Having the Digital Revolution for Breakfast

Connected Nation's Vice President of Development and Planning, Chris Pedersen, discusses how we can close the Digital Divide during the Digital Revolution Breakfast in Dargaville, New Zealand

Dargaville, New Zealand (March 26, 2019) - The town of Dargaville sits along the west coast on the northern island of New Zealand. It's home to just a little more than 4,000 people and it's known for farming kumara. It's what Americans refer to as "sweet potatoes."

According to NewZealand.com, Dargaville has, in recent years, grown as a tourist destination.  It's become a jumping off point from "which to visit the unspoiled recreational paradise of the Kauri Coast." The fact that it's a rural farming community and now a tourist destination both highlight why an event held there this morning was so important.

The Digital Revolution Breakfast was hosted by World Learning and held at the Northern Wairoa War Memorial Hall in the town.  It featured Connected Nation's VP of Development and Planning, Chris Pedersen, and Valley Vision's project leader for Food and Ag Economy, Robyn Krock. Each discussed best practices and challenges when it comes to broadband adoption, access, and use.

Pedersen focused on how bridging the Digital Divide can help vulnerable populations and improve digital literacy, especially in rural areas, and how public-private partnerships can help communities.  Krock, meanwhile, discussed how increased access to broadband in rural communities can further educational, health, and profitability on farms.

As a farming community, and more recently, a tourist destination broadband expansion can help families and businesses in Dargaville not only survive but thrive. It connects them to new opportunities and gives them access to important information that can improve the quality of their lives.

This morning's event is part of a week-long exchange program dubbed "Getting Connected New Zealand Outbound."  The program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Office of Citizen Exchanges, was organized by World Learning.

The next stop is this evening in Wellington, New Zealand where the team will visit with Susan Niblock, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy followed by Digital Skills Conference tomorrow in the city.

Related Links:
March 25, 2019 - Greetings from New Zealand
March 12, 2019 - Connected Nation Taking its Mission of Digital Inclusion International