Behind the Bytes: DECA’s September Update

Welcome to the September edition of our new monthly update on what’s happening in the DECA world.  Much of this happens behind the scenes, some initiatives take weeks or months to get off the ground and we are conscious we are often heads-down doing the mahi and forget to share. 

What we’ve been up to

• Research Catalogue Project
  Last month, we mentioned that we would be kicking off a project to achieve three things:

  1. Understand the research landscape in Aotearoa to identify gaps.

  2. Identify international research that New Zealand initiatives can reference in funding applications and information sharing.

  3. Identify international research we should consider commissioning in a New Zealand context.

  Well, we’ve kicked this off and have engaged the lovely Tom to undertake this mahi. He will start in earnest during October. If you come across any interesting reports that we haven’t catalogued on our website, please share them via kiaora@digitalequity.nz. In a few weeks, we’ll be sharing a working Google Sheet that everyone can update moving forward.

• Affordable Connectivity
  We are working with several social impact initiatives in the affordable connectivity space and developing a mechanism for anyone keen to donate towards an internet connection for a whānau in need. Once this framework is developed, we will circulate it for feedback.

• Long Term Insights Briefing
  The Ministry for Culture and Heritage is seeking submissions on their Long Term Insights Briefing topic: How will digital technologies change the way New Zealanders tell their stories in 2040 and beyond? So far, we have been assessing their request and questions and are shaping how to consult with all of you as a community, so we can develop a collective submission. You can find their consultation information here.

Upcoming Activities

• Mapping the Ecosystem
  We will be working with InternetNZ on this initiative moving forward, which is fantastic.

• Impact Assessment
  In October, we will commence a project to develop an impact assessment framework, leveraging existing frameworks and those used in other countries or industries. Many of you have identified this as a pressing need. First, we will build the data model for self-service analysis of your own organisation. Then, we will develop a presentation framework. We will be looking for willing participants to test this as we work through it and provide feedback.

• Zero Data
  In recent months, we have initiated Zero Data community support mechanisms on the West Coast and in Te Tai Rāwhiti. In October, we will be working with regional partners in Tāmaki Makaurau. If you would like to share Zero Data information with your community, you can find a set of resources here.

• Rangatahi-led Kaupapa and Mahi
  With funding commitments in place, the next steps involve identifying how DECA can best support rangatahi-led kaupapa and mahi.