Thanks to Powerco’s recent technology upgrade, a collection of retired laptops and mobile phones has been given a second life – helping some of the Western Bay of Plenty’s most vulnerable community members build digital confidence and connection.

Through a partnership with digital inclusion charity Tū Mai Digital, Powerco has donated refurbished devices to support local digital literacy workshops, ensuring participants not only learn new skills but also have ongoing access to the tools they need to stay connected with whānau, services and the wider digital economy.

“Originally, their application to the Powerco Community Fund was financial support to deliver digital literacy workshops. However, through further conversations and engagements, we identified an opportunity to extend our support beyond funding alone,” Powerco customer general manager Stuart Dickson said.

“Following our recent internal technology upgrade, we were able to supply 10 refurbished laptops and 10 iPhones to the group. As a company, Powerco believes in supporting and giving back to the communities in which we operate.”

Dickson said donating these devices was also a sustainable way of extending the life of the technology.

“It also meant there were practical tools to sit alongside Tū Mai Digital’s training – ensuring participants not only learned new skills but had the equipment to continue building confidence at home.”

One of the workshops delivered supported kaumātua and kuia from Maketū.

Ten elders attended five training sessions delivered at the Maketū Community Centre, facilitated by Tū Mai Digital kaiwhakaako Kimi Katene.

As mature students, using modern technology is no easy task. Katene simplified each session, providing personal attention and walking participants step-by-step through setting up usernames and passwords, creating Google and Gmail accounts, navigating Word, Excel and PowerPoint-equivalent applications, and learning how to safely access the internet.

The sessions were described as a success, with participants expressing gratitude for Katene’s patience, clarity and willingness to go the extra mile. The refurbished devices have helped “open doors” of communication with whānau, tamariki and mokopuna – not just locally, but across Aotearoa and the world, the fund recipients say.