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Welcome to our free monthly e-newsletter, full of news and ideas for people involved with community groups.
Nau mai ki tā mātou ī-pānui ā-marama koreutu, kī tonu i te rongo kōrero me ētahi whakaaro mō ngā tāngata e whai wāhi ana ki ngā rōpū hapori.
The CommunityNet Aotearoa monthly newsletter.
"News and views on community networking throughout Aotearoa."
Get Pānui delivered each month to your mail-box! Subscribe online here.
Two new resources for community and voluntary groups have been published on CommunityNet Aotearoa. 'Honoa te hapori me te hapū ki te ipurangi - Getting your community and hapū online' is a resource for iwi, hapū and communities wanting to connect with their people, their country and the world by becoming more digitally literate. The resource includes case studies of successful digital initiatives, guidelines on how to set up a range of digital projects, and advice on how to manage a digital project. An updated edition of the Community Resource Kit has also been published. The Kit is a practical guide to setting up and running community groups in New Zealand, from small or emerging groups to more established organisations.
To access these resources visit: /how-toguides/
Prime Minister John Key has announced the creation of a new, single authority to provide leadership and coordination of the ongoing recovery effort in Canterbury. The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) will be established as a stand-alone government department to enable an effective, timely and co-ordinated rebuilding and recovery effort in Canterbury. CERA will have a lifespan of five years and its operations will be reviewed annually. "Rebuilding Christchurch and the wider region following the earthquakes is one of the government's highest priorities and we are committed to providing the necessary resources to make this happen over the coming weeks, months and years," Mr Key says. "CERA will support the Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Gerry Brownlee to get the job done, in close collaboration with local councils and local communities." CERA's establishment will be made effective by Order in Council and will be made complete by enabling legislation which will be introduced to Parliament in coming weeks.
/communitycentre/news/national/cera.htm
The initial earthquake support package for employers and employees is available now and the first payments will be in bank accounts by Wednesday says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett. "There is a lot of uncertainty over whether jobs and businesses will continue in Christchurch, so this measure will help ensure people can pay the bills for the next few weeks," says Ms Bennett. The six-week package includes the Earthquake Support Subsidy to help Christchurch based employers keep paying wages and the Earthquake Job Loss Cover is for employees who may not have a job to go back to. To apply online go to: http://www.workandincome.govt.nz . To apply by phone call: 0800 779997.
/communitycentre/news/national/quakepackage.htm
Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) is doing all it can to support the injured and those who have lost loved ones in the Christchurch earthquake, ACC Minister Nick Smith says. "Our unique no-fault ACC scheme provides certainty of entitlements for the injured and bereaved. These can include emergency care, medical treatment, rehabilitation in New Zealand and lump-sum compensation for the significantly injured and funeral and survivor’s grants for the spouse and dependents of the deceased – including for visitors to New Zealand. New Zealand workers are also entitled to income compensation," Dr Smith said. "People who are injured or who have suffered the loss of a loved one, can be assured that ACC has significant and sufficient reserves to meet the cost of all entitlements that will need to be funded as a result of this event." For those seeking information, ACC has a toll free calling number 0800 101 996 and website: http://www.acc.co.nz/making-a-claim/canterbury-earthquake/index.htm .
/communitycentre/news/national/quakeacc.htm
The independent New Zealand Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Commission has now been established to disburse the first emergency and hardship grants from the Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Appeal. The Chair of the appeal Commission, Sir John Hansen, announced the grant details following a meeting of the Commission in Christchurch. The Commissioners of the previous fund set up after the September 2010 Christchurch earthquake resolved that that fund be wound up and that any grants approved but unpaid would be paid immediately. The former relocation grant that the remaining funds had been earmarked for has been overtaken by the tragic events of last Tuesday. The balance in that fund of about $10 million will be transferred into this new fund, giving a total, as of now, of about $22 million. In announcing the grants, Sir John said: "The grants will be distributed fairly, transparently and in a timely manner. Cash is going to be vital in helping people rebuild their homes and lives. It will enable them to buy what they need most, and these purchases will help revitalize local economies." Two grants have been established: an Emergency and Hardship Grant and a Bereavement Grant. For more information visit: http://www.redcross.org.nz .
