Media release: for immediate use - 19 February 2013

Over 200 Community Sites Providing Online Access On Census Day

Over 200 sites have already registered to enable communities to complete their census forms online as part of the 2020 Communications Trust’s “Come to Your Census” campaign.

Nearly half of these are in community libraries. Others are in schools, community centres, citizens’ advice bureau or computer training providers. The common feature is that all sites have a suite of internet-connected computers and are willing to make these available at no charge for use by their communities on Census Day (Tuesday 5 March).

Details of all the sites registered as Stepping UP centres for Census 2013, including location maps, can be found at: www.cometoyourcensus.org.nz

Spokesperson for Come To Your Census, Laurence Zwimpfer, said the aim of the campaign is to enable people who have participated in the 2020 Trust’s Computers in Homes and Stepping UP programmes, as well as others in these communities, to use their digital skills to complete the census. People with an internet connection at home can complete their census forms online at any time after they receive their census forms and internet access code; some questions relate specifically to activities on Tuesday 5 March, so the forms should be filled in as if it is census day.

7000 collectors started to deliver these forms on Saturday 16 February. People who do not feel confident completing their forms online at home are invited to go to a nearby community access site on census day, Tuesday 5 March, where volunteers will help you connect to the census site: www.census.govt.nz

“We are encouraging any organisation with one or more internet-connected computers to open their doors to the people in their local community on census day,” said Mr Zwimpfer. “We feel this is a fantastic opportunity for every library, school and other community organisations to connect with their local communities and help to make sure that no one misses out on this incredibly important event.” People need to bring both the census paper forms and the Internet Access Code delivered to them by collectors to complete their census forms online at a community access site.

We are focusing our campaign in our Computers in Homes regions that cover about half of all households in New Zealand, i.e. Far North, Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Taranaki/ Central North Island, Wanganui, Manawatu/Horowhenua, Wairarapa, Porirua, Wellington/Hutt, Wairoa, Gisborne, Bay of Plenty, Nelson/ Marlborough, Christchurch, West Coast and Dunedin.

“We think this is an excellent way that people, who have benefitted from the government-supported Computers in Homes programme, can use their digital skills to demonstrate the benefits of having an online connection,” said Mr Zwimpfer. “Both our Computers in Homes and Stepping UP programmes aim to give people the confidence to do more online, and this includes completing forms. Even people who are digitally literate may hesitate to complete the forms online and our message is to ‘give it a go’! If you are feeling a bit unsure, come to a nearby community access site, where someone can help you get connected.”

Organisations willing to provide a Community Access Site for census online forms can register at the 2020 Trust’s Stepping UP website: www.steppingup.org.nz

About Computers in Homes and Stepping UP

Computers in Homes aims to connect parents with their children’s learning by building parent’s digital skills and online confidence. Parents or grandparents with school-aged children receive 20 hours of basic computer and internet training, usually at their child’s school, and upon completion take home a refurbished computer. The family also receives a subsidised internet connection for 12 months and ongoing technical support. The Computers in Homes programme is managed by the 2020 Communications Trust and supported by the government’s digital literacy and connection fund.

Stepping UP is an ICT (information and communications technology) training programme targeted at people in Computers in Homes communities, encouraging them to ‘step up’ and use their digital skills to access further learning and enhance their job opportunities. The programme is managed by the 2020 Communications Trust and was launched in 2009 with support from Microsoft’s Unlimited Potential global initiative.

About 2020 Communications Trust

The 2020 Communications Trust was established by Wellington City Council in 1996 to develop the digital skills of Wellington citizens. In 2001, the Trust expanded its scope to cover all digitally disadvantaged communities throughout New Zealand. Its core mission is to enable all New Zealanders to fully participate in a digital world.

More information

• Come To Your Census website: http://www.cometoyourcensus.org.nz
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• Stepping UP website: http://www.steppingup.org.nz
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• 2020 Communications Trust: http://www.2020.org.nz
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• Census 2013 http://www.census.govt.nz
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Community Access Sites registered for Census Day

ENDS

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