A new arrival in Whangarei today, supported by Kiwibank, has signalled opportunities for people living in Northland to
embrace the digital world and go online with their banking.
Kiwibank, NZ Post, IRD and ACC were the first to stop accepting cheques from last Friday (28 February). Digital banking
provides an alternative, but people do need access to computer devices and a reliable internet connection as well as the
skills and confidence to use these technologies.
DORA is a 35-year old Wi-Fi enabled bus that will be travelling around the Far North, Whangarei and Kaipara districts
during the next five weeks offering digital banking training to people who are concerned about banks and other
government agencies closing branches and stopping accepting cheques.
The training offered on DORA (which stands for Digital On-Road Access) directly addresses the concerns that some people
have about managing their banking online; a special focus is on detecting and avoiding scams. While the training
initiative is being supported by Kiwibank it is open to anyone in the Northland community, no matter who they bank with.
Local libraries in all three districts are providing trainers for the digital banking classes, which are scheduled to
run between 10am - 12 noon and 1pm – 3pm every week day for the next five weeks, starting in Kaitaia on Monday 9 March.
DORA will also be visiting Kerikeri, Paihia, Whangarei, Kaikohe and Dargaville and parking up outside the libraries. The
detailed schedule has been published on the Stepping UP website www.steppingup.nz. People who are interested can contact their local library to sign up for a class or they can register themselves on
the website.
The Northland leg of DORA’s national tour has special local significance because two of the driving forces for the
programme are Northland residents. Sue Kini from Whangarei is the National Manager for DIAA’s Stepping UP programme. “It
is exciting having a programme that I have helped design and implement come to my home town,” said Sue. Sue was
responsible for developing the digital banking curriculum and provides ‘train the trainer’ support for librarians and
others delivering the programme.
Di Daniels, who has recently moved to Kerikeri, is the Director of Digital Wings, a unique national initiative to divert
electronic waste from landfills and provide community groups throughout New Zealand with free quality refurbished
computers. DORA is a beneficiary of the Digital Wings programme; all the on-board computers used for digital banking
training were supplied through this initiative. Equipment has also been gifted to community organisations in Kaitaia,
Dargaville and Maungaturoto. “My goal is to encourage Northland businesses to join up with Digital Wings and donate
their surplus equipment,” said Di. “I am also making a special effort to ensure that more Northland community groups
know how to apply for free equipment.”
DORA’s Northland itinerary
Mon 9 – Fri 13 March
Te Ahu Centre, Kaitaia
Mon 16 – Wed 18 March
Procter Library, Kerikeri
Thur 19, Fri 20 March
Williams House Public Library, Paihia
Mon 23-Wed 25 March
Whangarei Central Library, Whangarei
Thur 26 March
Kamo Library (am) and Tikipunga Library (pm), Whangarei
Fri 27 March
Onerahi Library (am) and Whangarei Central Library (pm)
Mon 30 March to Fri 3 April
Kaikohe Library, Kaikohe
Mon 6-Thur 9 Apr
Dargaville Public Library, DargavilleAbout Digital Inclusion Alliance Aotearoa
The Digital Inclusion Alliance Aotearoa was established in 2018 to foster socially inclusive communities where everyone
has equitable opportunities to meaningfully engage with digital technologies, and benefit from the use of them.
It aims to enhance the confidence and capability of people living in New Zealand to engage online to advance their own
education, employment, health and wellbeing as well as that of their whānau.
The Alliance acts as a catalyst for digital inclusion initiatives, by working with local communities, not-for-profit
organisations, business enterprises and government agencies to pursue a shared digital inclusion vision.
Any organisation or individual working to achieve a more digitally included community is welcome to become a partner of
the Alliance. www.diaa.nzAbout Digital Wings
The Digital Wings Trust works with socially and environmentally responsible business and public sector organisations to
donate quality IT equipment to charities and community organisations. Preference is given to those working in youth
education to employment, but donors can nominate charities of their choice. www.digitalwings.nzAbout DORA
DORA (Digital On-Road Access) is a 35-year-old bus, converted to a digital classroom in 2012. Suitable for around 10
adults, DORA can travel anywhere in New Zealand. All the equipment is powered by a fully self-contained solar electrical
system and the on-board computers have multiple different ways of connecting to the internet, including satellite. DORA
is supported by Kiwibank, Lottery Grants Board, Transpower, Spark Foundation, Digital Wings and other business partners.