/communitycentre/news/national/emergencygrant.htm
Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia is thanking the many individual volunteers and communities that have assisted with the response to the Christchurch earthquake. "I have been so impressed with the way New Zealanders have come together to help each others in such trying circumstances including the many non-government agencies, fire, police, defence, local and international search and rescue personnel who have all been working together for the common good," says Mrs Turia. "I want to thank all of you that have stepped up during this time. I have watched in awe as you have descended on Christchurch from throughout the country and around the globe and set about ensuring people are getting everything they need to get through this crisis." Mrs Turia says organisations such as Ngai Tahu, Maori Wardens, Salvation Army, Rangiora Earthquake Express, Student Volunteer Army, the farmers’ army, Red Cross, marae throughout Aotearoa and many many more non-government organisations have really stepped up to help. "The generosity of spirit has been very humbling. There are so many unsung heroes that have acted selflessly during this crisis."
/communitycentre/news/national/turiathanks.htm
Darren Ward, CEO of disability organisation cbm New Zealand, says people with a disability who need help in Christchurch need to speak up. Mr Ward and a team of three experts in disability have spent the last five days in Christchurch helping to coordinate and facilitate relief for people with disabilities in the earthquake-devastated city. "We are seeing people with physical and intellectual disabilities who have been left to their own devices, not through cruelty or neglect, but because people and organisations are just overwhelmed." Christchurch's networks of disability service providers still exist and are reaching out to their constituents, Mr Ward says, but in this time of extreme crisis there is a need for additional coordination and communication capacity to connect individuals with specialised services. cbm is working to offer this support capacity. "If you are a person with a disability, or know a person with a disability who is in need of special assistance please call the Government's Earthquake Helpline on 0800 779 997 and alert the relief services to the issue," says Mr Ward.
/communitycentre/news/national/speakup.htm
The New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS) has set up a website - http://www.ngoupdater.org.nz - to provide a single place for Christchurch community organisations and NGOs to keep each other up-to-date. Once registered, NGOs can share information about their current location, operational status, assistance needs, offers of assistance to other organisations, or to contact colleagues working in the community and social services support area in Christchurch. More than 50 Christchurch organisations have already registered and entered information.
/communitycentre/news/national/ngoupdater.htm
Canterbury District Health Board has set up a website where messages of support can be posted for health workers involved in the response to the Christchurch Earthquake. "We’ve had many requests from health professionals and others, from all over the world, wanting to send messages of support to those at the frontline," says David Meates, Chief Executive of Canterbury DHB. "Health workers in Canterbury and around the country are doing an amazing job. They’ve been extremely busy since Day One and the support and acknowledgement of colleagues is really important. Many people have benefited directly from the efforts of our staff and often want a way to say thank you." The site is called AMOS – A Message Of Support - and can be accessed at: http://amos.org.nz .
/communitycentre/news/national/amos.htm
Academics across the University of Canterbury are developing a new 15-point community engagement course which it intends to offer to all University of Canterbury students and the wider community. It is anticipated that CHCH 101: An Introduction to Community Engagement will be offered in semester two and during 2011-2012 summer school. "The primary focus for the course is the theory and practice of community engagement," said University of Canterbury Vice-Chancellor, Dr Rod Carr. "There is a well-researched body of knowledge about community engagement techniques and practices that are more likely to be effective whether you are supporting a traumatised community, building consensus about medium-term plans or supporting established organisations. We can learn by studying the thinking and experience of others while at the same time creating new ways of engaging which reflect our special history, culture and circumstances. The academic component of the course will be delivered online. In addition, there will be a practical service learning requirement. Students’ course fees for CHCH 101 will be waived for those who undertake the practical service requirement of the course in the Canterbury region. Where course service requirements are performed outside the Canterbury region, students enrolled in CHCH 101 will be asked to make a donation to the UC Foundation to support research and teaching in service learning. More details about the CHCH 101 programme delivery will be released in the coming weeks.
/communitycentre/news/national/canterburyengagement.htm
The Lottery Community Sector Research Fund is now accepting Research Idea applications for the 2011/2012 funding year. This Committee considers applications from community organisations to carry out research and/or evaluation projects. Community organisations can either undertake projects independently or in partnership with a suitable provider. Eligible projects must help community organisations develop their research and evaluation skills. Preference will be given to applications that identify community needs and help increase community participation, cooperation and understanding. The application process for the Lottery Community Sector Research Fund has two stages. Applications to have your Research Idea considered close at 4 pm, Wednesday 4 May 2011. Applicants whose Research Ideas are selected by the Committee will be invited to submit a Full Research Proposal. Further information on the Fund is available at: http://www.cdgo.govt.nz .
