2024 Council by-election

Image: Norie Ape

Why are you interested in the role you have been nominated for? 

Talofa lava everyone, I'm Norie Ape a proud Samoan and advocate for cognitive diversity in tech, I am dedicated to creating opportunities for all New Zealanders to thrive in the digital age and for the technology sector to leverage 'tech for good'. My goal is to bring a collaborative and inclusive approach to the InternetNZ Council, ensuring that our digital future is equitable and accessible for everyone.

My key priorities are also part of the reason as to why I'm interested in the role:

1. Digital Inclusion: Ensuring that all communities, especially underrepresented groups like Māori and Pasifika, have access to the internet and digital technologies.
2. Digital Equity: Addressing the digital divide by promoting equitable access to digital resources and opportunities.
3. Innovation and Technological Change: Leveraging technology to drive positive outcomes in education and other sectors, with a focus on gender equality and empowerment1.
4. Community Engagement: Fostering collaboration between government, civil society, and the private sector to create inclusive digital solutions

What skills and experience would you bring to the role? 

I bring a wealth of skills and experience to the role of Internet NZ Councilor. As a Digital Transformation Leader with extensive experience in both the public, not for profit and private sectors, I have successfully led cross-functional teams to design and implement innovative digital solutions. My current role as the Enterprise Applications Lead and my previous position as a Digital Product Manager have equipped me with a deep understanding of agile delivery frameworks, human-centered design and technology governance.

I am passionate about increasing diversity in the tech industry and have actively worked to boost the representation of Pasifika and Māori women in technology. My involvement with organizations such as the Advisory Board for Yoobee College of Creative Innovation, Pacifica Wellington Central Branch and UN Wellington demonstrates my commitment to community engagement and empowerment.

My experience in digital product management has given me pragmatic experience in connecting business strategy, design knowledge, and customer needs to ensure what is delivered is relevant, feasible, and valuable to internal and external customers and delivers on business outcomes. This focus on maximizing the return on investment is something I can bring to our current and future InternetNZ members.

Additionally, my participation in the 67th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67) in New York as the New Zealand Government NGO Delegate highlights my ability to provide high-level advice on innovation and technological change, particularly in the context of gender equality and empowerment.

Overall, my blend of technical expertise, leadership skills, and dedication to digital equity positions me well to contribute meaningfully to the InternetNZ Council.

Image: Toa Greening

Why are you interested in the role?

Kia ora, Goedendag, and Greetings!
My name is Toa Greening, and I am pleased to be considered a second time for a position on InternetNZ. I am originally from Hastings in Hawkes Bay but have spent my entire professional life in Auckland.

My partner and I have two primary school-aged children, and we also care for my elderly mother. I am very aware of the internet issues affecting both our Tamariki and our Seniors.

InternetNZ’s Domain Registry is fundamental to New Zealand’s digital infrastructure, yet its significance is often underestimated at the national level. It is currently absent from the national cybersecurity strategy. I believe InternetNZ Domain Registry should be a part of the any new national cybersecurity strategies and should lead these discussions to ensure robust protection of our digital backbone.

The Christchurch shooting underscored the profound impact of terrorism and online violence with children being able to access this harmful content. New Zealand’s Internet Filter does not include provisions to block online violence or terrorist content. Advocating for enhanced filtering of New Zealand’s Internet Filter is crucial for shielding our communities from such harmful online content.

InternetNZ plays a pivotal role in championing internet freedom and security. However, it requires bolstered technical capabilities to address emerging challenges such as AI, cybersecurity, data governance, content moderation for our youth, and protection against online scams targeting older citizens.

My priority will be to advocate for InternetNZ to be equipped with the expertise and resources necessary to navigate these complexities effectively.

What skills and experience would you bring to the role?

