Countdown to Techweek – Digital Inclusion in Motion

As Easter weekend arrives, I’m acutely aware of how close we are to our big day at Techweek 2025 — just a few short weeks away now, on 20 May at The Backhouse in Whanganui. There’s still plenty to do, but getting our draft Needs Analysis out for review has been a turning point. It’s given shape to our mahi and motivation to push forward.

• Each day brings something new — a new insight, a fresh challenge, and always, another reason to believe that what we’re doing really matters. This morning, I was struck by a simple but powerful moment while checking my digital inclusion newsfeed: Philadelphia, a city ten times the size of Whanganui, has just released an exceptional report outlining their digital strategy. Despite the scale difference, their issues felt surprisingly familiar — access, affordability, community support, and the ongoing effort to close the digital divide.

What really impressed me was the clarity and design of their data presentation. With help from ChatGPT, I was able to translate the insights into ideas relevant for Aotearoa. It reminded me again that while our resources may be smaller, our goals are just as valid — and sometimes, our local context allows us to be more agile and more personal in our responses.

• Another inspiring piece came from today’s Google newsfeed about CCCIs — Community-Centred Connectivity Initiatives. (Yes, that’s a mouthful, and I’ll be double-checking the acronym.) These initiatives are about local communities co-designing the solutions they need. It’s not about waiting for someone else to fix things — it’s about organising ourselves, learning from others, and making it happen from the ground up.

In many ways, that’s what Digital Inclusion Whanganui is about. We’re not just identifying gaps — we’re inviting people to help fill them. From talking at the Positive Ageing Forum about how important digital access is for seniors’ wellbeing, to publishing short stories in the River City Press, the kaupapa is spreading, bit by bit. Every action counts, no matter how small.

• This is a busy time — but it’s also energising. I finally feel like I’m getting on top of things, not just reacting, but shaping a path. We’ve still got work to do before Techweek, but it’s taking form. There’s momentum now — and there’s purpose.

If you’re reading this and wondering what it’s all about, the simplest answer is this: Digital inclusion is not about gadgets or the latest tech. It’s about people. It’s about ensuring that no one is left behind because they don’t have the tools, skills, or confidence to connect. And it’s about recognising that community-led solutions, like ours here in Whanganui, might just be the way forward for Aotearoa as a whole.

Let’s make it count.

This blog post is a collaborative creation by Alistair Fraser, with the innovative assistance of OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4o, highlighting the synergy of human creativity and advanced AI technology.