It is also a founding member of alliance
The Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) has teamed up with Arataki Systems, 360 Tautua Trust, and Digital Seniors to provide more New Zealanders access to face-to-face learning to lift their digital skills.
Read more: BNZ spots 12,000 abusive online transactions over six months
“Our BNZ research shows one in five adults lack the essential digital skills to safely use everyday online tools to participate in today’s digital economy,” said Victoria White, BNZ head of digital adoption. “That’s a huge number of New Zealanders who are missing out on the benefits of being online, such as online banking, booking appointments, ordering groceries, or staying in touch with loved ones, all of which we know leads to improved financial, productivity and wellness outcomes.”
The research also found that more and more Kiwis are falling victim to scams, and that people who lack essential digital skills are more at risk.
Read next: More Kiwis falling victim to scams – BNZ
“More than ever, people need digital skills to fully participate in our economy and society, and the longer we leave it, the harder it will be for them to catch up,” White said. “That’s why we’re thrilled to be partnering with established organisations who are already doing a fantastic job lifting digital skills in our communities and are focused on those most in need and at risk of digital harm, especially seniors, Māori, and Pasifika. Investing in digital skills is just one of the ways BNZ is working to create a better future for our communities.”
“We’re excited to partner with BNZ on what we know to be important mahi (work) in empowering and upskilling our Marae trustees and Marae around the motu (country),” Arataki Systems CEO Lee Timutimu said. “Working with BNZ will be a great fit because they can share their expertise and insights in relation to online banking and online safety, both of which are topics we cover off in our Marae Matihiko digital marae literacy programme.”
“BNZ’s support has come at a critical growth point for Digital Seniors with our national expansion,” Digital Senior’s CEO Cathy Hardinge said. “With BNZ’s support we feel confident in our growth journey ahead to help other communities to support and empower their senior’s wellbeing and prosperity. Ultimately our partnership will make greater inroads to turn around New Zealand’s digital exclusion of seniors.”
“Our partnership with BNZ will enable us to continue the work we’ve been doing in our community to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve,” said Romana Fetu, 360 Tautua Trust founder and director. “It will also allow us to extend our reach to all parts of Aotearoa, particularly hard-to-reach, disadvantaged pacific families.”
White said BNZ takes pride in becoming a founding member of the Digital Boost Alliance, a collaboration between business and government to help drive digital acceleration across Aotearoa New Zealand.
“As part of the alliance, we have committed $600,000 to support face-to-face digital skills training with the aim of sharing our learnings and delivering a proven training model to the Digital Boost Alliance that other partners can easily adopt and scale for the benefit of all New Zealanders,” she said.
