CIH Manawatu Horowhenua: 2013

Ultra Fast Broadband (UFB) Launch in Kapiti

I was very fortunate to be invited to the launch of UFB to represent 2020 Communications Trust. The UFB plans were launched by the Honorable Amy Adams who was supported by local MP Nathan Guy, and the Mayors of Kapiti (Jenny Rowan), Horowhenua (Brendan Duffy) and Gisborne (Meng Foon).

UFB puts Aotearoa on the map in terms of technology and promises to catapult us into the international markets. The Minister talked about this being a significant investment in the future of Aotearoa, coming in at a cool $1.35 billion investment!

“The deployment of UFB is one of the largest and most transformative infrastructure projects ever to be undertaken in New Zealand. We continue to make good progress on a fibre network that will ultimately transform New Zealand’s connectivity,” Ms Adams says.

Over the build period, the UFB network will be in reach of more than 48,000 premises in Upper Hutt, the Kapiti Coast, Levin, and Gisborne.

In addition to the 25 schools in these areas that are already able to access the Government’s UFB network, a further 18 schools will be covered by the network within the next 12 months.

If you would like to read more http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/ufb-underway-upper-hutt-kapiti-levin-gisborne

Meng Foon speaking flanked by Min. Amy Adams and Kapiti Mayor Jenny Rowan

The roll out map for Levin (blue areas highlight where UFB will be available)

Deputy Mayor Attends Shannon School Graduation

Deputy Mayor of Horowhenua District Council Barry Judd was our guest of honour at the Shannon School graduation on 27 June 2013. He spoke about his connection with the school, being a past pupil and what it was like growing up in Shannon.

We also enjoyed the company of Shannon School principal Murray Powell, some of their BoT members, our CiH National Coordinator Di Daniels, trainers Kyle and Cindy Sayles and of course our awesome graduates.

After a moving ceremony (there were a few tears shed!) we celebrated the graduates and their whanau with a shared kai. Awesome Shannon ... we look forward to hearing about the difference this programme has made to your lives!

From left to right: Mr Fuller (BOT), Barry Judd (Dep. Mayor), Sarah Lee, Di Daniels and Murray Powell (Principal)

Happy graduate whanau collecting their computer

And again!

Graduations at Levin Intermediate

It was awesome to welcome another 20 families from Levin Intermediate into the digital World! They are now well on their way to becoming digital citizens of the 21st Century.

Our programme was delivered twice at Levin Intermediate with our first 10 families graduating on 7 November 2012 and our second intake of families graduating on 27 June 2013. Both evenings were very enjoyable complete with some inspiring speeches from our VIP's, certificate presentations and followed by a shared kai.