/communitycentre/news/national/lcsrfund.htm
Auckland Council’s Social and Community Development Forum will turn its attention to the issue of homelessness at its next meeting on 3 March 2011. The existence of homelessness in Auckland is clearly a concern to many Auckland residents and the forum will invite many agencies who are involved with assisting the homeless, such as the Ministry of Social Development and Auckland City Mission, to be part of a discussion on how this issue can be addressed over the longer term. Auckland Council already has a Homeless Action Plan 2008-2013 which was developed with thirteen partner agencies. The action plan highlights complex social issues relating to homelessness and takes a coordinated multi-agency approach to helping move people into long term accommodation. The plan focuses on four key responses to reduce the prevalence of homelessness, which are: prevention, intervention, integration and independence services.
/communitycentre/news/national/akhomelessness.htm
Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga has launched Te Pae Tawhiti: Māori Economic Development, a major research initiative that aims to optimise Māori economic performance and growth. Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga (NPM) is a world-class Centre of Research Excellence hosted by The University Auckland. NPM conducts research of relevance to Māori communities and is an important vehicle by which New Zealand maintains its leadership role in global indigenous affairs. Over the next three years, Te Pae Tawhiti: Māori Economic Development aims to establish a Māori economic development framework using collaboration, investigation and engagement as a catalyst for change and economic growth. Informed by Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) the programme seeks to support the wellbeing of future generations, and the environment, of Aotearoa. It is expected that the research outputs will also inform policy development. Researchers from NPM will collaborate with Whakatane-based Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa and Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, the lead partner in the programme. The Wānanga’s Chief Executive Officer, Distinguished Professor Graham Smith, says the collaboration brings a range of strengths to the programme. Visit Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga: http://www.maramatanga.co.nz/ .
/communitycentre/news/national/maoridevelopment.htm
Wellington Airport joins forces with Wellington Community Trust each year to recognise voluntary organisations that do so much to make our community a better place. These awards provide a way for people in the community to say thank you, as well as allowing those within the organisation to nominate their group to receive a reward for all their hard work. Wellington Airport recognises the value of volunteers and their work in strengthening the community. The community awards are first held in the five council regions Kapiti, Porirua, Hutt City, Lower Hutt and Wellington city, then winners from these regions attend the regional award ceremony at the Wellington Airport. To nominate a group, fill in a short nomination form and send to the relevant local council coordinator. (All the details you need are on the nomination form). Download a copy of the nomination form at: http://www.wellington-airport.co.nz/html/business/community.php#awards . The closing date for nominations is Friday, 19 August 2011.
/communitycentre/news/national/airportawards.htm
Latest community news, events, jobs and ads are online at:www.community.net.nz/communitycentre/news.
Ngā rongo kōrero tino hōu, ngā whakahaerenga, ngā mahi me ngā pānuitanga kei te wātea ā-ipurangi i:www.community.net.nz/communitycentre/news.
ICT for a Better Future. Stepping UP is an ICT training programme targeted at parents who have graduated from Computers in Homes and others in their communities, encouraging them to 'step up' to further learning opportunities and enhanced job opportunities.
http://www.steppingup.org.nz/
Come along and laugh, and learn the joy of Laughter Yoga. A unique form of exercise, which uses laughter and breathing.
http://www.laughteryogabop.webs.com
To Write Love On Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery.
http://www.twloha.com/
Waitakere Ethnic Board (WEB) is an Incorporated Society that provides a voice for ethnic communities, empowering and enabling groups to share common interests and ideas while maintaining their own identity.
http://www.waitakereethnicboard.org.nz/
The Funding Information Hub is a place where community organisations operating in Waitakere can get free, on-the-ground funding information and practical support. Visit The Funding Information Hub at Waitakere Community Resource Centre, 8 Ratanui Street, Henderson.
