Council By-Election Nominee - Rodney Prescott

Nominee for Council By-Election 2007-2008;

Rodney Prescott

Hi, my name, for those that have not had the opportunity to meet me over the years, is Rodney Prescott. I have been involved with IT in New Zealand for over 20 years and with the Internet for over 10 years. I was on the first council of InternetNZ (ISOCNZ) and more recently have been on Council as a Councilor. I am a graduate of Massey University with a BBS, majoring in Information Systems.

I am now standing for the role of Vice President, a role that I believe I can contribute considerably to, with experience, global communications industry contacts and a passion for the Internet. I have senior management experience, as well as a good understanding of governance and the operation of the society. I also have a strong technical background, which I believe can complement the excellent team at InternetNZ.

I am passionate about the Internet and the need for its ubiquitous nature to be encouraged. I believe that the Internet needs to be maintained as freely available to all, as an uncapturable resource for all of New Zealand, not for control and domination by one interest group. This extends in a global sense to cover the concept of a global Internet community available to the community of nations.

I am a strong supporter of regional development and the role of the knowledge economy hence the critical role that the Internet plays in the potential growth for New Zealand.

InternetNZ has grown and matured into the task of meeting the objectives that the society has in it’s founding charter. The society has been very successful in dealing with domain names, more recently with government and other professional organisations or interest groups. Huge amounts of effort have been undertaken by member volunteers, both those on council as well as general members, and the secretariat.

The next year has a host of issues and areas that the society will need to be actively involved with. Areas that I see as critical are:-

1. Broadband in New Zealand, with New Zealand steadily dropping down the ranks in the OECD for broadband usage and service, critical as part of the continued growth of the Internet. This will mean following up on some excellent work that has been undertaken regarding UBS, the NGI and the Digital Strategy with Government, and ensuring InternetNZ and its members opinions are heard, as well as sought out by various parties.

2. Membership, an area that I believe I can assist in broadening our membership, as well as enhancing the rich nature of the existing membership.

I am keenly aware the responsibility the role of Vice President has, and know that I bring a depth of understanding of the technical issues, as well as strategic, operational and governance skills. I am passionate, articulate and have a wide range of industry contacts, both nationally and internationally. I aim to represent InternetNZ effectively. I am committed 150% to the role and will fulfill the role by serving InternetNZ and its members, with a passion and integrity that the role requires.