In May 2024, government, industry, and community representatives gathered at the Tech Users Association (TUANZ) Rural Connectivity Symposium in Rotorua to discuss future-proofing connectivity in our rural communities.

With over 200 attendees, The Rural Connectivity Symposium 2024 was our biggest year yet, a testament to the great work we’re all doing to champion our rural communities in Aotearoa. It was fantastic to hear from our wonderful speakers and for so many of us to come together, share ideas, and find creative solutions.”  says TUANZ CEO Craig Young.

Today, TUANZ released its annual Rural Connectivity Symposium Communique, highlighting the important contributions from speakers, panellists and attendees. 

In his ministerial keynote, Hon. Paul Goldsmith, Minister for Broadcasting and Communications, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to addressing the disparity in connectivity between rural and urban areas in Aotearoa New Zealand. While acknowledging fiscal constraints, he emphasised the need for steady progress in improving access to connectivity.

However, for many in the rural community, the level of service is still somewhat based on a “postcode lottery”. Consumer NZ CEO Jon Duffy agreed, stating “There shouldn’t be a second-class position… Customers should be able to access great service regardless of location.” He noted that healthy markets, where competition offers fair pricing no matter the location, would benefit rural customers.

This sentiment was echoed by other speakers, who emphasised the need for investment to assist those in areas where connectivity is available but not affordable. Research shared by the Digital Equity Coalition Aotearoa (DECA) suggests that a significant portion of New Zealanders struggle to afford basic internet connectivity. This lack of affordable options creates a digital divide, excluding low-income households from the social and economic benefits of the internet.  Exciting initiatives, like the work REANNZ is doing to reduce digital inequality among students by creating a network of digitally connected spaces with frictionless access provided by eduroam, are steps in the right direction. 

“We cannot stand still or think that small steps are acceptable to those who cannot connect due to a lack of service, competition or affordability.  We know there is no silver bullet, but we need an ambitious vision to ensure everyone who needs and wants to be connected can be,” said Craig Young.  “Many of the speakers who live and work in rural areas emphasised how public policy must recognise the ‘right to be rural’ and the fundamental right to be connected.”

You can view the Communique here. 

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For further comment or interview, please contact Craig Young

• Phone: 021 488 188 
• Email: craig.young@tuanz.org.nz  

About TUANZ

The Tech Users Association of New Zealand (TUANZ) is helping Kiwis make the most of our digitally connected world. TUANZ is an independent voice, representing both the connected user, and businesses in Aotearoa for over 35 years. Our voice speaks for you, with the Government, media and technology suppliers. Our vision is for New Zealand to be a top 10 digital ready nation by 2030.

We work hard to ensure that every New Zealander can be connected to the digital world and we care about our future here in Aotearoa. We continue to advocate for improved access for all users in New Zealand to the services they both need and want. Together with our members, we’re dedicating resources to nurture our future leaders, empowering them to excel in their careers and contribute positively to your business.
www.tuanz.org.nz

June 18, 2024

Press Release – TUANZ

New Zealand’s digital leaders are facing a technological tipping point, with generative artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity emerging as key priorities for 2024, according to a new report by TUANZ.

However, in 2023, New Zealand’s ranking in the Portulans Network Readiness Index (NRI) fell by four positions, from 19th to 23rd.

This reflects some of the concerns raised by CIOs and technology leaders, including AI talent concentration, digital skills, and high-tech and medium-high-tech manufacturing.

The fourth annual ‘TUANZ Aotearoa’s Digital Priorities in 2024’ report, supported by One New Zealand, highlights some key digital trends and concerns.

Craig Young, TUANZ chief executive officer, says the rise of AI alongside strengthening cybersecurity and digital equity were some of the key themes outlined by tech leaders.

“Over the last few years, we’ve seen digital leaders trying balance technological evolution with supporting business as usual. It’s evident our world – and the technology we rely on – is developing at an ever-increasing pace,” says Young.

