Wanganui makes global top 21

Wanganui has been selected from thousands of applicants as one of the top 21 cities which could be named the world's "2013 Intelligent Community of the Year" - once again proving Wanganui's national, and now international leadership in implementing the very latest digital technology and strategies to enhance the lives of its citizens.

Huge praise must go to Wanganui councillors for this latest major recognition of the district's leadership - the previous being its selection as one of the very first cities to have UFB fibre deployed under the Government's $1.3 billion ultrafast broadband initiative. The councillors' enlightened decisions have been responsible for our amazing, nationally respected initiatives, which contributed to inclusion in the Top 21.

Among these are Digicom's:

Computers in Homes

This programme provides families with the greatest need with a computer, an internet connection, relevant training and technical support. It has been delivered in Wanganui since 2006 and more than 570 families have participated to date.

Awa Computer Clubhouse

The clubhouse is at 7 Park Place, and membership exceeds 400 people aged 10 to 18 years. Membership is free, and the clubhouse runs from 3-7pm during school terms. In addition, workshops are organised during school holidays

Castlecliff Community Technology Centre

Digicom, in partnership with the Yes to Youth Trust (Y2Y) has developed the Community Technology Centre at the Ake Ake Centre in Rangiora St, Castlecliff. The Centre is open for groups and individuals between 10am and 3pm, Monday to Friday, when Y2Y staff and mentors can assist users who require help. A special youth only programme is run on weekdays from 3-5pm, specifically designed to enable young people to learn how to design and create their own projects using digital technology.

"The continued support of successive Wanganui district councillors is a significant reason why Wanganui is a leader in the digital world," explains Alan Cooper, a Digicom committee member.

Other New Zealand cities are envious of the contribution this support has provided, he said, and the resultant significant additional resources, including government funding, that has been brought to Wanganui.

Most Wanganui people will be unaware of the council's progressive digital policies - policies driven by its Wanganui Digital Strategy. Its vision states: "Wanganui is a leader in the digital world. We are a well connected, socially inclusive, prosperous and sustainable community."

WDC's councillors made an enlightened decision when they established the Wanganui Digital Leaders Forum so as to ensure all sectors in the community would benefit from Wanganui's early access to UFB fibre. The forum's vision is "100 per cent connectivity," and proof that a major step is soon to be taken to make this a reality can be seen from the Wanganui Chronicle's October 26 headline "Free digital for Wanganui coming in November."

Entrepreneurs and innovators will have been attracted, initially by our connectivity and innovative business sector, and sustained through a business friendly environment.

These businesses are contributing to a green, hi-tech, high-wage economy and have grown our population and created greater cultural diversity.

Our young people are fulfilling their potential through quality schools and training institutions.

We are perceived as a progressive place by the nation and locals are proud to call Wanganui home.

We have a thriving arts and cultural sector which nurtures a vibrant central city and riverfront.

The city embraces our river and our community is strong and resilient.

We often criticise our councillors, but they, and their effective WDC staff members like Marianne Archibald, Jason Simons and their teams who have so competently implemented the digital policies, deserve huge praise for raising the quality of life of its citizens through their support of digital technology initiatives, being responsible for the nationwide respect gained for Wanganui's digital achievements, and the positive media coverage achieved for Wanganui.

Article contributed by the Wanganui Employers Chamber of Commerce UFB Business Strategy Group. To contact the group, drop an email to john.patty@xtra.co.nz