Digital Inclusion Whanganui’s First Principles are the foundation of everything we do. They set out, in plain language, the values and disciplines that guide our decisions, partnerships, and priorities. These principles are not a checklist or a marketing slogan — they are a living framework that helps us stay true to our kaupapa: reducing digital exclusion so that everyone in Whanganui can live, work, and connect with confidence. Together, they ensure our mahi remains grounded in equity, evidence, and accountability, while reflecting the relationships and responsibilities that make our community unique.
- Purpose & Kaupapa
Our purpose is simple but powerful: to reduce digital exclusion in Whanganui so that everyone can live, work, and connect with confidence. This kaupapa anchors everything we do — it keeps us grounded in service, not status. It reminds us that the goal isn’t technology for its own sake but enabling people and communities to flourish through equitable access and digital capability.
In practice, this principle means every idea, project, or partnership must connect back to this purpose. Whether we’re testing a pilot, supporting seniors, or building new collaborations, we ask: does this reduce exclusion and empower confidence? It also means we stay small, nimble, and values-led rather than chasing scale for its own sake. Our kaupapa is our compass.
- Equity First
Equity is our first filter for decisions. We focus our effort where barriers are greatest and potential benefit is highest — often among those who have been least served by mainstream digital systems. This includes older people, families with limited income, Māori and Pasifika whānau, jobseekers, and people with disabilities.
Applying an Equity First lens means we identify gaps others overlook and design responses that match local realities, not national averages. We’re honest about who benefits and who misses out, and we aim to shift that balance. Our success will be measured by who we bring in from the margins, not how many devices or workshops we deliver.
- Te Tiriti Alignment
Te Tiriti o Waitangi guides how we show up — in partnership, participation, and protection. We respect mana whenua and seek alignment, not appropriation. In digital inclusion mahi, this means honouring Māori leadership, co-designing where possible, and ensuring that whānau, hapū, and iwi voices are part of shaping local digital futures.
Practically, this principle shows in how we build trust and accountability. We don’t just invite Māori participation after plans are made; we seek to shape plans together. We also examine how digital systems — data governance, online safety, AI tools — reflect or distort Te Tiriti principles. Te Tiriti alignment is not a checkbox; it is an ongoing relationship of respect and shared responsibility.
- The 4R Rule
The 4R Rule — Right Focus, Right Message, Right Regulator, Right Outcome — keeps our advocacy disciplined and effective. Every issue we raise must be clearly defined, directed to the right duty-holder, and framed with a single, evidence-backed ask. This prevents scattershot lobbying and helps partners understand exactly how to act.
We apply the 4R Rule to evaluate each potential initiative. It clarifies where local influence matters most and when escalation to national players like MBIE, DECA, or the Commerce Commission makes sense. By maintaining one clear focus per issue, we conserve energy, build credibility, and deliver measurable outcomes instead of noise.
- Evidence-Led
Being evidence-led means we test assumptions, use local insights, and share what we learn — successes and failures alike. We’re not here to prove we’re right but to learn what works for Whanganui. This includes using data responsibly, gathering community feedback, and publishing results once they’re ready and reliable.
In daily mahi, this means slowing down to listen, analyse, and reflect before acting. It also means valuing lived experience alongside formal data. A grandmother’s experience with online banking, a youth worker’s observations, or a library’s Wi-Fi usage patterns are all valid forms of evidence. This principle ensures our work stays transparent, adaptable, and credible.
- Safety & Stewardship
Safety and stewardship are about care — for people, data, and trust. We help residents and organisations keep themselves safe online, and we model careful handling of information. Consent, clarity, and protection of privacy underpin every engagement. In an age of surveillance and misinformation, trust is our most valuable currency.
In practice, this means providing practical digital safety support while also demonstrating responsible governance of our own systems and data. It’s not just about cybersecurity — it’s about manaakitanga online. We see ourselves as kaitiaki (stewards), ensuring that technology serves people without exposing them to harm.
- Transparency
Transparency builds legitimacy. We commit to saying what we’re trying, what worked, and what didn’t — without naming individuals or assigning blame. This openness invites others to learn with us, and it shows funders and partners that our mahi is accountable and evolving.
We publish working documents, frameworks, and evaluation summaries so others can see our thinking in progress. Nothing is hidden behind jargon or spin. Transparency keeps us honest, keeps the community informed, and reinforces that Digital Inclusion Whanganui is a shared journey — one built on trust and shared learning.