Internet in NZ History

(Links to Strategy 2: Advocacy and Public Policy)

Project Sponsor: Frank March

Staff Support: Susi Fookes

Project Status: Complete

Project Description:

This project aimed to collect and disseminate information that captured the history of the Internet in New Zealand.

Council meeting of 29 Oct 2004 records the resolution:

• “THAT Council approve up to $25,000 of the 2004/05 projects budget be set aside for publishing a history of the Internet in NZ”.

• “THAT Council authorise the Executive Committee to sponsor the history project, and for the Executive Committee to call for proposals from interested parties”.

Project Budget:

$35,000 was budgeted for the Internet in NZ History project in 2008/09.

Overall Progress Summary:

InternetNZ commissioned journalist Keith Newman to write the History of the Internet in New Zealand.

Martin Taylor from Addenda printing press was contracted to publish the book.

The book is complete and has described by those who have seen it as highly credible, readable, accurate and well thought out.

It was published by InternetNZ both as a paper book, and online in a Wiki format, the latter being for the public to be able to contribute to keeping it up to date over time. It was launched in co-junction with the book.

Conclusion:

The project was very differcult to scope, resulting in Council approving it to run over budget and time. Council, members and staff are very pleased with the high quality of the book and are glad that the additional resource was invested.

The project is complete, the only work left is to issue members with a copy of the book and to work with the publisher on reprinting (if any) needs. The wiki site will be continued and maintained by the InternetNZ communications team.

9/10

Project History:

October 2008:

• Discussions with publisher regarding the need (if any) for a reprint.
  

September 2008:

• Distribution of InternetNZ's book stocks began.
  

August 2008

• 21 August - Book launch at the National Library
  

• Set up history project wiki - nethistory.co.nz

July 2008:

• Book launch planning
  

June 2008:

• Began plans for book launch.

May 2008:

• Sent to printers.
  

April 2008:

• Finalised details for publication.
  

• Worked with a graphic designer on the book covers.
  
• Date for publication set – 21 August.

January - March 2008:

• Continued work with publisher.

• Cover art commissioned.

September 2007:

• Writing complete.

• Editing and layout began.
  

July 2007:

• Chapters 7 - 17 complete.

April 2007:

• First chapters complete.

November 2006:

• Writing and researching for the project began.

September 2006:

• Keith Newman commissioned as author.