I am committed to professionalism and continuous growth, and have memberships in Engineering New Zealand and the Institute of Directors. I have a degree in Information Engineering and hold certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, IBM, Hewlett Packard, and Citrix. My consultancy work with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority has helped shape tertiary IT curricula, demonstrating dedication to ongoing learning and best practices, which I’m eager to bring to InternetNZ.

With over thirty years in IT, I have made significant contributions to New Zealand technology firms such as Hewlett Packard, IBM, Datacom, Fujitsu, Geni, Spark, and EDS. This extensive IT background uniquely positions me to make a substantial impact on InternetNZ’s initiatives.

I bring over twenty years of corporate and community governance experience. I have served as a longstanding board member for an Incorporated Society and managed a significant contract with Auckland Council for a community safety trust.

As a former Director/Trustee of various Maori Technology entities, I have secured substantial funds, assets, and commercial contracts for Maoridom.

My City Council governance roles include elected positions on the Manukau City Council as a Community Board member and Auckland Council as a Local Board member. These experiences have provided valuable insights into community engagement and advocacy of local issues.

In the corporate arena, I have effectively led project teams, demonstrating my ability to drive strategic initiatives forward.

Thank you and please consider voting for me to represent on the InternetNZ Council.

Image: Daniel Spector

Why are you interested in the role?

Tēnā koutou!

I’m interested in positive change, transparency, and the future of the internet– and how InternetNZ can be a greater player in the global internet community.

I’m keen to help the Council push hard towards an even more vibrant InternetNZ. One that is the centre of a healthy technical and policy community, with significant input to government, to ICANN, and global internet policy. InternetNZ could strongly benefit from more aggressive efforts at external engagement, more opportunities for public comment, and a renewed approach to active policy and community funding. These would support InternetNZ’s charter and the interests of NZ’s internet users.

We are at a true fulcrum point in the history of the internet. We are confronting the need to address the quickly evolving AI oligopoly, the increasing reliance on a few mega-platforms, and the dangerous exponential expansion of mis-and-disinformation.

With InternetNZ, I’d love to support the possibility of an open-and-uncapturable internet full of fun and human connection again– not one that is primarily for harvesting data, selling fast plastic fashions from overseas, enriching a few billionaires, and harming our democracies. Instead, one that fulfils the internet’s potential for connection and culture, especially for Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific.

Now is the time for InternetNZ to be working hard to drive these conversations. We can engage more effectively with our members, with more of the non-member internet users in Aotearoa and our Pacific neighbours, with the media, and with policy-makers. This work needs driven people and energy, and I’m eager to contribute.

Please support me in my desire to enable InternetNZ to continue as a more vibrant nexus of Aotearoa’s internet community and policies.

What skills and experience would you bring to the role?

My professional experience ranges across InternetNZ’s spectrum of interests. I have been active in digital rights campaigning, policy advocacy and spoken at many technology and cyber security conferences. I bring deep expertise as an executive and business development consultant in digital business. I have founded and served on the boards of several businesses and NGOs, and am currently the Board Chair of a registered charity.

I also bring experience leading an array of public campaigns, in areas such as women’s health, civil rights, and internet policy. I’ve made submissions to and spoken at many Parliamentary committees. I’ve lobbied MPs and Ministers on topics including prison policy, carbon policy, ending software patents, fairness in IT procurement, the possible effects of the Trans-Pacific Trade Agreement, internet access itself, and undersea internet cables. I have helped organise and run many events in the internet sphere, the literary world, and on broader human rights topics.

My professional experience in executive management and business development can directly benefit internetNZ. Domain name sales are slowing, as they just aren't necessary for an online presence via apps or Instagram or TikTok. InternetNZ must consider this trend as part of the long-term business roadmap. This is very much a time when having council members with a portfolio of hard business skills including technical product development, marketing, and practical experience in rolling out new service lines could be of strong benefit to the InternetNZ community, present and future.

Ngā mihi for your consideration. I’d not be doing this if InternetNZ’s activities didn’t matter so very much to the people and businesses of Aotearoa and the Pacific.


Kia ora rawa atu!