By Kirk Mariner published on

Digital inclusion is the focus of two big events this month: the Digital Inclusion research agenda discussion at NetHui and the CONNECT Forum.

Kia ora koutou

Welcome to our latest blog post on the Digital Inclusion Blueprint, Te Mahere mō te Whakaurunga Matihiko (the Blueprint), the New Zealand Government’s strategy for digital inclusion.

As Principal Advisor for the Service Innovation team at the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA), I’ve been part of the Blueprint’s drafting, launched in May, and now its implementation as we build the foundations for digital inclusion in New Zealand.

October is a busy time, with two big Digital Inclusion events coming up: the Digital Inclusion research agenda discussion at NetHui, and the CONNECT Forum on 'moving from talk to action'.

NetHui discussion on the digital inclusion research agenda

We’ve published the government’s research agenda for digital inclusion in New Zealand online, and we’re encouraging other government agencies to read it and use it to determine their research priorities.

The research agenda is a discussion topic on Day Zero of the NetHui at Te Papa on 2 October.

Until now, there’s been no consensus on research priorities for digital inclusion among government agencies.

The research agenda aims to change that, by posing six questions for New Zealand researchers.

They are:

  1. Which groups have a lower likelihood of being digitally included, and why?
  2. How does digital inclusion relate to waiora/wellbeing?
  3. What are Māori aspirations for digital inclusion, what is successful in meeting those aspirations and what opportunities are there to do better?
  4. What works well to improve digital inclusion for different groups?
  5. What is the economic cost-benefit of digital inclusion?
  6. What will we need in the future to maintain a digitally inclusive New Zealand?

The research agenda outlines 10 possible research projects that would help answer these questions.

For example, it recommends projects looking at whether existing data shows associations between inclusion-related indicators such as the presence of a household internet connection and indicators of demographic factors such as life circumstances and wellbeing.

Kaupapa Māori research to canvas Māori opinions on digital inclusion aspirations, successes and opportunities is another project theme recommended by the research agenda, as is a cost-benefit analysis of the economic impact of digital inclusion in New Zealand.

Come to the forum: Moving from talk to action

On Tuesday 29 October, DIA is hosting a one-day forum at the National Library in Wellington to continue the national discussion on digital inclusion and give community, private sector and government a chance to connect.

Register for the Digital Inclusion CONNECT Forum on Eventbrite

The theme of the day is: Moving from talk to action.

How do we identify the conditions required to ensure everyone has the access, skills, motivation and trust they need to participate in, contribute to, and benefit from the digital world.

We’ve got a line up of great speakers. There’ll be a panel discussion and plenty of opportunity to connect. We look forward to seeing you there.

Join the Digital Inclusion Blueprint conversation any time

Keep up-to-date with what’s happening in digital inclusion by subscribing to our mailing list.

For more information on the Digital Inclusion Blueprint or to get in touch, check out:

You can also email the team at digitalinclusion@dia.govt.nz.

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