Computers in Homes Annual Report july 2013 Computers in Homes is an initiative of the 2020 Communications Trust. The programme receives support from the Government’s Digital Literacy and Connection Fund (administered by the Department of Internal Affairs) and the Ministry of Education as well as numerous business and community partners. Website: www.computersinhomes.org.nz The 2020 Communications Trust is a registered charitable Trust, established in 1996. Website: www.2020.org.nz Contents Comment from Programme Director. 5 Comment from National Coordinator. 7 Comment from Project Researcher. 8 Case Studies. .20 Far North . .24 Northland. .26 Auckland. 28 Waikato. .30 Bay of Plenty. .32 Hawkes Bay. 34 Taranaki. .36 Wanganui . .38 Manawatu/Horowhenua. .40 Wairarapa. .42 Porirua. 44 Wellington/Lower Hutt. 46 Nelson/Marlborough. 48 Christchurch. .50 West Coast. 52 Dunedin. .54 Refugee Programme. .56 KiwiSkills. 58 Stepping UP. 60 Acknowledgements. 66 Front cover: The Pasifika community in Blenheim turned out in force to support the families graduating from Computers in Homes in May 2013. These Polyfest performers hurried back from their Christchurch competitions the night before, especially to honour their graduate parents. 4 ComPuteRs in Homes gRAduAtes 2012–13: Graduated In Training Dunedin Christchurch West Coast Nelson/Marlborough Wellington/Hutt Porirua Wairarapa Manawatu/Horowhenua Whanganui Taranaki/ Central North Is Hawkes Bay Bay of Plenty Waikato Auckland Northland Far North 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 ComPuteRs in Homes gRAduAtes 2006–2012: Computers in Homes Graduates 2006-12 2000 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 PercentAge of HouseHolds WitH dePendent CHildRen WitHout An inteRnet ConneCtion:* Northland Manawatu-Wanganui Bay of Plenty Gisborne / Hawke’s Bay Waikato Auckland Marlborough / West Coast Taranaki Wellington Southland Canterbury Manawatu-Wanganui Otago Bay of Plenty Nelson / Tasman Gisborne / Hawke’s Bay 0% 5% 10% 15% Waikato20% 25% Auckland * Statistics New Zealand 2012 ICT Household Survey 5 Comment from Programme director, laurence Zwimpfer mnZm i am pleased to report that for the third year of our 3-year Computers in Homes contract under the government’s digital literacy and Connection programme, we have exceeded our funded target. over the three years (2010–13) we have supported a total of 4200 families compared to a funded target of 4000. 1569 of these have been in the last year (2012–13). We have also maintained matching support in terms of voluntary and discounted services from business and community partners. In 2012–13, we supported families in 16 targeted At the start of the 2012–13 year, we introduced regions, all of which were identified in the 2006 some new options for helping families get an Census as digitally under-served communities. The affordable internet connection, including Naked demand for the programme continues to exceed the DSL. We had discovered during the previous year funding available – we have over 3000 families from that an increasing number of families no longer had 175 schools registered on our waiting list. We give a fixed telephone line and as result they were unable priority to families in decile 1 to 3 school areas in the to take advantage of our ADSL internet package. most digitally disconnected regions. From July 2012, we offered all families the choice of ADSL over an existing telephone line or Naked DSL Many of these families are in isolated rural for a full 12-month period. This meant that instead communities and this creates an ongoing challenge in of receiving a fully-funded internet connection for providing affordable internet connections. The 2012 6 months, they received a subsidised connection ICT Household survey from Statistics New Zealand for 12 months. For families without access to revealed a total of 69,000 families with dependent broadband internet, we are continuing to pursue children without internet connections in their wireless connections, especially in rural areas where homes. This survey revealed the ongoing regional we are leveraging on schools' RBI (rural broadband differences in terms of internet access. We look initiative) connections. forward to the results of the 2013 Census which we expect will provide more detailed information on During the last 12 months we also introduced an digitally disconnected communities. automatic payment scheme for internet connections with families contributing $5 or $10 a week. While On 2 July 2013 Ministers Hekia Parata (Education), some families have struggled to maintain this regular Nikki Kaye (Associate Education) and Jo Goodhew payment, most have welcomed this option that fits (Community and Voluntary) jointly announced that into their family budgets much better. The results funding for Computers in Homes in 2013–14 would speak for themselves: in 2012–13, we were able to be retained at the same level as the last two years, provide internet connections