“In order to stay ahead of the curve, Aotearoa New Zealand’s business and technology leaders need to be flexible, adaptable and resilient to unexpected challenges and disruptions.

“To do this, we require innovative thinking, in partnership with government, to create an environment that supports the progressive regulation of emerging tech and data privacy, particularly as AI is fast-approaching and is likely to impact jobs across the motu.

“The recent Budget was particularly lacking in any new technology focus areas, which feels like a missed opportunity as New Zealand looks to improve lagging productivity through high-tech solutions.”

The TUANZ Digital Priorities Report was compiled following interviews with 36 technology leaders from around Aotearoa.

Tony Baird, Chief Technology Officer at One New Zealand, said Kiwi businesses were quick to adapt to using new technology during the COVID-19 pandemic, and wants to see this continue.

“The adoption of cloud technology has helped pave the way to emerging opportunities for AI as a tool to help augment and support human workers, freeing them up to focus on higher value tasks,” says Baird.

“When it comes to these tools, it’s essential we learn how to utilise them to our advantage to streamline business processes while navigating the challenges around data privacy and ethics policies to protect consumers.

“The tech leaders highlighted both the risks and opportunities facing Kiwi businesses, to ensure we emerge from the current economic challenges stronger on the global stage.”

Other key priorities highlighted in the report include building resilience in a changing world, embracing cloud and off-site technology, addressing constrained resources, and promoting digital equity to ensure no one is left behind in the digital transformation.

The “Aotearoa’s Digital Priorities in 2024” report is available for download on the TUANZ website at www.tuanz.org.nz .

One of the opportunities that members of TUANZ have is to put their name forward for election to the Board.  Being part of the Board gives you the opportunity to influence the future work of the organisation and how TUANZ impacts the direction of the digital technology landscape in Aotearoa New Zealand.

We are now seeking nominations for the Board and encourage you to carefully consider nominating yourself or someone else to this role who can make a difference and help us to make sure New Zealand makes the most of the digitally connected world. More information about the Board member roles and responsibilities can be found here.

There are six seats available this year on the TUANZ Board in this rotation. If elected, Board members serve for a term of two years.

Board Nominations

The following Board members were elected in September 2022 and have another year to serve:

• Andy Edwards
• Caitlin Metz
• Kaity Mitchell
• Vaughan Baker

The following Board members’ terms expire at the upcoming AGM:

• Jenna Woolley
• Matthew Harrison
• Maxine Elliott
• Tristan IIich (Current Chair)
• Wendy McGowan
• Zoe Udy

While any member may be nominated, based on the current representatives on the Board we especially encourage members with the following skills or experience to consider nomination :

• Risk & Financial Management
• Experience in security or data protection
• Experience in leading large corporate IT teams
• Members who work within non-technology and telecommunications companies

Nominations must be received by 5pm Tuesday 22 August 2023. Nominations should be made using this form.

You or your organisation must be a fully paid-up member of TUANZ to join the Board, so if you are in doubt about your standing with the organisation, please contact us at accounts@tuanz.org.nz to check and/or arrange payment.

Online Voting

Voting will take place online in advance of the AGM and the results will be announced at the meeting.

Notices and Remits

If you have any remits, motions or other items that you would like raised at the AGM, please send these through to agm@tuanz.org.nz by 5pm Tuesday 12 September 2022.

 

Timeline

• Now: Call for Nominations for Board representatives issued to Members
• 22 August: Deadline for nominations to be received
• 29 August: List of nominees to be issued to voting members and electronic voting commences
• 12 September: Any proposed notices, motions or remits to be advised to TUANZ
• 26 September: Annual Meeting, results of online voting announced.

 

Annual General Meeting

The TUANZ Annual General Meeting will be held online on Tuesday 26th September 2023. Details and registration information will be sent out soon.

All TUANZ members are encouraged to attend the AGM.