Internet2 Steering Group Report 01/02/02

Report Adopted by the Council Meeting of 01 February 2002

Report to Council from the Steering Group on Internet2

Following the Workshop held on October 16 a paper has been written to be used as a resource document in discussions with research and education institutions, government agencies, relevant Ministers in the Government, and other potential supporters. The paper proposes a Capability Study be undertaken as the next step towards the establishment of an advanced research and education network for New Zealand.

Neil James gave a presentation on Internet2 and Advanced Research and Education Networking to the Internet Industry Forum in late November.

John Houlker and Neil James talked with the NZ Vice Chancellors' Standing Committee on IT (which Neil Chairs) on 11 December.

Letters have been sent to the 'digital' Ministers, and to the CRIs, and several other research and research related organisations, enclosing the Paper, asking for their support, and offering to provide them a briefing. Replies have been received so far from the offices of the Marian Hobbs and Paul Swain, and from MoRST and HortResearch.

Simon Riley has met with Nick Bain of the DPMC (Department of the PM and Cabinet) and Simon and Neil have subsequently developed a one page 'Internet2' document for Nick. It is hoped that he may be able to facilitate opportunities for further briefings and communication within Government circles.

In February Neil James will be giving some more briefings to interested parties including:

1. a briefing at MoRST on Monday 4th February. They are inviting people from various Government areas. 2. meeting with HortResearch people in Palmerston North on the morning of the 7th February to brief them. 3. meeting with John Hood, Vice Chancellor at the University of Auckland (he has access to the Prime Minister knowledge society matters), either 11 or 12 February, and giving a talk to University of Auckland and Auckland University of Technology research people on the 13th February.

It is recognised that we should try to find a name for this project to avoid the use of the registered mark Internet2. The current suggestion is Reach NZ:

Research and Education
Advanced Communication Highway for New Zealand

Neil James Chair, Steering Group on Internet2