Hon Steven Joyce to speak at NetHui 2012

Hon Steven Joyce to speak at NetHui 2012

InternetNZ (Internet New Zealand Inc) is pleased to announce that Economic Development Minister Hon Steven Joyce will deliver a Ministerial address at NetHui 2012 on the morning of Thursday 12 July. InternetNZ also advises that it will launch two reports at NetHui 2012 examining the economic impact of the Internet on the economy and its future growth prospects.

The NetHui 2012 conference will be held over three days from 11-13 July at the SkyCity Convention Centre in Auckland. An anticipated 500 people will meet for collaborative, community-led discussions on the impact of the Internet and how it is influencing and shaping our economy and our society.

A draft programme has been released (www.nethui.org.nz/programme) that adds Health technology issues to a focus that includes Business, Legal, Education, Government, Internet Safety, Access and more.

Two further speakers have also been confirmed. Leading New Zealand judge, and expert in the law as it relates to online activity, David Harvey will deliver a keynote address on the morning of Friday 13 July. On Wednesday 11 July, Auckland University of Technology Professor Allan Bell and researcher Philippa Smith will provide latest insights into New Zealand's position internationally through the World Internet Project survey.

These speakers are in addition to the previously announced opening keynotes. On the morning of Wednesday 11 July, former US Federal Trade Commissioner Pamela Jones Harbour will speak on the increasingly difficult topic of privacy online and will be introduced by the Privacy Commissioner Marie Shroff. The conference will be opened by Auckland Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse.

Keynote speakers complement and lead into the core activity of NetHui 2012, which brings together everyone with a stake in the Internet into the Ngā Kōrerorero discussion sessions. These sessions will cover Privacy, Copyright, Ultrafast Broadband, Rural Internet, Business in the Cloud, Convergence, New Media, Internet Start-ups, Telemedicine, Health Records, Human Rights, Internet Governance, Internet Safety, Open Government Data, Multilingual Content, Educational Resources, Web Standards, Online Scams, Access, Accessibility, Digital Literacy, Cybersecurity, Pacific Communities and more.

Every day also has Te Kotahitanga, where participants come together as one for panel discussions. Panels include Digital Inclusion, Open Government, Economic Opportunities, and Creative Opportunities. Members of Parliament from a variety of political parties will participate in panel discussions at the conference.

InternetNZ Chief Executive Vikram Kumar says NetHui provides an opportunity for MPs to engage in discussion about the major issues facing New Zealand with respect to economic and social benefits of the Internet. "This is a superb opportunity to hear the perspective of politicians and for politicians to hear from the NetHui participants. This reflects the theme of the conference "Shaping our Future Together".

NetHui registrations are heavily subsidised by InternetNZ and sponsors. At a low $40 including GST, registrations can be made at www.nethui.org.nz . People interested in participating are encouraged to register as early as possible to avoid missing out.

There will be many other events around NetHui 2012, including the Internet Technical Architecture Conference (InTAC), a Trans-Pacific Partnership meet up, a Creative Commons Aotearoa meet up, a meeting of ICT NGOs, a NetSafe Cyber Security Initiative meet up, and the Orcon Great Blend: NetHui Edition creative party. In addition, InternetNZ will use this opportunity to hold its Annual General Meeting in Auckland for the first time. See: http://nethui.org.nz/events

The afternoon of the final day will also feature a "Barcamp", where discussion session topics are determined at the event itself. Global IT giant Microsoft has thrown its weight behind NetHui 2012, as Platinum sponsor. Google is again a Gold sponsor along with online marketplace Trade Me. National fibre provider FX Networks is a Silver sponsor and with Citylink will be supplying comprehensive wireless connectivity for participants. Online publisher Scoop is also a Silver sponsor.

TelstraClear is sponsoring the Safety and Security discussion stream. Catalyst IT is sponsoring the Education stream. Bronze sponsors are Citylink, Farmside, Agile Integration, the Ministry of Economic Development, Orcon, Web Drive and Open Systems Specialists.

There is also significant support for NetHui from community organisations including NZCID, NZICT, Crown Fibre Holdings, REANNZ, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, NetSafe, the New Zealand Computer Society, 2020 Communications Trust, Creative Commons, CORE Education, ALGIM, Consumer NZ the New Zealand Institute, and TUANZ.

NetHui 2012 is again assisted by a strong Advisory Board consisting of Government CIO and Department of Internal Affairs Chief Executive Colin McDonald, District Court Judge David Harvey, Privacy Commissioner Marie Shroff, Maori Internet Society Chair Richard Orzecki, Consumer NZ CEO Sue Chetwin, Trade Me Operations Head Mike O’Donnell, and Digital Media Consultant Karaitiana Taiuru.

“InternetNZ is proud to have created this important and valuable platform for the wider community to address Internet issues through discussion and collaboration,” says Vikram Kumar. “Expect genuine cross-sector discussion of the Internet and the myriad of social and economic issues that this disruptive technology is exposing. New Zealand stands to benefit significantly from this annual meeting of minds.”

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