This is a light, public explainer of our framework — not a project plan. Details and tables will be published later once checked and agreed.
Why this page now
Following our nomination as a finalist for Community Initiative of the Year in the TUANZ Member Awards, we’ve chosen to go back to basics. The aim is simple: make the most of the attention by explaining our first‑principles clearly, without locking ourselves into specific projects before they’re ready. This page is the public doorway to that reset.
What this page is (and isn’t)
- Is: A short, public introduction to the principles that guide our mahi — in plain language.
- Isn’t: A list of projects, partners, dates, or funding commitments. Nothing here implies a decision.
- Is: A living overview that we’ll refine after internal review.
- Isn’t: The full technical framework — tables and detail will be shared later when checked and agreed.
Our First‑Principles Framework (short form)
- Purpose & Kaupapa — Why we exist: to reduce digital exclusion in Whanganui so people can live, work and connect with confidence.
- Equity First — We focus effort where barriers are greatest and potential benefit is highest.
- Te Tiriti Alignment — Partnership, participation and protection guide how we show up and who we work with.
- The 4R Rule — Right focus • Right message • Right regulator • Right outcome. One issue, one clear ask, to the right duty‑holder.
- Evidence‑Led — We test assumptions, use local insight, and publish what we learn when it’s ready.
- Safety & Stewardship — We help keep people safe online and handle data with care and consent.
- Transparency — We’ll say what we’re trying, what worked, and what didn’t—without naming individuals.
Click here for a fuller description of each principle.
What we mean by Digital Inclusion
Every Whanganui household should be able to connect, learn and stay safe online — with the right support when cost, confidence, disability or location get in the way.
Click here for a fuller explanation of what we mean by digital inclusion.
How this guides our mahi (at a high level)
These principles help us choose where to put effort, how we advocate, and how we measure impact. They do not pre‑decide programmes or partners.
What’s next
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Internal review: We’ll check and agree the full framework first.
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Public update: We’ll publish a fuller, plain-English note on each principle once reviewed.
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Slide deck: We’ll create a short PowerPoint version of these principles for talks.
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Cadence: We’ll refresh this page periodically as we learn.
From Principles to Practice
These seven First Principles now guide how we evaluate ten potential initiatives for Digital Inclusion Whanganui.
- Each initiative has been tested against our 4R Rule — Right Focus • Right Message • Right Regulator • Right Outcome — to check where we can make the biggest difference locally.
We’re sharing our working documents so partners and residents can see our thinking and how we make choices.
- They are planning tools, not project announcements.
- Nothing is locked in until it’s discussed, tested, and agreed.
Working Documents
• DIW Strategic Planning First Principles — background to the framework and how we apply it.
• All issues and initiatives — overview table comparing urgency, impact, and feasibility.
• DIW Issue Initiative Evaluation summaries — detailed one-pagers applying the 4R Rule and early feasibility scores.
These files are shared for transparency and learning.
They show where our thinking is heading, not what is already under way.
A Living Framework
Digital Inclusion Whanganui will update these materials quarterly as part of our learning and reflection cycle.
We’ll keep publishing what we learn — what worked, what didn’t, and where we go next.
Updated October 2025 • Digital Inclusion Whanganui • Equity through Connectivity