Executive Directors Report to Council Meeting 26 August 2006

Staffing

Council have been advised that Richard Wood has been recruited in the role of Communications and Research Officer, and will commence employment on 6 September. ISPANZ have agreed to partial funding of the research role, and Jordan and Richard will collectively undertake some specific research for ISPANZ in the future.

I am seeking to also recruit a further communications person, perhaps in a part time position, primarily to look after membership communications.

A great team effort has resulted in a huge amount of work being completed over the past couple of months, and I am delighted that we retain a good sense of purpose and humour despite the pressure.

ICT-NZ

Following on from Sean Weekes’ departure, I have been appointed to the board of ICT-NZ.

I attended an informal meeting of NZ Computer Society last week, and it appears there is some unrest from some of the NZCS membership in terms of their proposed engagement with ICT-NZ.

I will update Council at the meeting and look for feedback on some suggestions of possible methods of engagement.

TDRS / ICOP

I have been appointed to two of the Telecommunications Carriers Forum Dispute Resolution Process working groups, who are progressing drafting of their DRP. The project is growing in scale, with Internet and calling card aspects being drawn into.

ISPANZ

ISPANZ held their AGM at InternetNZ on 16 August with 16 member organisations represented. I spoke to their AGM on the shared research role, and on progress on the TDRS issue, and have sought feedback from ISPANZ as to how they consider our Code of Practice might fit with the TDRS.

Wireless / Broadband Forum

I have received a request for assistance / sponsorship from this group, for the staging of their forum in Auckland on 7 November. Dialogue is continuing.

NZBA

I have been appointed to the NZ Bankers Association “Net Fraud” group and mailing list, and between the DNC and myself, one of us will attend each of their meetings, which are held every 2 – 3 months.

Telecom “Kick off Broadband” Campaign

I was invited to attend this meeting, called by Telecom to discuss with ISP’s as to how the industry might progress LLU, Naked DSL and UBS in advance of the pending legislation. The meeting proposed that separate working groups be established under the TCF to continue dialogue with Telecom on these issues.

Radio Spectrum Allocation

InternetNZ held a consultation meeting (chaired by Jon Brewer) during July, and Jamie Baddeley put together a most useful summary of the views incorporating aspects pertinent to InternetNZ, for fining out by Nick Wallingford as INZ’s submission on the intended changes to the spectrum allocation rules. Nick, Jamie and I met with MED on 15 August to discuss our submissions, and in general MED appeared supportive and appreciative of our submission.

MED Peering Report

InternetNZ has been asked for input into the MED report on peering and Nick Wallingford will have completed drafting the report by the time of the Council meeting.

Voting Software / Returning Officers Report

The new voting software appeared to operate flawlessly for the AGM ballots, and myself (as Returning Officer) and Maureen Millburn (Independent Scrutineer) were able to satisfy ourselves of the integrity of the ballot.

Wairarapa Broadband Forum

Upon invitation from the Wairarapa Chamber of Commerce I chaired their broadband forum event on 26 July.

Annual General Meeting

The annual general meeting proceeded smoothly and continued the trends of recent years of being conducted in good spirits and no animosity.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee held its annual retreat for 2 days in early August and concentrated on aspects of the new Strategic Plan and new committees and working processes for the forthcoming year.

ICANN

Due to the tragic events for Peter Dengate Thrush in June, I did not attend the ICANN meeting in Morocco.

I have therefore yet to provide ICANN with copies of the Wellington meeting debrief report, although ICANN has received the recommendations pertaining to them from that report.

Liz Dengate Thrush Foundation

The generosity of so many people continues and the fund currently stands at $10,180, with other donations still being processed.

It would be appropriate to keep this item open until after the December ICANN meeting, where further pledges are probable.

I am not sure which budget the InternetNZ donation of $25,000 will come from, and it will in part depend upon the actual initiative selected for completion. I will begin discussions in the near future with Peter Dengate Thrush to start seeking to formalize the foundation, and evaluation of possible projects..

Membership

As at 31 July 2006 InternetNZ membership stood at , comprising the following:

Total last month end 194
Less Void / Resigned 1
Plus new members 4
-----
Total this month end 197

Recommendations:

1. That the Executive Directors report be received

2. (For discussion and consideration under the SRTF item on the Council agenda) “That should the SRTF be satisfied with due diligence, they be authorised to enter into final contract negotiations with the advised preferred Lead Reviewer”

Keith Davidson
20 August 2006