12/05/2005
Christchurch chosen to join national launch of Digital Strategy
Christchurch's role as a cutting-edge user of information and communications technology (ICT) in the community will be
on show on Monday as the government launches its national Digital Strategy, guiding New Zealand's use of ICT into the
future.
Christchurch City Libraries' South Learning Centre in Beckenham will be connected to Parliament in Wellington through a
live video link, enabling Christchurch's Deputy Mayor Carole Evans to join government ministers David Cunliffe, Rick
Barker, Jim Anderton and Marian Hobbs as they launch the major new Strategy during a live video conference.
Alongside Carole Evans in Christchurch will be two teachers from Waltham Primary School, and local technology company
ARANZ - Applied Research Associates New Zealand.
The Learning Centre was chosen to take part in the launch as a prime example of partnership between local and central
government, which has harnessed the power of ICT for the benefit of the local community. The Centre is equipped with the
latest technology to aid learning and connect the people of South Christchurch with the wider world.
Go to the Centre during the day and you'll see classes of children working on PCs to learn about new topics and issues.
In the evenings and at weekends, you'll see community groups making the most of the meeting rooms, using the latest
technology to record and distribute minutes on the spot. You'll also see the special family internet sessions, where the
whole family gets together for web-browsing using the Centre's state-of-the-art PC lab.
Christchurch City Libraries' Digital Access Manager, John Truesdale, says that being used as a showcase for the new
national Strategy is a great accolade for Christchurch. "South Learning Centre is an amazing facility, and possibly the
best of its kind in New Zealand. It's made a huge difference to the community by enabling local people from all walks of
life to make use of new technology, both for learning and for leisure. As the government launches its national Digital
Strategy, we're thrilled that Christchurch is on show at the forefront of ICT in New Zealand."
ENDS