Marae joins new digital drive

Nigel Studdart (left), NorthTec science technology engineering and maths project manager and Les Wakefield, Pehiaweri Marae chairman, have welcomed the new programme. Photo / Michael Cunningham

A $180,000 grant will be used to advance Northlanders' computer knowledge thanks to a partnership between NorthTec and Pehiaweri Marae.

The digital divide created by age and social depravation and the lack of courses related to digital literacy sparked the need to create a Maori-focused programme based on improving people's knowledge about a computer, how it's made up and how it can be safely used.

The Glenbervie Marae's chairman Les Wakefield said it was about helping people to realise their potential.

"For us it's all about providing those opportunities. People may not realise that they want to do this - or that they're good at this, because they might not have that access at home," he said.

The programme, funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation's Vision Matauranga Capability Fund, goes further than teaching people how to start up a computer and use the applications. Three elements are involved to advance skills which can be used for employment.

"If we think about STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) they're all linked by that level of technology. Traditionally what we're taught in school is how to use a computer.

"When we think to the future, I think of what jobs will be available and technology will play a huge roll in that - we want to give people a bit of a better start," said Nigel Studdart NorthTec STEMs project manager.

Mr Studdart said the programme would teach people mechanical literacy; how the computer is made up and how things connect; cultural literacy; applying cultural identity, using Maori values, ethics and tikanga to teach people how to safely use a computer and how to create safe relationships; and coding literacy; how software is coded, so people learn how to move forward as a digital entrepreneur.

Both Mr Wakefield and Mr Studdart said the programme would give people who may not have had the opportunities to learn about digital literacy the chance to.

"You think of all those rural schools and smaller schools who can't run technology programmes, this would be absolutely great for them," Mr Studdart said.

The group is looking for a researcher who will go into local schools and community groups and use the marae's connections to analyse the community's digital skills. The information would be used to evaluate how programmes will be run.