Society Remain Neutral About Spectrum and ICT Fund
The New Zealand Maori Internet Society Remain
Neutral About Spectrum and ICT Fund.
After
several months of consultation via its web site, social
media and hui, NZMIS have taken the position that it
supports the fact that spectrum is a treaty right and are
disappointed that the current government have ignored this
fact by not allocating any 4G spectrum to Maori as the
previous government previously did with 3G spectrum. NZMIS
will continue to support a Maori spectrum claim that
considers the masses and the long term benefits of the wider
Maori community.
NZMIS also support in principle,
the establishment of the proposed ICT fund that will benefit
Maori in ICT, but have concerns about how it will be managed
and where the money will be sourced from. However, NZMIS
will await the invitation from Hon Amy Adams to consult with
its members on the fund. Furthermore, NZMIS do not see the
relevance of the fund and how it equates to any sort of
Treaty response.
By remaining neutral, we are being
representative of our communities and even our komiti, who
have been divided on the issue of money or spectrum said
Karaitiana Taiuru the Chairperson of NZMIS.
If we
were to take one position we would be ignoring a reasonable
portion of our membership and our komiti, so by supporting
both options is a positive and representative way
forward.
ENDS