to 68% of all families enabling us to continue supporting 1500 families. compared to 52% in 2011–12. We also welcomed the commitment from Ministers that they would ensure the programme continues in We are also pleased to provide updates in this future years. Our goal is to expand the programme report for our two related digital literacy initiatives to reach 5000 families every year. We have the Stepping UP and KiwiSkills. The former is proving capability and support infrastructure already in place a comfortable fit with public libraries and we are to deliver at this level. working hard to get KiwiS kills recognised as a foundation digital literacy training programme as part The Ministry of Education also renewed our of training for work initiatives. Computers in Homes contract to support a further 100 refugee families in 2013–14; this programme is now in its 10th year. 6 the united māori mission – tiro Roa youth Hostel, Residential Home for Boys in mt eden Auckland. moRe info At: http://pilotscih.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/ united-maori-mission-tiro-roa-hostel.html http://umm.snappages.com/home.htm 7 Comment from national Coordinator, di daniels this year in the national office we have been supported by Briar Kopa, who juggles her time between national Computers in Homes support, 2020 Administration and her Wellington/Hutt Computers in Homes programme. Briar and i have developed a strong partnership and direct working style for which i am very grateful. The potential for me to organise and manage pilot Grammar and this is a venture we are proud to projects around the Motu does not appear to support. A similar UMM girls’ hostel is planned for be any less than it ever was, with new areas like 2014. Marlborough opening up, and repeated requests I am proud to lead our team of fantastic regional from Southland, Mangakino and Taihape which fall coordinators who serve their communities and outside our coordinator regions. Already many of families so well. They are continually extending what our team travel huge distances to serve outlying we achieve by taking Computers in Homes, Stepping communities in Bay of Plenty, Central North Island UP and KiwiSkills into flexible learning situations and Northland. We are even being asked to help in libraries, schools, marae, community centres other organisations like GRG (Grandparents Raising and onboard DORA, our Christchurch mobile Grandchildren), the Māori Wardens and migrant learning centre. They push the boundaries in getting aged-care institutions. There is a growing realisation families connected by exploring and implementing of how important it is to be online at home in order Wi-Fi internet options in areas where connectivity to access services and communicate with family, with has seemed impossible. They are resourceful and access to effective basic training to facilitate this. committed and we are grateful to have their talents One of my most satisfying ventures this year has and expertise on board. been working with the United Māori Mission (UMM) Nga mihi nui e koutou katoa. to get a homework pod into their residential home in Mt Eden. Fifty boys from Northland, Rotorua, Waikato and South Auckland live in the hostel so they can be in-zone to attend Auckland Grammar school. There were only three old, broken computers for 50 boys to do their homework on, and we had no funding for this sort of venture, but I leveraged on our community relationship with Transpower and secured 16 desktops for the boys. 2020 Communications Trust has developed an MOU with the Mission and is continuing to support Matua Terrance Wallace, Director of UMM in applying for funding to upgrade to a UFB internet connection and expand the wireless infrastructure within the hostel. This will mean that all the 50 boys can do their homework online. UMM is also seeking funding assistance to procure tablets for the senior boys and for strengthening connections between the boys in the hostel with their homes. The UMM boys are achieving exceptionally well at Auckland 8 Comment from Project Researcher, Barbara Craig We value the effort and time Computers in Homes families give us in responding to our pre- and post-surveys as this feedback about their experiences and achievements at the community level is an important part of our forward planning process. our database to date provides information from participants graduating between 2010 and the present day, with 5,182 pre-surveys completed at graduation from training and 2,064 post-surveys participants complete 12 to 18 months after taking a computer home. What are new in this annual report are graphs impacts on the school and with student academic looking at trends over those years to understand performance. what changes, if any, have there been in the societal This report presents the results of responses to the and educational backgrounds of those signing up to two online questionnaires completed by participants the programme.