A Western Bay project to help those who are digitally excluded from society will receive $25,000 from BayTrust to support more locals with free internet connections, devices and training.

Tū Mai Digital is also seeking public donations of old laptops, smartphones and other digital devices that can be wiped, refurbished and handed on to those in need so the project can scale up this year.

An estimated 10 per cent of all New Zealanders don’t have access to the internet which hinders employment and education opportunities, and makes it harder to access essential services like banking and government departments.

Tū Mai Digital’s Inclusion Coordinator, Brett Bailey, believes the rate of digital exclusion is higher in the Western Bay than the national average, and the current cost of living crisis is making the problem worse. “The cost of living is impacting everybody. If you’re making a decision whether to have the internet running or put food on the table, some families are making that hard choice because they can barely keep afloat.”

Tū Mai Digital is the collaborative brainchild of different community organisations and providers including SociaLink, Mercury Energy, Western BOP District Council, Katikati Community Centre, Accessible Properties, Families Achieving Balance, Poutiri Wellness Centre and Huria Trust. It officially operates under the umbrella of Poutiri Trust.

“When COVID hit, we became aware there was a whole group of people that were hugely disadvantaged by being locked down,” Brett explains. “They had no internet so couldn’t access banking or shopping or education. So we felt it was a good idea to run a pilot and see if connecting families and providing laptops and training would be of any benefit.”

Te Puke has been a core focus areas but Tū Mai Digital is available to anyone in the Western Bay who is disadvantaged by digital exclusion.

Some families only have access to one cellphone between many people, while others simply can’t afford to pay for internet access let along digital devices.

Many older people don’t feel confident using smartphones or laptops and need training on the basics of how to use them.

The $25,000 grant from BayTrust will now be used to help cover operational costs so Tū Mai Digital can expand and get more families connected.

“There are plenty out there who need help so this grant is absolutely huge for us. We’re so grateful for any help we can get. And this is a big grant – it will keep us going for months. We run on the smell of an oily rag and these grants are crucial to the life of an organisation like ours.”

BayTrust CEO Alastair Rhodes says Tū Mai Digital’s model of working with community partners such as social workers to identify those who need digital help and training, was proving very successful.

“They are leveraging those trusted relationships that already exist in the community to target help where it’s needed most. Many New Zealanders take internet access and digital devices for granted but the social cost and isolation of not having them is huge.”

BayTrust believes communities will flourish when they are equitable and everyone has access to opportunities – whether that be education, employment, social or otherwise.

“I encourage any local businesses who are upgrading their technology, or anyone with an old laptop or iPad they no longer need, to get in touch with Tū Mai Digital and donate to this important kaupapa.”