Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: First appointments to Digital Advisory Group

Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media and Government Digital Services Clare Curran announced the first eight members of the Digital Economy and Digital Inclusion Advisory Group today.
Expressions of interest for the Group, which will advise the Government on how it can build the digital economy and reduce digital divides, were sought in December 2017. It will bring together innovators and leading thinkers from urban and rural New Zealand, NGOs, Māoridom, industry, and community groups. 
The Group will eventually consist of 14 members, and a Chair.  Membership of the group will change over time, and additional subject-matter experts may be called upon to advise the Group as its work develops.
“This Government wants to see every New Zealander able to participate fully in our society and it’s clear that our future will be a digital-rich world. The economy and everyday interactions will be increasingly driven or supported by digital technology,” says Ms Curran.
“In appointing the Chair and initial members of the Group I am conscious of the depth and breadth of interest in the digital economy and digital inclusion. Over 300 people applied for positions in the Group and it is my hope that the first eight highly qualified members will assist in the selection process for the remaining seven members, while keeping other interested people involved as the Group’s work develops.”
“It is in this spirit of openness and dynamism that I hope they will approach their ongoing work to develop a blueprint for digital inclusion and digital enablement. Members will be reaching back into their communities for broader input and innovation rather than a more traditional monthly attendance at a meeting.”
“What we need is a highly collaborative team who see their own stakeholders, colleagues, communities and the public, as virtual members of the Group.
“We aim to bring all New Zealanders with us, and enable them to share in the rewards and opportunities ahead. As such I’m inviting those who expressed an interest in participating in the Group to be part of a broader digital economy and inclusion network – we’ll be letting people know more about that in the coming weeks.”
The Group’s input will be sought to identify and support the selection of a new Chief Technology Officer following a widening of the initial search that took place earlier this year.
The first eight members of the Digital Economy and Digital Inclusion Advisory Group are:  

Frances Valintine (Chair)

Founder and Chairperson at The Mind Lab, and Founder/CEO of Tech Futures Lab

Potaua Biasiny-Tule

Co-Founder of Digital Natives Academy, Digital Basecamp, 4 Company B, and CEO/Managing Director of TangataWhenua.com

Jordan Carter             

Chief Executive  of InternetNZ

Kaila Colbin

Co-founder and Chair of Ministry of Awesome, Curator of TEDxChristchurch and SingularityU NZ and Australia Summits, Deputy Chair of CORE Education, Director of ChristchurchNZ

Brenda Leeuwenberg

Head of Innovation at NZ On Air, Board Member of Women in Film & Television, and Director of Nomad8 

Rohan MacMahon

Management consultant and involved in business development for digital technology companies. Previously Strategy Director at Crown Fibre Holdings

Victoria MacLennan

Co-chair of NZRise, Managing Director and CEO of OptimalHQ Group, Trustee and Board Chair of Code Club Aotearoa, Chair of the Digital Skills Forum, Investor and Director.

Chris O’Connell          

Director of Heartland Connectivity Taskforce Ltd, extensively involved with broadband rollout.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Hui to help shape Crown/Māori Relations

Crown/Māori Relations Minister Kelvin Davis will be holding hui across the country as part of rejuvenating the relationship between the Government and Māori.
Initial thoughts on the new Crown/Māori Relations portfolio include improving the way government departments engage with Māori and respond to Māori issues, ensuring Treaty settlement obligations are honoured, and finding new and different opportunities for more active partnership between the Crown and Māori.
“With the Treaty Settlement process drawing to a close the time is right to look beyond the negotiating table and rejuvenate the relationship between the Crown and Māori. Too often in the past the Crown has told Māori what their relationship will be. That’s not a mistake this Government will make,” Mr Davis says.
“Before finalising the scope and priorities of the Crown/Māori portfolio – exactly how the portfolio is going to foster a healthier relationship between the Crown and Māori – I want to listen widely, and hear ideas from across New Zealand. I have begun to meet with Māori and non-Māori national organisations but also want to talk to groups and people around the country – including rūnanga, hapū, and rangatahi – about what the relationship should look like. Everyone is welcome at our hui.”
“This Government wants to create a thriving, sustainable and future focused economy and environment. That’s why we’re focused on reducing poverty and inequality, better housing, better jobs and higher incomes. To help achieve this, and deliver real benefits for Māori, the Crown/Māori relationship must be strong.”
Mr Davis and officials will hold a series of hui around the country exploring challenges and opportunities in the Crown/Māori relationship. The first public hui will be held in Kaitaia in early April. Other hui will be held in Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, Thames, Rotorua, Hastings, Gisborne, New Plymouth, Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch and Invercargill before June.   
For those who want to attend hui, dates and locations can be found on the Ministry of Justice website: www.justice.govt.nz/crown-maori. An online feedback form for those unable to meet kanohi ki te kanohi is also on the website.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Minister honours gold winning Kiwi Paralympian Adam Hall

