Discussion on Future:Digital
InternetNZ released earlier this month a discussion document called Future:Digital, talking about possible priorities for a future Government. It’s only nine pages so an easy read. There are five themes:
- The Internet drives economic growth
- A digitally inclusive society
- A vibrant, multi-cultural identity
- Protecting the environment for future generations
- A Government that “gets” the Internet
Waldo Kuipers from Microsoft talks about some of these themes in a blog post. He makes an interesting point:
In a paper looking back on 125 years of refrigeration (PDF), Dr Andrew Cleland explains, “In 1882 the first refrigerated meat left New Zealand for London, the pioneering use of a technology that was to transform the New Zealand economy. Animals were no longer grown for wool only, and the wealth of the nation developed rapidly. From 1882 until as recently as the early 1990s refrigerated food has returned at least 30% of New Zealand’s export income. Whilst much of the equipment has been imported, expertise in the application of refrigeration was developed in New Zealand.”
For New Zealand, the internet could be the best thing since refrigeration.
Reps from five of our political parties also debated Internet issues last week. If you missed it, you can view or listen to it at this page.