Joint venture to put Wellington City council residents on-line

About 450 residents at one of Wellington's largest council apartment blocks will have the opportunity to learn computer skills thanks to a dedicated computer room being set up by Wellington City Council and Fujitsu New Zealand.

Council and high-tech giant Fujitsu have teamed up to help bridge the Digital Divide by putting a computer room into Newtown Park Flats. The room will give residents free access to computer facilities and the Internet, training and ongoing support.

Mayor Mark Blumsky and Fujitsu New Zealand Southern Region General Manager Lawrence Russell have signed an agreement to launch the project, which Mayor Blumsky hopes will become a model for further initiatives in Wellington and beyond.

Under the deal, Fujitsu will donate and install 10 computers, a server, printer, software and Internet access, as well as providing office furniture and support from Fujitsu's helpdesk. The council will provide the room, and work with residents to set up training programmes and meet other operational needs. The computer room is expected to be operational by late June.

Mayor Blumsky congratulates Fujitsu for its initiative and community-mindedness. Residents who will benefit include school children, students, refugees, unemployed people and senior citizens, he says.

"Access to technology is a major part of participating in our community. People need to be able to use computers in today's increasingly high-tech world. We can't allow the digital divide to further develop between those who are part of the on-line revolution and those who are not.

"The Fujitsu Computer Room helps address this need by catering for people who would not otherwise have regular access to computers, or opportunities to learn high-tech skills. This project - and the underlying partnership between public and private sectors - is a great model for the future."

Fujitsu Commercial Manager Rob James says the company sees the computer room at Newtown Park Flats as a natural extension to its Partnering Programme with key customers, including Wellington City Council.

The idea came after Fujitsu approached council to explore opportunities to help it achieve its community goals. "Fujitsu was keen to help council with its vision for Wellington, while at the same time putting something back into the local community," Mr James says.

For further details contact:

Pete Barnao, Mayor's Office. Tel, 801 3109 or 025 249 4502
Rob James, Fujitsu. Tel, 495 0700