Internet Items
NZ Second Biggest Web User In World - http://www.internetworldstats.com/ - A compilation of figures on Internet World Stats website shows 76.3 percent of NZers (about 3.2 million people) regularly use the Internet. That's good enough for second place, just behind Malta, at 78.1 percent, and ahead of Iceland, Sweden and Denmark. Conversely, the country ranks near the bottom of the OECD (22nd out of 30) in high-speed Internet uptake.
Government Approves $43 Million for Super-fast Internet - http://www.morst.govt.nz/ - This Advanced Network will connect NZ universities and research institutes through a fibre-optics network that is 400 times faster than domestic broadband. The network will also provide a connection to international networks through links between NZ, Australia and the US. The Network is expected to be up and running by the second half of this year, and it will allow:
- researchers to share computing power and high-cost instruments, as well as rapidly download huge quantities of data;
- real-time videoconferencing and video-streaming to deliver course material and lectures at a distance; and
- NZ scientists to link into international networks, for example engineers, geologists and geophysicists will be linked to the international Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEESgrid).
MED Website. The government website at the heart of policy planning for a huge range of commercial laws and regulations, and the management of such critical areas of the economy as petroleum and minerals exploration, has been entirely overhauled. The redevelopment of www.med.govt.nz is part of a broader update of the Ministry of Economic Development's wider online presence and will be followed in the coming months by changes in other sites, including the Companies Office.
Electronic submissions on Bills before Parliamentary select committees will become possible later this year. The Office of the Clerk is aiming for a six-month pilot on submissions to the Justice and Electoral and the Commerce committees. Those making a submission will access a section of the Parliamentary website and either attach their submissions as a document, or type them directly into a web document. As with hard copy submissions at present, the electronic submissions will remain confidential to committee members and Parliamentary staff until released by the committee chairperson (generally after the committee has reported back to the House).
New Media Savvy Website - www.mediascape.ac.nz - The Mediascape website aims to be a tool for parents, children and students who are interested in becoming more media savvy. It will help people to make more informed and critical choices about media and is destined to become a key feature in our virtual and media landscapes. Developed by the NZ Broadcasting School - in partnership with the Broadcasting Standards Authority, the Advertising Standards Authority and the Families Commission - the website includes tips on media use for families along with information and advice on media content, and discussion on key issues. It also explains the broadcasting and advertising codes of practice and how to protest about content.
NZCCSS Website Completely Revamped - www.nzcss.org.nz - The new NZ Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS) website includes their latest news, more details on their work areas (children and families; housing and poverty; and services for older people) and easy to access Council publications. It also has links to NZCSS members, community sector colleagues and government agencies.
NZ Federation of Voluntary Welfare Organisations - www.nzfvwo.org.nz - The NZFVWO has a new website. Several new sections have been added including government reports and strategies, legislation, sector research and surveys and statistics.
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