10th AGM of The New Zealand Maori Internet Society

The New Zealand Maori Internet Society

The New Zealand Maori Internet Society, after 16 years of existence, held its 10th Annual General Meeting this weekend in Wellington sponsored by one of its strategic partners “The 2020 Communications Trust”. Following the AGM a strategic planning meeting was held to discuss the future of the NZMIS. The time of the AGM was made to coincide with the national Net Hui being held this week in Wellington.

Karaitiana Taiuru the outgoing Chair spoke of the major achievements the society has completed over the past 12 month. This includes the fact that the society re-established itself with a new and vibrant council, formed many strategic partnerships and alliances with organisations such as 2020, ICANN, NetSafe and Dot Kiwi Ltd, while also successfully combating an increasing abundance of cyber racism and discrimination in social media and its planning to implement broadband and internet access into communities that are currently missing out. Taiuru also commented on the international influence the society now welds in terms of international Indigenous Issues and representation.

In order for such a dynamic and increasingly growing organisation to grow with the ever changing demands of the online world, Taiuru said it was time for him to step down as Chair after having been at the helm from the societies inception and now at its re birth.

The society is now pleased to announce the appointment of Leona Karauria, ICT Project Manager and Wireless Internet Service Provider from Wairoa to now lead the society in these challenging times. To assist Karauria, Ivor Jones a Digital media expert, as secretary. Taiuru will remain on the komiti in a succession and spokesperson role for the next 12 months.

Karauria says she is looking forward to the challenge of Chairperson of the New Zealand Maori Internet Society and to be working alongside members of the Komiti who are all experts in their respective fields of Information, Communications and Technology. "I'd like to acknowledge all the great work that Karaitiana Taiuru has done over the past 16 years. The NZMIS represents online Maori Communities across a wide area of Internet, access and safety issues. My appointment is to ensure that we continue to be a strong voice for Maori online and to look at new opportunities and directions of where the NZMIS can be further engaged within Communities".

www.nzmis.maori.nz

ENDS

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