses on the immediate challenges, identified by our communities, that we need to tackle to eliminate the digital divide in the Far North. It also celebrates the unique strengths we have as a district and investigates how we might build on these and use digital connectivity for our own and collective benefit. Consideration has also given to the New Zealand Government’s Strategy
Goals | 12
Goals
CONNECT GROW
TuHONO WhaKAtipu
KORERO MAI,
KORERO ATU
SPEAK UP,
SPEAK OUT
MANAAKI Whakarato
CARE Deliver“Utilising smart-phone “We have very limited university
apps and sites that are courses in the Far North — and
mobile-supported is limited courses that youth can do
“Bring better great for our region, as while living at home. I am
educational mobile data solutions are assuming that this is due to
options to more affordable for resourcing — both financial and
Northland, many than ‘full’ people. It is a shame, for those
providing hands connectivity and as this that do go and get educated
on options as technology becomes outside of the area, we don’t have
well as online more affordable it is now the jobs for them to return to and
learning.” widely used.” so they continue to live outside the
area and don’t come back until it
“Use connectivity to help a bunch of is time to retire or they have set
kids to learn a whole bunch of up financial nest egg. We need
stuff from a whole bunch of more university courses
really smart people and certainly a wider
around the world.” variety of options to
study and then jobs
“We have no to be able to keep
our youth. Even if
CONNECT
mobile coverage
at all at our farm. my children could
We rely solely on continue to do
the landline and university classes
sometimes this like they have with
is affected by their high school
flooding or wet
weather. Our farm
is large so if
someone has an
TuHONO
accident a long
classes over zoom
etc. At least they
would be provided
with the opportunity
to upskill — in a career
way from home then of their choice.”
they can’t use a mobile
phone for help. Part of “Reception needs to be available to those
our farm forms out of reach places and then once more 4G
the Cycleway towers are installed (like the one that was
and it has installed for our rural areas) they need to
poor coverage.” be protected from vandals.”
“During the Covid19 lockdown technology has “We need better
become the only way for some of us to internet connection
communicate with those not in our bubble. However and speeds. I work from
this has meant having to get internet, to pay for this home via the internet.
I have had to readjust my already tight budget. During summer months
Internet is extremely important in terms of when tourists arrive in
communication, however for many it is unattainable numbers our home internet
due to cost and actual internet access.” just about disappears.”| 14
GOAL
The Far North will have world class mobile and broadband infrastructure
by 2023 and every school aged child will have internet access
in the home.
“We need internet speeds
Rationale that allow businesses to work
There are three key reasons why from home or work remotely
people are not online — poor on site. Extremely limiting
infrastructure, relevance and internet speeds and high
affordability/cost. mobile data costs.”
• The number one barrier to eliminating
the digital divide is lack of digital “The biggest restriction in
infrastructure. the north is the extremely
low internet speeds that
• In the Far North, infrastructure tends
to be weakest in our rural communities. limits developing and
sharing content.”
• Improvements need to be made in the
reach, affordability, quality and reliability
of broadband and mobile coverage
through increased investment in next gen
infrastructure.
A survey of schools during Level 4
This section relates to Internet New lockdown showed a significant gap
Zealand’s five point plan for digital between in home internet access
inclusion point 5 -Longer term for school students in rich and poor
Internet resilience by addressing New Zealand families. The survey
gaps in coverage and performance also found that 56 per cent of the
and the UN Sustainable Development low-decile principals felt the lack of
Goal 9: To Build resilient infrastructure, internet at home had an impact on
promote inclusive and sustainable teaching and learning. One school
industrialization and foster innovation. said “Most class work and homework
is cloud-based. Lack of access is a
barrier”. There are 72 schools in the
“A lot of my whanau that live Far North District. 62 (86%) are low
in rural areas do not have decile and 8 are mid decile. The
good reception or any Ministry of Education calculates
deciles using student addresses and
reception at all.”
five socio-economic indicators —
household income, occupation,
household crowding, education
qualification, income support.| 15
“Better connectivity to us to the world wide web. Of all the
everyone then kids have the many ways we can connect to the
opportunity to learn online internet, fibre offers the fastest &
most consistent performance.
and are not penalised unfairly
by being born in a remote
As shown in the recent Northland
community with only very
Broadband Speed Test survey, the
expensive rural broadband. gap in connectivity between those in
These days you can learn urban areas with fibre, and rural
at home.” areas without, is growing the digital
divide between Northland’s towns
“Engage with youth, connect and rural communities. In the last two
more directly with school years, the mean average download
speed of those responding to the
governance and management,
survey has increased from 20Mbps to
especially high schools. 46Mbps, although the median has
Challenge curriculum lifted only from 15 to 17Mbps. This is
irrelevance.” the result of fibre in urban areas
skewing the average.
