Otara hub powers New Zealand’s most connected community

Who: Prime Minister John Key, Office of Minister Tariana Turia, and New Zealand Business leaders

What: Attending the Launch of Computer Clubhouse Connected Community Project

When: Thursday, 27 May 2010 --- 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Where: Computer Clubhouse 274, 51 Othello Drive, Otara, Manukau City

“The point of difference in this project that sets it into a class of its own is that we have established a seamless set of integrated solutions with equal weighting on the technology and the people who use it. It’s a digital solution on steroids.”

This is how Mike Usmar, CEO of Computer Clubhouse Trust describes the Computer Clubhouse Connected Community Project based at Clubhouse 274 in Otara. “Until we are shown otherwise, we believe that we are the most connected community in New Zealand,” said Usmar. The Project delivers a hefty, fully integrated digital learning environment with Clubhouse 274 operating as a hub between schools and the community, along with a seamless set of digital solutions including:

A fibre network that is part of Vector’s Metro Ethernet, providing ultrafast broadband to a free community-wide wireless network built by Rural Link to all Clover Park residents in association with community partners, Housing New Zealand

An online portal allowing the community to communicate and share digitally created content, developed at the University of Auckland and funded by the Ministry of Youth Development and Manukau City Council

Distribution of low cost digital devices through the Intel Classmate Laptop Project funded by Microsoft New Zealand and the Auckland Airport Community Trust

A Mobile Clubhouse 274 caravan to reach anywhere within the immediate precinct of the Computer Clubhouse Connected Community Project provided by Hewlett Packard New Zealand (More) The project has received mult-sector support, and its launch on Thursday carries national significance as demonstrated by the participation of Prime Minister John Key, the Office of Minister Tariana Turia, Manukau City Mayor Len Brown, Sir Stephen Tindall, and other business leaders including Simon Mackenzie of Vector Communications, Kevin Ackhurst of Microsoft New Zealand, and Keith Watson of Hewlett Packard New Zealand.

IT industry representatives include Brett O’Riley, NZICT; Sean McDonald, ICONZ; and Murray Pearson, Rural Link. “The Connected Community Project is an investment by the Computer Clubhouse Trust and our multi-sector partners in two key components: digital infrastructure and mobilising people--our best community assets--in utilising these modern digital tools,” said Usmar. Computer Clubhouse and the Connected Community project is an excellent example of what a successful private, community and government strategy can deliver when it is coordinated around a non-partisan vision for combining a community’s natural assets—it’s people, their aspirations and talents--with cutting-edge technology to participate in and lead 21st Century New Zealand society and the national economy.

ENDS