History: National Broadband Project
TUANZ is working towards bringing New Zealand into the top ten in the OECD rankings in terms of broadband uptake. We currently sit at number 22 out of 30 countries. Below is a history of our work to date.
Stage 1: National Broadband Applications Conference
November 2002, Nelson
In November 2002, TUANZ ran the National Broadband Applications Conference in Nelson. Over 230 core leaders, visionaries and luminaries from 10 major economic sectors came together for two days in a facilitated environment to brainstorm broadband applications for New Zealand's economy, society and culture. The task for each sector group was to brainstorm for 48 hours how they might embrace the opportunities offered by broadband, high-speed Internet access.
In preparation for Nelson TUANZ made sure that all participants were well aware of New Zealand's dismal position in the OECD broadband uptake rankings. Delegates came charged with insight, talent and expertise to begin the work to improve economic development and more importantly lift our ranking to the top half of the OECD. Many ideas and insights were spawned.
Stage 2: Survival of the Fastest
Published 2003
Nearly 300 experts and enthusiasts from 10 industry sectors in New Zealand were brought together to come up with innovative and inspirational ways to turn high-speed Internet to our economical and social advantage.
The result is Survival of the Fastest, both a record of all pioneering 48-hour event in Nelson and a source of ideas for embracing and exploiting the powers of broadband - some conventional, some not; some workable, some off-the-wall.
Like museum artefacts that tell their own history, cows' udders that measure milk quality, smart turf that knows when it needs watering, and toothbrushes that monitor health. Read about these and more. The opportunities of broadband are limited by only your imagination. Our imagination is unlimited. The evidence is right here in this book. Survival of the Fastest is now available free of charge. Click here to download your copy or send an email to: info@tuanz.org.nz to request a copy by post.
Stage 3: Rocking Ahead
August-September 2003, Nationwide
"Rocking Ahead" disseminated the opportunities that the high-speed Internet roll-out to the majority of the nation and outlying communities will bring. Not only would schools benefit, but also businesses and communities across the country, through enhanced ability to access information, and understand their competitors and opportunities around the world. But this would happen only if large numbers of New Zealanders understood the potential and acted to promote and support uses and applications that would underpin the development of New Zealand as a whole and their own regions.
"Rocking Ahead" opened up an inter-generational dialogue about the role of high-speed Internet in New Zealand's economic and social future. Students devolved their insights upward, and vice versa.
More about the Rocking Ahead events.
Stage 4: Broadband Reloaded
November 2004, Hawkes Bay
Stage four of the National Broadband Project built on the previous 3 stages of this initiative and took the project to its next level of influence. A comprehensive broadband blueprint for New Zealand, built upon the relevant work of the World Summit on the Information Society and the 'content' elements of the Governments Draft Digital Strategy.
The conference comprised 9 sector groups, headed by business and government leaders, and involved creating a stock-take, gap analysis and action plan for sustainable development of future ICT applications and to advance New Zealand's position in the use of broadband for our economic social and cultural advantage.
The outcome of each of the sector group's discussions can be found by clicking here.
Stage 5: TUANZ Rural Broadband Symposium 2006, Timaru
CAPACITY MEETS NEED
The fifth step in a series of successful events raising broadband awareness. These projects have greatly increased awareness of the potential for broadband to enhance the living standards for all New Zealanders. The TUANZ Rural Broadband Symposium focused on a part of the economy that stood to benefit enormously from productivity gains: the rural sector.
The launch of iPSTAR — the world's largest commercial satellite — now means there is no farm, rural building or business anywhere in New Zealand that lies beyond the reach of a broadband link of some kind. In conjunction with the DSL services operated by Telecom, BCL's Extend wireless network, and regional services such as those provided by Woosh Wireless and TelstraClear, a fully online rural New Zealand is now within our grasp.
Download the 2006 Rural Broadband Symposium Programme to find out more about this event.