“Social media is encouraging
creativity among our current Fibre is expensive to install, and that
generation of students. is why central government’s UFB
Through social media programme targets higher density
areas where there is usually fibre in
programs such as Tumblr,
the area already. Pushing fibre out
Pinterest, and Instagram,
further into less populated areas will
students are combining help address the digital divide, ensuring
technology with inspiration, people are not receiving a lesser service
create a wealth of resources because they live rurally while providing
and information available much needed backhaul for all our
globally. Students in higher networks – both fixed and mobile.
education are able to innovate,
engage in online discussions, “To many of our tamariki and
and share creativity through whanau are in the dark ages
social media platforms. without internet connection.
Through these platforms Fibre should be the basic level
students can share ideas with for all, not just those in cities.”
each other and collaborate.”
“We need fibre to the marae
and schools then high-speed
fibre is fuel broadband from these nodes
Fibre optic cable provides the backbone out to the local population
for all connectivity, connecting to the using fibre or copper lines in
underwater oceanic cables that link the ground.“| 16
“Get everyone connected by
5g
%
56
wired lines and then for those
When asked how we can use who are just too far away use
technology to make our district safer, 5G for fixed wireless access.”
the over whelming majority said more
mobile coverage should be the top
“I think we should be
Number of homes
priority.
minimising our exposure to
with mobile 5G. We are bioelectrical beings
reception 1 our bodies are not evolved
to deal with all the EMR in
the atmosphere currently let
1
Northland Broadband Speedtest Survey respondents
alone adding more to it.”
5g
Nothing But Net saw responses for
“Do not listen to the tin foil hat
both for and against 5G. brigade and their lies about
radiowaves being dangerous.
5G is the next generation of mobile There is no evidence that 5G
broadband. 5G provides very fast or any of the other wireless
download and upload speeds and technologies cause harm.
the latency, or the time it takes devices Instead, having mobile phones
to communicate with wireless networks and better coverage literally
is much less. It could offer fibre-like saves lives, especially in rural
speeds in areas where the rollout
and remote areas. No more
of fibre optic cable is cost prohibitive.
According to the Germany-based
blackspots of coverage on
international body in charge of setting our roads mean breakdowns
limits on exposure to radiation, 5G is and accidents can quickly be
safe. However some Far North residents responded to.”
are still concerned by the potential
health impacts. There is currently no “Most of us stay connected
5G in the Far North and none planned. online with Facebook, chatting
in Messenger, Whatsapp or
In an increasingly connected world,
Skype, etc. 4G and the existing
questioning the need for everywhere
fibre are both brilliant for this.
to have coverage is something to
consider. There are communities We don’t need 5G. We DO need
overseas where people have chosen more people to have access.
to live in areas without wireless signal. There are still areas of the
Such areas have no interference so Far North that have no mobile
are also used for the testing of highly coverage at all. And still some
sensitive technical equipment. As people who cannot afford
connectivity grows and these areas any internet.”
become harder to find, ‘blackspot’
areas potentially increase in value.| 17
Connect tuhono Action Plan
What Why Who When
Universal service The number one barrier to Work with Te Kahu o July 2021 –
& universal eliminating the digital divide Taonui (Taitokerau Iwi December 2023
access — increase is lack of digital infrastructure Chairs Forum) as per
internet access, Increase mobile coverage: agreement with the
affordability • Pou Herenga Tai Cycle Northland Mayoral Forum
and improve upload on the agreed common
• Trail
and download goal to ‘jointly advocate to
speeds. Push for • Te Araroa Walkway central government on
fibre first and • Public Conservation Areas shared regional priorities
address mobile • Rural Communities e.g. provision of digital
blackspots infrastructure’.
