Neil James

I have been associated with InternetNZ from its very beginning, having chaired the meeting in 1995 that led to the establishment of ISocNZ, and having served on the early Councils.

I have had a long and active interest in the development of computer networking starting in the 1970s, and moving on to early international networking developments. I had a key part in the establishment of the NGI-NZ Society and was its Chair. NGI-NZ, and the preceding Next Generation Internet Steering Committee of InternetNZ  (that I also chaired) worked towards the eventual establishment of KAREN, the advanced network for Research, Education and Information.

I have wide interest in the development and use of the Internet in New Zealand, and currently have a particularly interest in regional fibre developments, and would like to assist in promoting FTTh in New Zealand. Towards this end I am currently assisting the Dunedin City with its work in this area. I believe New Zealand has very often set its sights too low in communications network developments, and in consequence we find ourselves running to catch up with other countries. I also believe that there is an opportunity to base a lot of the necessary development around community involvement.

I have recently left full-time employment and in consequence have sufficient time to contribute to the work of InternetNZ, and would welcome rejoining the Council.

I am a Fellow of InternetNZ and a KAREN Fellow.