Digital Leaders Forum finalist in Innovators Awards

Media release – 17 September 2014

Digital Leaders Forum finalist in Innovators Awards

The Whanganui Digital Leaders Forum (WDLF) is a finalist in the New Zealand Innovators Awards 2014 in two categories: ‘Excellence in Social Innovation’ and ‘Innovation in Financial & Professional Services’.

The awards are an initiative of the New Zealand Innovation Council and are strongly supported by foundation sponsors Bayer New Zealand, Idealog and Ideas Accelerator Ltd.

Bayer New Zealand Managing Director Holger Detje says the aim is to recognise great kiwi talent and the commercialisation of New Zealand products and services.

The WDLF is made up of volunteers from a variety of local sectors, including health, education, iwi, business, sport and the arts. The Forum entered the awards with its ‘100% Connected’ project, which has helped push the early adoption of ultrafast broadband in our district, as well as working towards a comprehensive network of free, public internet services for everyone.

Chair of the WDLF, Mayor Annette Main, is delighted the Forum has been recognised in not one, but two categories, amongst entries from established national companies, universities and financial corporations.

“Being a finalist in two Innovators Awards is another way we are being recognised outside our district for the work on digital connectivity in Whanganui.

“We have been chosen as a finalist for what we are achieving for our community socially, as well as how we are using the 100% Connected project to bring better business practices and economic development to our district.

“It is important to me that every member of our community can benefit from our commitment to being ‘100% Connected’ in a way that works for them.

“We share these nominations with finalists who have substantial financial support behind them, or who are well-established national organisations. We are fortunate to have the voluntary and dedicated commitment of people from our community on our Forum. This is a great achievement for us and we look forward to our work being recognised nationally.”

The winners of the New Zealand Innovators Awards 2014 will be announced at an awards ceremony in Auckland on Wednesday, October 15. For more information please visit www.innovators.org.nz

ENDS

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