Whangarei community benefits from Computers in Homes

Ten families from Otangarei in Whangarei celebrated recently at a Computer in Homes graduation attended by local dignitaries.

Through the national Computers in Homes programme and with the generous support of Housing NZ in Whangarei, these families have been provided with computers and internet access along with training, skills and support to use these technologies.

The programme aims to bring computer and internet technologies within reach of all NZ families with school-aged children and allows parents and grandparents to connect and be more involved with their children’s learning.

Computers in Homes estimates more than 100,000 NZ families with school-aged children in low income communities still don’t have a computer and internet access at home.

Otangarei School is celebrating the achievements of families in their community who now have the skills and equipment to go on-line and participate in the digital world.

A representative from the national Computers in Homes team, Di Das, joined the celebrations in Whangarei to raise awareness of the programme and to encourage government and business to scale up their support.

Ms Das said NZ’s 2006 Census results reinforce the need for funding and support to establish and develop Computers in Homes into a national programme and policy.

“Thirty-six per cent of households with school-aged children are without the internet in the Whangarei District according to the 2006 Census. This compares to North Shore City, which has only 13 per cent of households without internet access,” Ms Das said.

“Whangarei is a priority region as the district ranks 54th for internet access out of 73 districts in NZ. Computers in Homes has helped to connect some of these Whangarei families but there are many more here and across the country who are waiting to be included,” she said.