Over Halfway Through Project Milestones

Wanganui Computers in Homes passed the halfway stage of its 30 month project timeframe at the end of September.

It is exciting to have graduated 91 faimilies now. We are starting to get some very positive feedback.

UCOL Whanganui, our project partner undertook a telephone survey of families participating in the project. They found a high number reported it a positive, empowering experience. The survey coordinator noted “It became obvious to me during the course of the conversations that the Computers in Homes project had made a significant difference to the families involved”.

Schools are pleased to have families using their resources and being on school property. They have noted the enthusiasm of parents and their involvement in learning, strengthening of parent child relationships, improved child school achievements, and parents connecting to school in other ways, i.e. parent teacher associations, volunteering to help in classes and more informal consultation re school matters. One of the Dec 2006 Graduates from Kura Kokohuia has become teacher for the second class.

Our families recieve fantastic techical support from Ian Jamieson, Wanganui East Schools ICT support coordinator. Here is Ian at our latest graduation

View more photos - click on our new slideshow feature on the right side of our blog.

Wanganui District Council/Iwi Taskforce on Youth Wellbeing

The Wanganui District Council/Iwi Taskforce on Youth Wellbeing has been established to look at ways to target young people who will drift into anti-social behaviour not just because of their environment but because they do not have the skills and resources to break the cycle of disadvantage.

Click here to read the Council's news release.

Computers in Homes already is proving to be successful intervention as a mechanisism for familes to understand learning and schooling. The benefit is not just that they get computers and skills but also that the interaction and attention they pay to the computers is a platform for producing better realtionships.

It is great to see Deputy Mayor Dot McKinnon feature Youth Wellbeing in her River City Press Council Comment this week.

Our Taskforce is a fantastic opportunity to make a difference in our community to help at-risk people who want to break the cycle. Wanganui is lucky to have such a committed Council/Iwi and the Taskforce deserves plenty of support.

Software for Learning

It is exciting to see the range of software becomming available free or at low cost. New computer users are quickly learning the basic skills and are eager to expand them.

Wanganui Computers in Homes assisted facilitating a Software for Learning Workshop at Castlecliff School on 17 May 2007. This was for Wanganui's school prinicpals and teachers.

Presenters were Maureen Lambert, Senior Advisor, Ministry of Education (MOE) and Lyn Ross, Wanganui Schools ICT Cluster.

The session focused on the MOE's Software For Learning resource hosted at TKI

This is a fantastic reference for identifying good quality free or low cost software which can be used to expand users capability. All software featured have been evaluated by the MOE.

Wanagnui Computers in Homes families PC's have many of the programmes installed.

Here is a link to a shared document with some of the Open Source programmes which were covered in our session.

Wanganui Computers in Homes schools and families use Atomic Learning Software, an on-line multimedia trainiing site.

Graduations at Kura o Kokohuia & Wanganui East

Kura o Kokohuia held their first gradaution celebration for 22 whanau on Wednesday, 16 May. Student training was completed and their computers were installed at home in December 2006.



Kokohuia also features in this in-depth report by Merania Karauria, published in the Wanganui Chronicle on 24 May 2007.


Wanganui East School's second group of Computers in Homes families are begining to graduate. Here are 4 who received their computers on Thursday, 24 May.

Progress Reported at Wanganui East School

Wanganui East School has reported a number of positives from their Computers in Homes project. Here is a scan of a recent River City Press artcle describing their progress.

About Us

Wanganui’s Computers in Homes project was chosen to be supported by the NZ Government’s Digital Strategy Community Partnership Fund in June 2006.



The Wanganui District Council (WDC) is lead project partner. WDC Councillor, Sue Westwood is Chairman of our Steering Group.

The other members of the Steering Group are

* Sally Patrick, WDC Community and Cultural Manager
* Bob Dempsey, Wanganui Library, Wanganui Literacy in Employment Research Project
* Nygllhuw (Nigel) Morris, Wanganui Incorporated, Chamber of Commerce, KiwiWebs
* Di Das, National Computers in Homes Manager
* Laurence Zwimpfer, 2020 Communications Trust
* Craig Sharp, Principal, Castlecliff School
* Robin Paul, Principal, Wanganui East School
* Sharon Duff, Business Development Manager, UCOL

The Steering Group meets monthly and members contribute their strong local community support management experience. A comprehensive Project Governance Terms of Reference has been developed by the Steering Group.

Our Project Partners are

UCOL Whanganui provides pathways to further learning and is committed to helping our families/whanau succeed in life.

The 2020 Communications Trust manages the National Computers in Homes programme and provides strong support to Wanganui.

The Watchdog Corportation is our project's Internet Services Provider. Watchdog ensure our families/whanau can connect to the internet as safely as possible and offer participating families heavily subsidised connection rates.

Microsoft supports Computers in Homes by providing software and through its UPLIFT Community Affairs Programme.

55 Families receive computers to use at home in December 2006

During December 2006, 55 families/whanau received their computers to use at home. Here are photos of our graduating students and families:

Wanganui Computers in Homes Launch Celebration

Our launch was celebrated on 2 November 2006. We were hosted by Castlecliff School with a magnificent powiri and afternoon tea.

Below, L-R, Glen Adams, Teacher, Aranui School, Jill Pettis, Member of Parliament, NZ Labour Party, Mary Dean, Teacher, Castlecliff School, Sally Patrick, Community and Cultural Manager, Wanganui District Council, and Alistair Fraser, Project Coordinator.

Sharon Duff, Business Development Manager, Wanganui UCOL and Hon. Tariana Turia, Minister of State, Maori Party of Aotearoa.

Chester Borrows, Member of Parliament for Whanganui, National Party and Craig Sharp, Principal, Castlecliff School.