Minister for Disability Issues Carmel Sepuloni says gold-medal winning Paralympian Adam Hall is an inspiration to all New Zealanders.
“Adam continues to dominate the world of Para alpine skiing. Not only did he win both bronze and gold at the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games, he was also awarded the top honour of the event,” said Carmel Sepuloni.
The Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award is presented at every Paralympic Games to one male and one female athlete who each “best exemplify the spirit of the Games”.
“This award reflects Adam’s commitment, hard work and talent as an athlete as well as his contribution to his community. It is a rare and prestigious honour and the first time a New Zealander has won the award.
“Our Kiwi team has finished the games in PyeongChang with an outstanding total of three medals, one gold and two bronze, and on behalf of all New Zealanders I extend my warmest congratulations.  
“It’s important to me we show our appreciation for the talent and hard work that has taken our Paralympians to the top of their sports.
“I look forward to celebrating our Kiwi Paralympian’s success when Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and I officially welcome them home this week,” Carmel Sepuloni said.
 

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Diversity in Conservation Board membership sought

Nominations for Conservation Boards have been reopened to ensure they reflect the diverse communities they serve, Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage announced today.
The Department of Conservation re-opened the nomination process for recruiting a broader cross-section of members from the different communities each board represents on the Minister’s recommendation.
The nomination process for the 2018 appointments was undertaken late last year and may have been affected by the Christmas holidays. The Department received 143 nominations for a total of 45 positions on 15 conservation boards.  
“Conservation Boards are an important way for people to have their say and influence how public conservation lands and waters are managed. Their voice and role really matter. Membership of the boards should reflect the strong and diverse public interest in conservation and protecting New Zealand’s natural and historic resources,” Ms Sage said.
“I want to cast the net wider, using online and media channels, to ensure a wide range of people know about the roles and how to apply.”
The new process opens today with nominations closing on Saturday 14 April 2018. Ms Sage will consider nominations and decide appointments by 30 June. People who already put their names forward will still be considered.
“Anyone in the community who is passionate and knowledgeable about conservation should put their hands up,” said Ms Sage.
“Think about who you know with knowledge of nature conservation, natural earth and marine sciences, cultural heritage, recreation, tourism, the local community and a Māori perspective. 
“On any one board there may be students, teachers, farmers, fishers, scientists, builders, tourism operators, home makers and retired people.”
Background information
What do conservation boards do?
The functions of boards are set out in Section 6M of the Conservation Act 1987 and in the National Parks and Reserves Acts. The boards focus on planning and strategic direction, not the day-to-day operational details of the Department’s work.
Board work includes:
overseeing the Conservation Management Strategy for its region.
developing and reviewing national park and other management plans for lands administered by the Department;
advising on proposals for marine reserves;
considering the impact of concessions for tourism and other activities on conservation land;
looking at the range of recreational opportunities in the region;
advising on proposals to change the protective status or classification of areas of national or international importance.
What is expected of a board member?
An interest in conservation and enough capacity to do the work.
Most boards meet four-five times a year and meetings take a full day, sometimes longer particularly if inspection visits are needed.
There will also be committee meetings, time required for researching issues and working on reports or submissions, preparation time spent reading briefing material before meetings, and time for liaison and public consultation.
Do board members get paid?
Conservation boards members are paid $180 per day for meetings and fieldtrips. They can also claim for preparation time, and for fair and reasonable expenses (e.g., petrol and mileage if they use their personal vehicle for fieldtrips, car parking etc).
For further information please see the Departments Conservation Board pages for info on the process and the roles themselves.
http://www.doc.govt.nz/about-us/statutory-and-advisory-bodies/conservation-boards/
Feel free to contact myself or Rick McGovern-Wilson if you have any questions.