• Towai/Maromaku
• Crown Infrastructure
• State Highways Partners
Increase fibre and advocate • Ministry of Business
for key towns not currently and Innovation
listed in UFB rollout; • Northland Inc
• Kaeo • Northland Regional
• Okaihau Council
• Far North District
Council
• Far North Communities
Internet access for In the Far North District. 86% • Te Kahu o Taonui July 2020 –
all school children of our schools are low decile (Taitokerau Iwi Chairs December 2023
and no/poor internet access Forum)
in the home is more common • Northland Mayoral
in low decile areas. Forum
Crown Infrastructure
Partners
• Ministry of Business,
Innovation and
Enterprise
• Northland Inc
• Northland Regional
Council
• Far North District
Council
• Ministry of Education
• Far North Communities
Advertise ‘choice’ The Speed Test Survey • Far North District July 21
and demystify the showed some people are on Council
‘current state’ of inferior connections simply • Northland Inc
broadband because they are not aware
• Far North Communities
infrastructure by there is something better
promoting use of NZ available in their area. It also
Broadband Map and identified in-home issues e.g.
encouraging self- VDSL recording of 1mbps
checking of in-home download is not possible as
setup VDSL won’t sync at such low
rates, or the fibre download
speed at 20Mbps.| 18
What Why Who When
5G Work with central • Far North District
government to disperse Council
information about 5G • Far North Communities
• Ministry of Business,
Innovation and
Enterprise
Schools as digital Nothing But Net feedback • Ministry of Education July 2020 -
hubs and better showed that there needs to • Te Puki Kokiri ongoing
support our schools be better curriculum and
and teachers pastoral support for teachers
wanting to teach tech.
Make schools ‘digital hubs’.
This is likely to be most
relevant in rural and remote
areas.
Support schools to utilise the
Digital Learning Lab at
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Marae as digital Upskill locals to use • Northland Inc July 2020 -
hubs connectivity to full advantage • Provincial Growth Fund ongoing
and be the tech support
• Te Puni Kokiri
Protect the Limit future attacks on our • Mobile providers July 2020-
infrastructure we digital infrastructure e.g. • NZ Police ongoing
have mobile towers
• Northland Inc
• Northland Regional
Council
• Far North District
Council
• Far North Communities“Training and education
are now online in a way
“The main challenge to we’ve never seen before. “Local small
increasing jobs in the Far North COVID has given us the businesses
is the geography. We are need to upskill and also could develop
isolated from many quality the opportunity. Why an online
goods, services, technology and would anyone stick at a presence;
infrastructure. The answer to low paying job when they and create
that is making the Far North a can train and live in their business
self-sustainable economy. Start local community and services and
with education and good earn big city money by transactions
training. You can connect to working remotely.” online.”
any resource anywhere in the
world via the internet. “We need a datacentre up here. A local
Incentivise kids to learn and supplier of a Far North Cloud.
people, goods and services This is sold on as services
to stay in the Far North. to start-ups and small
This will grow the businesses. All of this
infrastructure and $ is going south at the
naturally jobs will moment. We need to
be created.” encourage startups
GROW
to grow and base
“We need themselves
awesome jobs here — and trust
using technology in the connectivity
for some would
be work you could
do from home, like
mums who have
Whakatipu back to the world
that will allow for
this to happen. Like
Hawkes Bay and BOP
just had babies but we position the district
aren’t quite ready to as a place to locate your
leave their baby to go successful tech enterprise.
back to work, digital This can be developers, testers,
devices can make contact centres, support staff as
that possible.” better option to the cities.”
“Technology allows some roles to be done in any location,
so we physically do not have to leave our district for
employment. Better connectivity would aid this.”
“Create an environment in our communities “Take the skills that people
that encourages, collaboration, discussion learn doing things they consider
and unity by drawing people together to fun and extend them to develop
common goals that benefit the wider further skills and the desire to
population. Create work opportunities use them in activities that return
that were not possible with a financial benefit to themselves
old tech systems.” and the community.”| 20
GOAL
The Far North will challenge the pre-covid economic model and use
technology to create a new state of being that embraces disruption,
collaboration and localism and has positive social impacts.
