Govt bids to bridge digital division
The Government will set up a committee of up to 15 people to provide advice on how the country can grow the digital economy and reduce ‘‘digital divides’’.
Communications Minister Clare Curran said one of the group’s goals would be to ensure all Kiwis had ‘‘affordable access to digital services, and the motivation, skills and trust to fully participate in our digital world’’.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has invited people to apply by the end of January to be on the committee, which will pay members a daily rate of between $140 and $1062.
The questions the Ministerial Advisory Group could consider are broad, according to its terms of reference.
They range from what it would take to ‘‘eliminate digital divides by 2020’’, to whether there are ways to accelerate the roll-out of 5G technology and to ensure ICT becomes the second-largest contributor to the economy by 2025.
A report produced for MBIE in May estimated that about 100,000 children were growing up in a home without an internet connection.
Curran said she was seeking ‘‘the best thinkers across the community’’ for the committee.
The Government also intends to appoint a national ‘‘chief technology officer’’ to guide the country’s digital future.