Forum Looks To Future With New Board, Chair

Distributed on behalf of the National Digital Forum.

*** National Digital Forum Looks To Future With New Board And Chair ***

This morning at the National Library of New Zealand John Garraway (Director Library and Learning Services, Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology) was elected as the new chairperson of the National Digital Forum (NDF).

The NDF was formed in 2001 when the National Library, Archives New Zealand and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, as New Zealand's three national collecting institutions, joined forces to build capability in New Zealand's museum, library, archives and art gallery sectors to respond to the opportunities arising from the rapid evolution of the online environment.

"The NDF is a nationwide alliance, with more than 90 groups registered as partner members. Collectively these organisations house many of the treasures that preserve New Zealand's national memories. By using digital tools and technologies they are poised at the forefront to open the doors for New Zealanders and the world to this rich content bank." said Mr Garraway.

In May 2006 a new governance model for the NDF was announced, designed to enable much greater involvement from New Zealand's library, museum, archives and art gallery sectors.

The CEOs of Te Papa, the National Library and Archives New Zealand and an iwi representative, (to be confirmed), have been joined by nine representatives elected by NDF partner members.

The members of the governance group are:

- Seddon Bennington, Chief Executive, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
- Penny Carnaby, Chief Executive, National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa
- Dianne Macaskill, Chief Executive, Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kawanatanga
- Iwi representative (to be confirmed)
- Andy Fenton, Managing Director, New Zealand Micrographic Services
- Brian Flaherty, Digital Services Manager, University of Auckland Library
- John Garraway, (chair) Director Library and Learning Services, Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology
- Steve Knight, Manager Innovation Centre, National Library
- Joanna Newman, City Archivist, Wellington City Council
- Bronwyn Officer, representing New Zealand Conservators of Cultural Material Pu Manaaki Kahurangi
- Bruce Ralston, (deputy chair) Library Manager, Auckland War Memorial Museum
- Alison Stevenson, Director, New Zealand Electronic Text Centre
- Haki Tahana, Maori Information Services Librarian Whangarei District Libraries.

Penny Carnaby, Chief Executive of the National Library, said after this morning's meeting that the NDF is an enormously important strategic initiative for the cultural sector.

"The new NDF board positions museums, libraries, archives, and other heritage organisations to speak with one voice about digital issues. The Forum will make an important contribution to discussions about digital content in relation to the newly-released draft New Zealand Digital Content Strategy," said Ms Carnaby.

Seddon Bennington, Chief Executive of Te Papa, said that Te Papa was very pleased to be standing alongside the National Library and Archives New Zealand in recognising that the NDF board is now representative of cultural institutions across the country.

"This is a very appropriate way for the sectors to be contributing to the development of the New Zealand Digital Content Strategy, and enabling New Zealand's cultural institutions to increase access to the treasures they hold for all New Zealanders," said Mr Bennington.

Dianne Macaskill, Chief Executive of Archives New Zealand, joined with Ms Carnaby and Mr Bennington, saying, "I welcome the election of the NDF Board and its new chair John Garraway. The NDF is an important body for co-ordinating and streamlining the efforts of many organisations to develop New Zealand's digital heritage. Archives New Zealand looks forward to the further development of the NDF in the coming years."

The 2006 NDF Conference, 'Participating with Communities: Digital opportunities, collaborations and celebrations', is being held at Te Papa on 30 November and 1 December 2006.

ENDS

© Scoop Media