“We need to think about
a different economic model. Rationale
One that aligns with the Improved digital connectivity is
cultural and personal values crucial for economic development
of the people rather than and can transform the very
pursuing success as a nature of an economy. Increased
financial goal. The Covid connectivity allows for a transition
fallout on the regional and from an economy based on
national economy presents resources — which are often finite
and can’t be shared easily — to
an opportunity to encourage
one of knowledge — where ideas
employers to engage people can be freely exchanged. This is
who work remotely and have known as the ‘quaternary sector’.
good connectivity. Create Internet access is vital to extending
work hubs where people are access to educational resources and
working in the same space accelerating knowledge sharing,
for different employers while and can enhance healthcare access
sharing the benefit of sharing and empower disadvantaged
communities. Here we look at how
ideas and finding ways for
we could use connectivity to grow
businesses to collaborate.” our people and economy.
“Partner up with some big This section relates to UN
wigs either from NZ or globally. Sustainable Development
Be bold and innovative. Don’t Goals 4 & 8 — Ensure inclusive
wait for it to come to you, go and equitable quality education
out and find it.” and promote lifelong learning
opportunities for all, and; Promote
sustained, inclusive and sustainable
economic growth, full and
productive employment and decent
work for all.| 21
future work “Easy online access to
situations vacant so that
The Far North has a great lifestyle to we could get access to the
offer but our district’s geographical employer who is advertising
and digital isolation has contributed
the work instead of having
to a limited job market. With better
connectivity and innovative thinking,
to go through all these other
future jobs no longer need to be channels such as WINZ. Online
bound by location, putting the Far CV forms made easy for
North on par with other areas to people to fill in and complete
receive and grow local talent. without having to feel
degraded for not having one or
Our local products and services being unable to complete one.”
can be sold online in the global
marketplace. Having an online
presence will be key to our district’s innovation hubs
post-covid economic recovery as
current and future travel restrictions Our current economic strengths are
limit the numbers of overseas visitors. based on natural resource-related
Good connectivity allows customers industries. ICT and broadband
to find you with a click. infrastructure provides a platform
to add value to these industries
“I think there are lots of through improved performance
measurement, resource management
opportunity to create jobs up
innovation, and allowing businesses
here in the Far North, I have to maintain connections with
my own business, with clients customers and suppliers.
in North America and all over
NZ, it’s entirely run online.” There was strong support for the
establishment of digital hubs
“It would be great to have and business incubator-type
call centres located in areas opportunities. There is already
with people who need jobs in a digital hub in Kaitaia and one
planned for Kaikohe, offering co-
NZ, rather than outsourcing
location opportunities and event
overseas. With fibre spaces. The Ngawha Innovation &
connectivity it should be easy Enterprise Park (NIEP) is currently
to set up telecommunications being built just out of Kaikohe.
hubs to make this happen. NIEP will lead programmes in
People could even work research and development,
from home!!” workforce development, value-
add manufacturing, new business
development and co-location
opportunities.| 22 “We need to create an “Put in some hubs and funding innovation hub, with like Whangarei’s orchard. investment from national Collaboration, support and and local government. mentoring matter. Cheap Starting with a support effective disused commercial hub similar to Ice House, space with some x-factor, like for example, we then need what The Merchants did in to approach entrepreneurs Kerikeri, but for tech.” who want to enjoy the Far North lifestyle while running their business. We need to invest in a Far North based education facility focusing on future technologies. This will help keep our young people in our communities, as well.” “Hanging out with innovative people breeds innovative ideas and innovation. We need to create hubs, opportunities and forums where people can mix and meet others to share what they are up to and inspire others.” “Create Regional Digital Hubs (RDHs). RDHs are place-based facilities which may include key digital services such as free connectivity (via WiFi), co-working spaces for businesses and potentially council activities, event spaces, some support for technical connectivity and guidance on use of the internet for business purposes.”
| 23
Whakatipu Action Plan
What Why Who When
Use technology help Alongside growing our pool • Northland Regional December 2020
connect workers of remote workers there is Council – December
with local work also a need to use technology • Northland Inc 2023
opportunities to find more efficient and
• Far North District
affordable ways of
Council
transporting workers to
where the jobs are.
