Rotorua chiefs to embrace digital economy

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick

Rotorua business kick-started a journey of digital discovery this week with a council-facilitated session aimed at getting feedback on where the city's digital economy should be going.

"It's definitely the way to do business now," said Mayor Steve Chadwick.

"Here we are as a council talking about economic growth. We've got to have an underpinning digital strategy."

One of the long-term aims would be to ensure the local economic infrastructure was mapped online to make it accessible for outside investors to know what propositions were available.

Deputy mayor Dave Donaldson is leading the economic growth portfolio, and was a strong supporter of developing the digital economy, she said.

The session on Wednesday afternoon was hosted at the offices of local digital business Now Communications. The first half used Google's Journey of Digital Discovery tool, to provide information for businesses on the types of digital assistance available.

The second half of the session was focused on getting feedback from local businesspeople on where Rotorua's digital economy should be headed, said Andrew Wilson, Rotorua Lakes Council's lead advisor for economic growth.

Mr Wilson said the session had been partly prompted by the government's recent announcement of additional funding for ultra fast broadband, rural broadband and to address black spots in the broadband network nationally.

"Government is looking for a response from local authorities in terms of how we are planning with our local community to use the additional broadband infrastructure," he said.

"We are working with some keen people in the business community who see there is an opportunity to develop Rotorua's digital economy. The council is very much playing a facilitation role in this."