Have your say: a digital strategy for Aotearoa
What is the digital strategy?
The digital strategy is where the government will set its future direction and priorities for a digital New Zealand. The draft strategy is based on three pillars: mahi tika (trust), mahi tahi (inclusion), and mahi ake (growth).
You can read the full draft strategy here.
View our submission here: InternetNZ submission: Towards a digital strategy for Aotearoa.
Submissions closed on Wednesday 10 November.
Why does it matter?
This digital strategy is a chance for our government to lead on digital issues. These issues are going to matter more and more for people in Aotearoa over time.
Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic has made digital ways of connecting more vital and more central to the lives of all New Zealanders. While staying at home to help the team of 5 million, some of us have been able to work, learn, and buy essentials online. But other people have been left out because they don’t have a connection, a reliable device, or a quiet place to work at home.
The strategic direction the government sets on digital issues will offer an approach on some of these issues, and set the broader direction for when new questions come up, like decisions about collecting and using data about people, or deciding which technologies government agencies use, or where and how to regulate.
What InternetNZ submitted on
InternetNZ made a submission on the digital strategy. We want a strategy that sets a clear direction for digital technology as a positive force in Aotearoa’s future. We think this means defining clear values to navigate by, supporting ambitious action by government to include people and uphold digital equity, and setting out clear measures and accountability for government agencies to deliver.
View our submission here: InternetNZ submission: Towards a digital strategy for Aotearoa.
Our key perspectives on the digital strategy are:
Mahi tika means doing what’s right
- Focus on doing what’s right, and trust will follow.
- We think the right way to do this is to build ways to hear from diverse perspectives and communities in all government work on digital issues.
Mahi tahi means doing this together
- Don’t wait for the strategy to fund key interventions on digital equity. The need is there now, and progress is possible, starting with the five point plan.
- Work with communities. The vaxathon showed how successful community-led efforts can be, in ways government can’t achieve alone.
Mahi ake means digital growth that serves our people
- Digital growth will come. The question is, what kind of growth do we want?
- For digital growth to support sustainable wellbeing for people in Aotearoa, we’d like to see mahi tika and mahi tahi put at the fore of this strategy.
Internet governance is a key foundation for improving our digital world
We think effective understanding and engagement from the government on Internet governance is vital to a successful digital strategy for New Zealand.
The Internet is at the core of our digital world, crossing borders and all sectors of society. International forums on Internet governance, which bring together technical experts, community voices, businesses, and governments, are one of the best ways for the New Zealand government to engage on emerging issues.
We hope to see a greater commitment to Internet governance work in the strategy, and look forward to officials joining InternetNZ at Internet governance forums.