Start date is post General
Election as funding options
will be clearer at this point.
Support Ngawha To support value added • Far North Holdings July 2020 – July
Innovation & primary sector in the Far • Far North District 2022
Enterprise Park North and provide support Council
(NIEP) for technology-led innovation
• Northland Inc
and skill creation.
• Primary sector
• Iwi
• Far North Communities
Far North The Far North is home to • Far North District July 2020 –
Marketplace – an many makers and Council December 2020
online store and craftspeople. This project will • Far North Communities
real-life support as bring support and
part of post coordination to our already
COVID-19 economic established markets, create a
recovery recognised ‘market trail’,
while expanding the scope of
our markets to include online
(using an already established
platform like Etsy) so makers
can capitalise on a global
marketplace
Support Digital Hubs Develop opportunities for • Northland Inc July 2020 – June
in the Far North and skill sharing and networking • Digital Hubs 2021
improve digital and for Far North businesses
• Far North District
skills for businesses to upskill and create an
Council
online presence, allow for
online bookings and • Far North Communities
transactions etc • Business Associations
Note: The Governments May
2020 Budget included $10
million for incentives and
grants to encourage SMEs to
take up more technology
such as ecommerce“I’m not very good on those [iPad] but my “Make digital
Moko is doing her schoolwork on one and content for Northland
her Poppa always carries his everywhere to by Northlanders.
take as many photos and videos as he can.” What employment
opportunities are
“Stable IT infrastructure will support a rural available in the Far
interdisciplinary health hub development in mid North? What training
north and rural Northland. Students who would is available here in the
otherwise not access core science subjects Far North? Is there any
necessary for health science tertiary education, financial support for
through their local school supplied curriculum training here in the
could access a regional science academy through Far North? Who can
remote learning and peer support.” help — with CV’s, Drivers
Licences, who are Justice
“There are some really of the Peace? Make a
cool online learning website to support our
programs available people with answers
overseas such as to our most common
Coursera. This questions. Make
allows you to
watch lectures and
KORERO MAI, it available for
employers
complete tasks
that are part of a KORERO ATU to advertise.”
university “Connect and
program. There are
a huge variety of SPEAK UP, better utilize
worldwide
things that you can resources. Step away
learn about and if
something doesn’t
SPEAK OUT from the conventional
model of education and
interest you, you can just broaden the scope into real
stop watching. Many of these areas that affect real people.”
programs are completely free.
It would be great to get a “I already do “We could do online Te
similar platform set up in NZ. training courses Reo basics through video
Online courses could be using data on my calls i.e. families learning
provided by a range of NZ iPhone using 3G. together, four families
educational institutions for It’s fast and one tutor would be
free or a small cost.” unlimited!” something cool to see.
It could be used to teach
“Check out Te Ipukarea — The National Māori those of Non- Māori
Language Institute was established in 2008 partly decent to learn as well
to develop and advance a digital strategy for the so we can all grow as
creation, delivery, and assessment of Māori one and become closer
language curricula as well as the collection as a community.”
and dissemination of Māori knowledge
across a range of domains.“| 25
GOAL
The Far North will be known as tech-friendly district with
a skilled workforce.
“Let’s market our place as a
tech friendly start-up place Rationale
for people.” In this section we look at building
on and advertising our strengths.
“Technology doesn’t just mean We already have excellent
computers, software and apps. connectivity in some areas
It is about problem solving. and planned improvements in
Understanding what problems, others. We have a growing pool
of local talent, people who are
or opportunities face our
using connectivity to do amazing
communities provides the things right now. We have already
motivation and thirst for successful local businesses who
knowledge.” might need a helping hand to
develop their online presence and
“Technology can be used to take their product to the world.
expose people to what is out
there! This is what virtual This section looks at how can we
reality tech looks like, this is speak up and share all the great
what it does and then, digital stuff that is already happening,
support our people and businesses
workshops/footage of what
to embrace technology, innovate,
you can do with it. Show the upskill and entice those already
people what is out there and in the tech industry to consider
what is possible, then, let bringing their business — and
them go for it.” their jobs — to the Far North.
