Waikato 2020 is a registered charitable trust established in 2002 by a group of people interested in improving access and support for Waikato tangata whenua, community and voluntary groups to take advantage of information and communications technologies (ICTs). Meet OurPeople
The Trust was inspired by and modelled on the highly successful Wellington 2020 Communications Trust and is affiliated with National 2020 Communications Trust.
Initial funding for the Trust came from Hamilton City Council and the Waikato Management School’s FRST-funded research project entitled “ICTs in the Workplace and Communities” (www.mngt.waikato.ac.nz/ict). During 2007 , 08 and 09 increased funding, hard working staff and volunteers have enabled us to develop and extend our projects and services.
Our 2008 and 9 projects and services included:
WaiNet (Waikato Community Net) provides free website hosting for tangata whenua, community and voluntary groups. To view some of the many websites hosted by WaiNet and to find out whether your organisation meets the criteria to have one, visit www.wainet.org
eDay 2009 in Hamilton and satellite collections – for full details go to eDay
Engage Your Community, held in April at Waikato University, was New Zealand’s first opportunity to gain hands-on learning about interactive web-based tools. More than 70 tangata whenua, community and voluntary organisations, local government and social service organisations attended this Waikato 2020 event. Further information is on the Web Tools page.
New Zealand Webguide www.webguide.net.nz is an on-line learning resource with a focus on providing useful tools for community groups. Go to the Webguide page for more.
Computers in Homes www.computersinhomes.org.nz is a national programme that provides free computers, internet connections and skills training for families in low decile schools. For more information go to the CinHomes page
Waikato 2020 history:
The Trust was established in 2002 by a group of people interested in providing access and support to Waikato residents and community groups in taking advantage of information and communications technologies (ICTs). The Trust was inspired by and modelled on the highly successful Wellington 2020 Communications Trust and is affiliated with National 2020 Communications Trust. The founding members of Waikato 2020 were a small group of staff from Wintec and the Waikato Management School. Trustees and members have since included members of Hamilton City Council, local business people, and others who are active in Hamilton social service organisations and community ICT work. Initial funding for the Trust came from Hamilton City Council and the Waikato Management School’s FRST-funded research project entitled “ICTs in the Workplace and Communities” (www.mngt.waikato.ac.nz/ict). As part of our annual strategic planning in early 2007, it was determined that the appointment of a director was the logical next step in the development of the trust. As part of the transition of Trustees toward a governance role – with the Director taking on the management of all programmes – priorities, practices and structures were developed to ensure an effective beginning and effective delivery and development of services.
The mission of Waikato 2020 has been to:
Support, encourage, and facilitate the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for the benefit of communities in the Waikato, particularly those communities that are least able to get access and gain skills to take advantage of the potential benefits of ICTs.
The core values of Waikato 2020 are:
1. Transformation: Access to and competence in using ICTs in order to benefit from their transformative potential. We are committed to positive transformation for people and communities.
2. Empowerment: We are committed to helping people and communities to help themselves to achieve their goals and dreams through effective use of ICTs.
3. Responsibility: Those of us with the resources to do so have a responsibility to help others in our communities. We act responsibly in managing the resources entrusted to us.
4. Community: Together we can make a better community for everyone.
The goals of Waikato 2020 are to:
• Sponsor and support communication technology initiatives which have the potential to benefit communities in the Waikato
• Promote and reinforce the cultural identity of people in the Waikato region through communication technologies
• Seek participation of business and local government in dynamic partnerships to achieve our goals.
• Promote discussion, investigation and development of ideas, knowledge and communication technologies
• Research and evaluate new opportunities for learning, understanding, networking and collaborating through communication technologies