Hon Tariana Turia
Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector

27 May 2010 Speech

Launch of Computer Clubhouse Connected and Digital Literacy and Connection Fund
Clover Park, Manukau City

[check against delivery]

Tena tatau e hui nei i tenei ra.

Tena koutou nga mana whenua o Manukau – Ngati Te Ata, Ngāti Paoa, Te Akitai, Te Ahiwaru, Ngai Tai Te Umupuia.

Nga mihi ki a koutou.

I want to pay tribute to the Prime Minister, Hon John Key; for his enthusiasm and energy for this project; and to acknowledge his Worship the Mayor, Len Brown; members of the Manukau City Council, distinguished guests, and of course this very special community.

My very special congratulations go to my dear friend, Haami Chapman – the kaitiaki for Computer Clubhouse; Max Purdy – the chairperson; and Mike Usmar, the Chief Executive Officer.

This is a great day for us all.

There was however, one word in particular that drew me here today – and that word is quite simply, connection.

I think it has to be one of the most beautiful words in the Dictionary.

When I think of connection – my first thought is of whakapapa – the ancestors that we are connected to through our bloodlines.

It is about everything we do to ensure our generations stay connected to the very essence of who we are. It is a connection that exists long after death, sustaining us through many lifetimes and multiple generations.

The sense of connection is also about restoring equilibrium – the finer act of balancing which might be best expressed in the trilogy of mind – body- spirit.

We can feel spiritually connected through the foundations of faith; or when we come across a person or scene that is familiar to us it is that emotional connection - a bit like coming home.

It might represent the development of a relationship between people and things - recognising for example that there is a vital connection between a time for learning and a time for play – the two are not mutually exclusive.

The strength of connection can be felt with just one person in the world who makes you feel complete – or it could be with a complete auditorium packed full of people making a universal connection through laughter.

In the marketing world, having a connection also brings with it a special status in which one’s networks open doors.

As you see – a lot can be packed into this one word.

What is so exciting about this launch today is that Clubhouse 274 brings a whole new meaning to a connected community.

This is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge the state of the art, integrated digital learning environment that has been created here in Otara, since you first opened your doors in 2005.

The connection that you demonstrate is on many levels.

It is obvious that today a time to celebrate the strength of the connection built up between the families and young people, the government and non government partners who have worked so hard to make the Computer Clubhouse Connected Community a reality; and all the industry players including representatives from New Zealand ICT and the Computers in Home programme.

As the Minister of the Community and Voluntary Sector my theme song revolves around encouraging co-operation and collaboration. What you are doing today, puts that commitment into action.

I have been very inspired by what you are doing here at Clubhouse 274. The last time I was here I left with a real buzz from the energy of all of the amazing young people that have made this clubhouse and the kaupapa theirs.

The physical connection generated by this Clubhouse is a fibre network which provides ultrafast broadband to a free community wide wireless network.

That all sounds pretty flash – but what it really means is that everyone in Clover Park – through the support of Rural Link and Housing New Zealand – are able to be supported through the advances of digital tools and technology – to literally access the world.

It is just so fantastic that the technology is able to create what we might call “digital literacy” – that is the ability to listen, speak, read, write, do numeracy and think critically as an essential life skill.

The New Zealand Computer Society has described digital literacy as being the right of every New Zealand citizen – and yet statistics from the World Internet Project have told us that an estimated 20-30 percent of New Zealanders do not have access to digital technology.

Today then, will help to make the difference – not just here in Manukau but throughout Aotearoa

I am just so thrilled that we can use this event to not only launch the Computer Clubhouse Connected Community Project – but also to announce the additional $8.345 million funding that Government has invested in increasing digital literacy and connection.

This is an inspired initiative, which is about creating conversations, building connections, bringing people together.

It is about providing opportunities to work smarter and more efficiently.

And it might just be great fun along the way.

The Digital Literacy and Connection Project makes an investment in two successful community based programmes, which the Department of Internal Affairs already has a strong relationship with.

The first is the Computer Clubhouse – which is about supporting young people to work with mentors, to explore ideas, and to run wild in a whole new world of knowledge just waiting for them at the click of the mouse.

This Clubhouse here in Clover Park is connected to others through the Network of Aotearoa Clubhouses. Today’s announcements will support and sustain these existing clubhouses as well as provide the investment for two additional clubhouses.

The second initiative we are supporting is Computers in Homes. I have really loved the times I have seen this operating in homes in Hawera, in Whanganui and throughout Aotearoa. The key to the success of this programme is the involvement of the whole whanau. Parents from low income families are supported with basic computer training at the school their children attend.

Once they have completed the training, the families receive a computer, ongoing ICT support and a free Internet connection for six months – there’s that magic word, connection again.

I would have to say that every time I am with the people in Computer Clubhouses or Computers in Homes I leave feeling incredibly energised.

Your sheer enthusiasm for this kaupapa is impressive.

The commitment you have demonstrated towards making sure that the connection is universally taken up, is really uplifting and I only have to look into the faces of the young people, the elders, the mums and dads, the tutors to know that what you are doing is literally transforming lives.

I am so very pleased that even within times of fiscal restraint, there has been sufficient excitement generated around the Cabinet table to invest in this digital literacy and connection fund.

And for that – I give credit to all of you here – and to all your friends and communities in cyber space – who remind us that the power of the people is worth every dollar we can spend.

ENDS

© Scoop Media