Network for Learning welcomes Colin MacDonald as new Chair

Crown Company Network for Learning (N4L) welcomes the appointment of Colin MacDonald as its new Chair.

Prior to joining the N4L board, Mr MacDonald was Chief Executive at the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) and Government Chief Digital Officer (CDO). During his tenure, he strengthened the government’s IT capabilities, secured efficiencies across departments’ IT budgets, and led a transformation of the way digital public services are delivered.

Mr MacDonald was also previously Chief Executive of Land Information New Zealand and Deputy Commissioner Business Development and Systems at Inland Revenue Department. Prior to joining the public service in 2002, he was the Chief Operating Officer for the ANZ Banking Group in New Zealand and an Associate Director of IT Consulting at KPMG .

Mr MacDonald has significant public sector and technology expertise, where he is known for his collaborative approach to working with government and the private sector. While Government CDO, he set up the Digital Government Partnership, bringing together stakeholders from agencies across government to support the goal of a coherent, all-of-government digital system.

“I am delighted to be joining N4L,” says Mr MacDonald. “The company is doing very important work in education by addressing the connectivity needs of students and teachers, now and into the future. This requires an ongoing open dialogue with schools, government, education agencies and technology companies to ensure learning is enhanced by reliable, safe connections.”

Mr MacDonald was appointed to the N4L Board in February by the Minister of Education. He succeeds Acting N4L Board Chair Mark Yeoman, who returns to the role of Deputy Chair, and joins four other members of the N4L Board:

• Jeremy Banks - Board Member of Wakatū Incorporation, Ngāti Rārua Ātiawa Iwi Trust and Te Rūnanga o Te Ataarangi;

• Jack Mathews - Chair of Mediaworks and Director of Chorus;

• Karen Poutasi - Chief Executive of NZ Qualifications Authority; and

• Mark Yeoman - Chief Operating Officer of The Warehouse Group.

N4L supports government’s goals for education through its student-focussed Managed Network, connecting 99% of New Zealand schools including kura to safe, fast, reliable and internet services which are fully funded and supported for schools.

The company’s collaborative approach to service delivery was recognised at the New Zealand Broadband Awards where N4L was named 2018 Broadband Provider of the Year.

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