making the makers
For our local tech sector to evolve
we need to support workforce
development. Across New Zealand
outside of the main centres there are
limited learning opportunities in IT
related fields. While there are online
course available, these require good| 26
connectivity and the discipline to learn nationally and internationally
in isolation. Also, not all online courses for the appropriate teaching
(especially ones based overseas) resources. Likewise,
are eligible for NZ study grants and
we could “export” local
student loans.
knowledge across same
networks. This would
Nothing But Net feedback showed
a strong desire by our communities make living and working
to upskill in tech so that they can be in Northland an attractive
makers, not just consumers. People option and allow “work from
also identified the power of peer home” or “work from regions”
support and learning with others as possible. Less commuting.
well as having the opportunity to be Lifestyle balance living
tactile and physically interact with rurally but still contributing
things in the real world.
to ‘city-based’ enterprise.”
“New Zealand has a unique “To attend courses remotely
cultural mix and with the using digital platforms.
advent of digital technology This would enable us to
we are more able to share stay in our communities
that with a wider world but upskill vs having to travel
than ever before. We don’t or move to another part
need to allow the Americans of the country.”
or the Brits to colonise our
subconscious — we can build
our own identity and share taking local global
it with the world.” An online presence is essential for
any business. The first step for most
“Giving the community people researching a product or
opportunities to engage service is an online search. For
with technology in ways businesses without an online
that they can create music presence, shutting the doors during
or art or movies, rather than lockdown meant shutting out
customers. A website, e-commerce
passively being users and
platforms and social media channels
becoming content creators.” all help sell and showcase your product
and engage with customers or
“A technology facilitated potential customers. Nothing But Net
inter professional and mixed feedback showed local businesses
trade educational facility know there are tools available but they
would mean less dependence would like support to use these tools
on local teaching skills but to reach their online potential.
could reach out regionally,| 27
“There is a lack of talent we already have in the
understanding of what Far North District.”
you can do in a digital space.
There needs to be more training “With stable, reliable
or educational information connectivity in the Far North
available. For example, we there should be no difference
have started to use facebook to working elsewhere in the
to sell our business products country, or world for that
under covid-19 but we have matter. I really think the key
struggled to use the platform, to this initially is securing
and will be not using it to its and then advertising stable,
full ability. We need to be reliable, uninterrupted,
more in the digital space to connectivity.”
promote local industry.”
“We need an event where
“Educate people how to run people can showcase their
a business online or how to ideas and products.”
assist others setting this up.
Create a safe and creative “I design print format:
platform for Northland based logos, business cards, flyers,
business’s to place ads.” brochures, invitations,
catalogues, magazines,
shout about it newspapers, signage
(billboards, storefronts),
The Far North does not currently have vehicle wraps, flags, banners,
a reputation for being a tech savvy etc. All you need is a PC with
district. With ongoing improvements
the correct software and
in connectivity and a growing skilled
workforce, now is a good time to
a wild imagination!”
create a new narrative and market
the Far North as digitally enabled
district to encourage further growth
in this sector.
“Right now people often have
to leave small towns and go
to the city if they want to
advance their careers in all
kinds of industries. It would
be fantastic if we would
encourage employers all over
the country to realise what| 28
KoRERO MAI, KoRERO ATU - SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT Action Plan
What Why Who When
Use technology By partnering with • Connected Nation US March 2021–
help connect organisations already doing • Far North District Council July 2021
workers with online training to help people
• Northland Inc
remote learning get ‘job ready’ and placement in
and work jobs we can bring international • US State Department
opportunities expertise and future global • MSD
opportunities to our district.
NOTE: Funding has been
secured to deliver this project
Campaign to Market the Far North as • Far North Business July 2020 –
celebrate our digitally enabled district that Associations June 2021
digital success celebrates our successes and • Remote Workers
stories shows what’s possible. Plus
• Northland Inc
the enviable Far North
lifestyle including cheaper • Far North District Council
housing.
Support Tuia Travelling museum and • Ministry of Education October 2020
Matauranga education facility showcasing • Schools/Kura
Education Truck to high tech activities
• Far North District Council
visit Far North
towns and schools
App development • An app that can help • Far North Communities July 2020 –
celebrate our place, people December
and culture and share it 2023
with others. We are a
district of great storytellers
and great stories to tell.
