Media Release - 7 June 2011

Keynote Speech At NetHui

InternetNZ (Internet New Zealand Inc) is pleased to announce that Hon Steven Joyce, Minister for Information Technology and Communications, will present a keynote speech on the second day of NetHui 2011 at SkyCity in Auckland later this month. The Attorney General, Hon Chris Finlayson, will also present at a panel discussion on Globalisation, the Internet and the Law on the last day of NetHui.

InternetNZ Chief Executive Vikram Kumar welcomed the Ministers’ participation, saying that the views of all stakeholders are crucial for this Internet-focused event. More information about NetHui is available at www.nethui.org.nz

"We are fortunate as a country to have the political will to drive forward with a new fibre network; address the legal, social, and economic issues that surround the Internet; and ensure the Internet works for the benefit of all New Zealanders. InternetNZ is very pleased to be facilitating NetHui 2011, bringing together individuals, community and sector groups to discuss these issues in the context of the growing integration of the Internet into our everyday lives.

Examples of topics that will be covered at NetHui include: The Law of the Net, Copyright, Cloud Computing, Privacy for business, Cybersafety, 21st Century Parenting, Digital Inclusion, Civic Engagement, Future of Content and Media, Teaching the Teachers, Open Government Data, IPv6 and IPv4 exhaustion, Emergency response. Full details at www.nethui.org.nz/session-outlines

"We have two days of roundtable sessions divided into four streams - all discussions, where participants can get to the bottom of issues. The key driver of these two days is participants themselves," says Kumar.

For the third and last day on the Friday, everyone will be in the same room, to hear a special International Keynote from Harvard Professor Lawrence Lessig. This will be followed by a specially arranged screening of the "The Virtual Revolution". Next is a panel on the "Globalisation, the Internet and the Law" with Hon Chris Finlayson, Professor Lawrence Lessig, Judge David Harvey, Google Head of Public Policy Asia Pacific Ross Lajeunesse, and IP Lawyer Rick Shera.

Other panel and open participation sessions will complete the day bringing together the threads from the previous two days to inform and help shape the future of the Internet in New Zealand.

"New Zealand has been a leader in Internet policy, with a significant global reputation, well represented in the global governance organisations of the Internet," says Kumar.

"We've got there by having an educated, enlightened and independent approach to the Internet in our own country and taking that experience to the world. To remain a leader we need to ensure all sectors and communities are on board and working together for the best advantage. Registrations are open for NetHui. Over 250 participants have already registered and spaces are limited.

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