The Digital Opportunities Partnership Protocol
A government – business partnership agreement
The Digital Opportunity Protocol partners share a vision for a country in which New Zealanders are seen as innovators to
the world.
To be innovators, New Zealanders need access to new information and communication technologies. These technologies offer
the key to a world of resources and ideas that feed innovation. They are also vital tools for analysis and information
exchange.
To achieve our vision, New Zealand must overcome a number of barriers such as access, ability and attitude. We need
access to bandwidth, hardware and software. We need the ability to know how to use, maintain and advance technology. We
also need the attitude to embrace technology and make it part of our way of life.
The partners to the Digital Opportunity Protocol believe the vision of an innovative New Zealand is possible, so long as
government and businesses work together. Goodwill and a commitment to partnership are the foundation we need to go
forward.
Our education system offers us a starting point for working in partnership. It is an environment in which we can help
prepare young New Zealanders to contribute to growing and sustaining a knowledge economy. Through education we believe
we can start to break down those barriers to innovation and improve learning outcomes.
With this in mind, government and businesses are working together to address some of the barriers to ICT use, focusing
on schools. Specifically, we are working in partnership to progress four ICT pilot projects in the compulsory education
sector. The Digital Opportunities pilot projects are:
i Learning Communities;
ii Technology Training;
iii ICT Boost for Study Support Centres; and
iv Laptops for Teachers and Senior Students
These Digital Opportunities pilot projects aim to use information and communication technologies to enhance educational
achievement, particularly in the areas of mathematics, science and technology.
While detailed service agreements will be developed by the Digital Opportunity Partners and participating schools, this
Protocol serves as a record of our commitment to work together. It is noted that this partnership agreement covers the
two-year term of these pilot projects and there is no obligation for the government or business partners to continue
their investment beyond that time.
Signed on 8 February 2001 in the Legislative Council Chamber, Parliament House, Wellington:
Rt Hon Helen Clark
Prime Minister
Geoff Lawrie
Microsoft
David Copeland
Learning Centre Trust
Elmar Toime
NZ Post
Rick Ellis
TVNZ
Deanne Weir
Telstra Saturn
Theresa Gattung
Telecom NZ
Russell Hewitt
Compaq
Peter Kaliaropoulos
Clear Communications
Nick Lambert
IBM
Mal Thompson
Renaissance
Rick Neville
Independent Newspapers Ltd
Tony O'Brien
Sky Television
Greg Cross
Advantage Group
Ian Taylor
Taylormade Ltd
Grahame Maher
Vodafone