Mini-conference, Kaitaia 24th September 2003

Speaker Details

Presenters at the cyber-hui will include:

Fred Alvarez
For 20 years Fred Alvarez has grown his computer skills in one-way or another. Fred's experience has been in self-employment, working corporately, with public entities and training home users one-to-one. Fred has a vast knowledge of computer and information systems, from hardware and software troubleshooting to building a PC from scratch. Fred is currently employed by Te Runanga O Te Rarawa. Initially the Runanga engaged him as a consultant; he is now IT Team Leader and consequently involves the total communications systems of the Runanga. Te Rarawa's website - a magnificent work is obviously his baby. Fred will demonstrate how technology, computers and information systems have ?quantum leapt? Te Runanga O Te Rarawa into the 21st Century.

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Peter Mansfield
Peter Mansfield is a Senior Lecturer in Multimedia at the Auckland University of Technology within the Communication Studies Department, part of the Arts Faculty. The Multimedia School is presently experiencing unprecedented growth because of it's internationally respected profile and attracts students from all over the world to graduate with this prestigious degree major.

The human process of communication through Video, 2D/3D animation, audio and graphics has new challenges of delivering future content via WAP phones, handheld devices, interactive digital TV, DVD, as well as mobile variations of the internet. Peter is a conduit to facilitating our understanding of uses of these technologies.

Peter's particular specialty is E-Learning (on-line learning) using multimedia from an instructional design perspective delivering CBT (computer based training). As part of the AUT's Learning Technology Advisory Committee he is a contributing driver of the University into E-Learning and supports the concept of lifelong learning. For 2003 half of his time will be spent as "Instructional Design Advisor" teaching fellow lecturers across the whole of AUT. Recent projects undertaken with senior students have seen forays into the new technologies of interactive DVD/TV; 3D virtual Cybermarae, Live Video Webcasting, CBT modules involving Kohanga Reo, NZ Sign Language, OSH training etc. He has entrepreneurial startup skills from previous successes in marketing, consultancy after many years in corporate life managing successful profit centres with up to 50 staff

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Stephen Blyth
As the Project Manager for CommunityNet Aotearoa Stephen Blyth is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the maintenance and development of the website. He also works on policy and projects related to community organisation use of the Internet and IT for the Community Development Group at the Department of Internal Affairs. Prior to working at the Department, Stephen worked for the environmental umbrella group ECO (Environment and Conservation Organisations of NZ), and was editor of the University of Canterbury Student Association newspaper CANTA.

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Robyn Kamira
Robyn has been an IT practitioner for 13 years, developing software, training, managing and strategising for a number of Iwi/Maori and Government projects through her company Paua Interface Ltd [www.pauainterface.com]. Robyn's recent international experiences have begun to reveal the state of ICT developments around the world - and has shed light on the position of Maori on the world scene.

Robyn Kamira BSocSci (CompSci/Maori), PGDip (Mngt Systems) is of Te Rarawa and Te Aupouri Descent and is currently Director of Paua Interface Ltd and is a Founding Trust Member of Te Waka Wahine Wa-Hangarau - Society for Professional Maori Women in Information Technology

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Richard Katipa
Has spent 17 years teaching; mainly on the East Coast. Including 10 years as Deputy Principal at Te Waha O Rerekohu Area School in Te Araroa. Richards Iwi: Te Aitanga a Mahaki/Ngati Porou. Richard is married to Hera Henare, (named by her grandfather George Henare after his mother Hera Henare, nee Subritzky). Richard and Hera have three children Marara 19, Roimata 17, Hori 10.

Richard has been working for Te Runanga o te Whanau(a Apanui) for the last three years, developing Cyberwaka. Started as Cisco Regional Networking Academy. He has set up six academies around the North Island in Opotiki, Gisborne, Whakatane, Auckland and Wellington. Cyberwaka has also become a channel partner for Thomson NETg and sell a huge range of over 1700 IT and business courses. We have also developed one day computer training courses for small businesses and community groups. These can be delivered anywhere,through the use of a portable computer lab networked using new wireless technology.

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Jan Symington
Jan Symington is the Relationship Manager (ICT) for the Community Employment Group. Responsible for implementing the government's Connecting Communities strategy
(for more information see www.ceg.govt.nz/connectingcommunities).

Jan has been a community development worker for the past 18 years and has extensive experience of working with Black British communities and women's groups to regenerate poor neighbourhoods in London, Rochdale, Brighton and Burnley. Jan has been involved with community technology projects for the past 5 years and has set up a number of community information networks in the north west of England. Jan will be presenting a community visioning tool at the conference.

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Hone Harawira
Hone began his community development work while still living in Otara, through the Kokiri Programme of the 1980's, and helped to build the Aupouri Ngati Kahu Te Rarawa Trust and then the Aupouri Maori Trust Board, after returning home. Hone and his wife Hilda, were also foundation parents of the Aniwaniwa Kohanga Reo, which has grown to now include the Kura, the Wharekura, and now Te Wananga o Te Rangi Aniwaniwa as well. Hilda is the current principal, and Hone is the chairman.

Hone is currently CEO of 3 radio stations that he helped to build in the Far North, and hopes to have a local TV on air before the end of the year. Hone and his wife have 5 children, 2 mokopuna, and too many relations to count. They are both active paddlers with the Rangaunu Sports Club, and Hone has also been involved in the running of the Far North and Northland Rugby League.

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Ngahau and Debbie Davis
Ngahau - Ngati Manu & Kohatutaka,
Debbie - Ngati Pahauwera, Ngati Kahungunu

Ngahau was born and bred in Moerewa and has returned home with his wife Debbie and their 4 children after an absence of 15 years. Ngahau has 20 years of Youth experience; in Inner City Wellington, South Auckland and Moerewa. This background is of huge significance, and has taught valuable lessons about appropriate, sustainable community owned models from a Maori rural perspective. For 10 years Ngahau has focused strongly on Community Development and Empowerment his passion for this work is evident; he speaks at local, regional and national levels about rebuilding communities and community spirit, his depth of understanding of this often, touches peoples hearts, and teaches practically about the need to understand a Community's reality of "where they are at" not where Agencies want them to be. This has meant interagency Collaborations to rebuild services and infrastructures eroded over a period of 20 years.

Debbie completed a Community Development paper at Massey University in the 1980s and went on to work for 5 years in the Te Kohanga Reo Movement, and in the establishment of a Piripono, one of Aotearoa's first 5 pilot Kura Kaupapa Maori. Debbie also worked in Personnel Management. Debbie's recent work has primarily been building the organisational capacity of He Iwi Kotahi Tatou Trust in the contract management area, negotiating for financial viability to provide resources for community initiatives. The reality of this aim has seen the development in Moerewa of 5 Community Owned Enterprises, in premises previously derelect. Debbies passion is computers she was a participant at the first Flaxroots Conference in 2000 at Wellington. Debbie has been actively working to close the Digital Divide in her community. Debbie believes ICT can and will level the playing field for rural communities, the challenge is the players involved to realise this.

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