• An app to share great
experiences like our Pou
Herenga Tai Twin Coast
Cycle Trail, the Te Araroa
Trail, our beaches and
forests.
• Run a community monthly
online art exhibition. Upload
your art onto the online art
gallery. Could be themed
each month. One month
could be visual art, another
month environmental
sculpture etc.
• Set up a live free Q & A
with someone from the
community – a business
owner, teachers,
kids — where people can
ask them questions online
live and they can answer
however they want.
• Virtual tourism e.g. 360
virtual tour of the treaty
grounds with optional
commentary.“Sharing cultural
videos can be seen
as a passionate
person for their “As we move from paper
“Lately I have culture. And they to digital the life of the digital
seen some of my want the world to record must be maintained
fb friends using know that this for the future. This needs
zoom to workout culture is alive and protecting in back-ups, from
together!” still going strong.” being hacked and then future
proofed in formats that will
“Love the apps for learning allow it to be accessed into
languages such as the future. This requires a
Duolingo, but also more level of prudence and
and more for Te Reo capability in our
Maori. Tikanga is a digital guardians
harder one to who oversee this.
learn digitally, Data becomes
however have more and more
seen some cool valuable — as an
ones for walking
tours around
museums etc, so
this could be done
Manaaki asset when it
holds the history
and informs the
future. This value
Care
virtually where must be realised.”
someone could walk
us through the “It helps with my
Waitangi Treaty partners tattoo sketches
Grounds and talk about the because you’re saving so
Taonga but also add in things like much trees by cutting down on
common terms, tapu, rahui etc paper and saving thousands of
and maybe some history your own ideas into files that
and examples.” can be backed up.”
“We can use digital “Community online Zoom dance
tools to share and classes, karate, Tai Chi, stretching,
teach other people yoga and exercises to get everyone a
about each other’s little more physical. Local information
cultures. By sharing about where to buy healthy food, from
each other cultures and restaurants and takeaways, to farm
teaching other people stalls and markets. Mental health is
about them we can really important. “Exercise the mind
protect peoples with some puzzles, reading novels.
cultures from There are support groups for trauma,
being lost.” depression, etc already”| 30
Tēnā koe. Āe e tika ana kia Greetings. Yes it is appropriate to
pupuri i ngā tikanga o a mātou adhere to our ancestral customs for
Matua Tupuna o tātou o Ngai Māori. Māori near and far. The world of
E huri ana te ao inaianei ki ngā rā today has turned from times past.
o nehe. Ko te ipurangi tētahi o ngā The internet being one of those prized
tino taonga ka whakamahi i ēnei treasures used today by little ones,
rā, kohungahunga mai, taiohi mai, young ones, older and elderly ones
mātua mai, kaumātua mai hoki. as well. We must learn about and be
Me ako, me whakaako e tātou me taught the complexities of the net, its
pehea te whakamahi tika i te software and all associated elements
ipurangi, ngā taupānga me erā atu of the digital world that will enhance
o te ao matihiko kia ora ai tātou, our wellbeing, our vocabulary
kia ora ai tō tātou reo, kia ora ai including our customary practices.
ō tātou tikanga anō hoki. Ā, mā te By use of the internet, whanau
ipurangi ka taea te tohatoha ki wellbeing will be continuous and
te whānau, ki te ao hoki o tātou enhanced and our worldly knowledge,
tikanga, kia mōhio pai ai te ao language and customs will not be lost.
katoa, kia kore ai o mātou tikanga We must make use of the internet for
e ngaro. Me whakamahi tātou i te our benefit that will capture our
ipurangi hei painga mā tātou, kia histories of today and of tomorrow.
hopu hītori mo te inaianei me Translation provided by Ted Wihongi, Senior
te apōpō. Maori Liaison Officer Far North District Council.
GOAL
GOAL: Our people will be digitally literate and have the
support they need to use connectivity to help take better
care of themselves, each other, our culture and our
environment.
“Have classes for us “oldies” “I would love the opportunity to
who can do basics on the use technology in our Kura to
computer but wish to do more.” create pest monitoring systems
and work alongside the local
“Use technology to raise council and government
awareness about nutrition, departments to see if students
growing kai and more could use technology to monitor
information about our ecological issues that affect
connection to food as our community”
individuals and as a society.”
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