Speech: Hon Tariana Turia, Computers in Homes - Pomare School

I want to thank Chris Worsley, your School Principal, and members of the Board of Trustees whom we have been told have been supportive of the programme.

It is, most appropriate, that we are here today, in Maori Language Week, considering the theme of manaakitanga.

Manaakitanga – literally the mana of the people – is a concept which is just as applicable to Computers in Homes as any event in our life, in that it relates to the concept of working together, sharing and learning from one another.

I refer to the wisdom of Matua Whatarangi Winiata which tells us that manaakitanga is:

“behavior that acknowledges the mana of others as having equal or greater importance than ones own, through the expression of aroha, hospitality, generosity and mutual respect. Displaying manaakitanga elevates the status of all, building unity through the humility and the act of giving”.

In many respects – what I see happening with Computers in Homes – and what I know is consistent with my experiences in this community of Pomare – is exactly what manaakitanga represents.

It is about coming together, to share our talents and expertise, to engage in a love of learning, to support each other in our journey,

And so I want to also make mention of some of the people who have come to celebrate and recognise your journey – and to once again experience the manaaki of the people of Pomare:

. Di Das, National Computers in Homes Co-ordinator
. The tutor and technical support, John Tiaki
. Parliamentary colleagues Chris Hipkins; and Paul Quinn and from
. Lower Hutt Council - Ray Wallace (Mayor), and his councillors, Gwen McDonald and Angus Finlayson.

All of us have been made welcome by you – the graduates, the whanau, whom we come to honour tonight.

I always recall my first visit to Pomare in the 90s when Peter Glensor was establishing the local community health service just ten minutes walk from here. We were welcomed with open arms, and ushered inside to sit onto the couch (which we promptly fell through!)

The Pomare Community House became a large and busy centre - with a health service, endless community meetings, programmes for all ages, and an affirmation of the dignity of every person who walked through their doors.
The Pomare I see today reminds me of that time – and this community continues to impress me with your resilience and your spirit of innovation.

As just one example - a quick Google search of your school revealed to me that last year the Rotary Club completed a gardening project a Pomare-styled DYI makeover.

I hear that another big focus for Pomare School has been literacy. And that Pomare was one of the very first schools to start participating in the Books in Homes scheme.

When we talk about the reason I am here today - Computers in Homes - we are talking about a new 21st century kind of literacy – digital literacy.

All the evidence shows us that those who are digitally literate and connected have more tools to participate in the economy, access educational opportunities, and access online government and other services. It goes without saying that digital technology is filtering into every aspect of our lives.

Thinking about this week - Te Wiki o te Reo Māori – Māori Language Week - you would be amazed what technology is doing to help us strengthen te reo.

For instance, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu have announced they are launching a new online resource called Destination Reo. This is an online mapping tool that allows users to quickly find te reo Māori services, learning opportunities and events nationwide, even worldwide. It will help provide answers to everyday questions like

· “My baby is sick. I want to go to a doctor who can pronounce her name. Where are all the reo Māori speaking doctors?”

· Or “I have just moved to this town and want to keep up my reo Māori studies. What's available?”
This is but one example of how technology can help us create strong and resilient communities.

Technology is out there, but it is up to each of us to make the most of the opportunities made available by technology – and that is why I congratulate each of the graduates today for having the courage to take the technology challenge and participate in this Computers in Homes programme.

Statistics show an estimated 20-30% of New Zealanders do not have access to digital technology. This includes people living in rural and isolated areas; Māori, Pasifika peoples and other ethnic groups; people on lower incomes; people with disabilities and older New Zealanders.

This is why this programme is so great – it helps these families get connected and know how to make the most of the technology available to them.

Parents are getting up to speed with their kids who are rapidly tearing off down the technological highway.

The stories I am told reveal that the benefits that Computers in Homes bring doesn’t stop with whānau and in the home.

It’s just so exciting when I hear about these new skills being transferred into marae and community organisations. It proves than when we strengthen the family, we strengthen the whole community.

There is a whakatauki –
tangata ako ana i te whare,
te turanga ki te marae, tau ana

This tells us that a person who is taught well at home, will stand strong on the marae / in the community.

It is a concept that applies equally well whether it be Whanau Ora, or whether it be Computers in Homes. It reminds us all that the best learning we can ever hope for, is the wisdom we gain from the mouth of our babes or from the looks of our kuia. It is about reading the world, understanding what motivates us, what gives our life meaning.

And the wonderful thing about Computers in Homes, is that the computer just becomes another means of practising and promoting excellent communication with one another.

I believe so much in this programme and a complementary programme called Computers Clubhouse that I managed to secure additional funding of another $3.3 million dollars over three years for community based initiatives to increase digital literacy and connection.

This new funding builds on the $8.345 million I announced at last year’s budget – the funding which I understand has resulted in your programme here.

Finally, I want to congratulate the eleven parents, and the whanau who have made it possible for this programme to be such a success.

Everything I am told about your participation in this programme – the laughter that has rung out; the ways in which the ones with knowledge have given their tautoko to those who are just starting out – the emphasis on whakawhanaungatanga – just give me even more reason to acknowledge you all; and to congratulate you all for your success and your achievement.