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Nelson Digital Futures Society set up

MEDIA RELEASE

21 November 2014

Nelson Digital Futures Society set up to reap benefits of Gigatown legacy

New organisation believes Nelson should be a hub for the digital evolution in New Zealand being spurred forward by high speed internet

Whether or not Nelson becomes the first Gigatown in New Zealand, the dedicated group of community organisers leading the effort to win are turning their attention to the future by establishing the Nelson Digital Futures Society (NDFS).

NDFS believes Nelson should be a hub for the digital evolution in New Zealand that is being spurred forward by high speed internet. It will use Nelson’s central geographic position, Nelson’s increasing access to high speed internet, and the Gigatown experience to help residents and businesses be ready and able to interact, do business, learn, and engage with one another using digital services. All along the way, NDFS will collaborate with cities across the country.

If Nelson wins the Gigatown competition next Wednesday, NDFS will be in a position to help implement the ideas presented in the Gigaplan for Success (see www.gigatown.co.nz). Even if Nelson doesn’t win, co-leader of the Gigatown Nelson campaign and one of the NDFS founders, Matthew Dodd, says NDFS wants to use the Gigaplan as a guiding document and help create a legacy for the region.

“The drive to enable a digital future doesn’t hinge on us winning a competition, it’s here already,” Matthew says. “The Gigatown Nelson team has a lot of knowledge from working on this for more than a year and they’re committed to seeing Nelson prosper. NDFS is now in a great position to capitalise on the relationships and the ideas that have come from the campaign.”

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NDFS will initially reflect on the Gigatown competition and its lessons. A debrief on the process and outcomes will start once the competition closes. If Nelson should become the first Gigatown, NDFS is in a position to help manage the $500,000 community development fund that is part of the winning town’s prize.

Matthew says Nelson is unique amongst the Gigatown finalists because its leaders have volunteered the whole way through the competition. Success has come from community members brought together by a shared belief in the potential of a digital Nelson and volunteering thousands of hours of time.

“We’ve seen a disruption of leadership norms in Nelson throughout this competition,” says Matthew. “Many thought we wouldn’t succeed without paid staff and large organisations leading the way. But embracing new approaches creates room for incredible change, and creates incredible opportunities. There’s a lot of grassroots community spirit out there and a lot of passion from local business people. We don’t want our momentum or the momentum that has built up in the region to slow. Now we have an organisation to help channel that energy for the benefit of everyone in our region.”

ENDS

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