http://www.communitywaitakere.org.nz/index.php/ourwork/fundinghub
The Canterbury Men’s Centre is vitally interested and involved in the well-being of men and boys in Canterbury. The centre offers drop-in and referral support, acts as an information portal and referrer for men wanting to access community services, and also works to identify the needs of men/boys and helps organisations set up relevant responses.
http://canmen.org.nz/
A campaign dedicated to calling attention to the need for non-profit organisations to stop sending unsolicited email. The blog contains useful information for any organisation that emails subscribers or is thinking about doing so.
http://nononprofitspam.wordpress.com/
New Kiwis links the skills of migrants with the needs of New Zealand employers. The site also hosts informational resources to help people overseas make an informed decision about living and working in New Zealand.
http://www.newkiwis.co.nz/
A network serving the community and voluntary sector organisations, its workers and volunteers, in Christchurch. The site enables groups to stay in touch and support each other through the time of recovery from the earthquake.
http://chch3.net.nz
The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) is the Public Service department established by the Government to work with the people of Canterbury to rebuild Christchurch and its surrounds.
http://www.cera.govt.nz/
You'll find these and more links at:www.community.net.nz/links.
Ka kitea ēnei i runga nei me ētahi atu hononga i: www.community.net.nz/links.
These Events are happening in the coming weeks. Find details at: www.community.net.nz/communitycentre/events.
Ka puta ēnei whakahaerenga ā ngā wiki ruarua e tū mai. Rapaina ngā taipitopito Whakahaerenga i: www.community.net.nz/communitycentre/events.
These Training events are happening in the coming weeks. Find details at: www.community.net.nz/communitycentre/training.
Ka puta ēnei whakahaerenga Whakangungu ā ngā wiki ruarua e tū mai. Rapaina ngā taipitopito Whakangungu i: www.community.net.nz/communitycentre/training.
These days more and more large files are being made available through peer-to-peer filesharing, also known as P2P, or BitTorrent.
How P2P works is that those who download files also send portions of the files to others.
It's all automated, so you don't have to personally press any buttons, but it helps distribute the load where huge files such as movies are concerned.
P2P doesn't work for all files: the person sharing the file has to set it up that way, and those who want to obtain the files have to use (free) BitTorrent software.
Examples of movies being released via BitTorrent are listed in the Pānui Tip, 'Peer to peer file sharing'.
If you'd like to try out filesharing you will need a fast Internet connection with good capacity for sending and receiving large files. Don't try this on dial-up.
Remember: you will be sending parts of files as well as receiving them.
First download and install some filesharing software. On the Mac, I use one called Transmission, which is also available for Unix and Linux. Windows users could try uTorrent or Vuze.
Then go to an appropriate source and click the Download Torrent link. For example, download an episode of the indie movie Pioneer One.
When you click a link to a torrent your filesharing software should open and start to download the file. If it doesn't, then identify the small .torrent file that has downloaded to your Downloads folder and double click it. That should start things going.
The download may take a while as the files are big — Episode 3 of Pioneer One is 1.21 Gb, for example.
As you download the file your P2P software will probably show you how your download is going, how many peers are sending you portions, and how many portions you are sending to others.
As I tested while writing this, my download was arriving from 41 of 59 peers, and I was providing portions of the file to 15 peers.
If you don't easily see that information check the software's menus and tools for a status display.
Remember to quit the software and so stop sharing the file once you've received the whole thing. While in some countries bandwidth is unlimited, in New Zealand it may prove very costly for you to continue sharing for very long. Sending portions of a file to others is using your monthly allocation just as much as receiving portions.
Peer-to-peer filesharing reflects the very spirit of community. As a method of sharing large files it works very well. As always, though, check that any files you download are being shared by those who have the legal rights to do so. And make sure they're from reliable sources that won't install malware on your PC.
Do you remember the good old telephone tree? If you needed to get news out quickly and efficiently you'd ring two people. Each of them would ring two and each of them would ring two in turn. Thanks to the power of doubling it would take only 10 'steps' to contact 2,000 people, and yet each person makes only two calls.
That's a whole lot easier, quicker and more efficient than one person trying to call 2000 all by herself.
In a similar way, peer-to-peer networking shares out the work of distributing large files on the Internet amongst a group of participants.
Suppose you've made a movie that you'd like to distribute. Let's say it's an hour long and in high-definition. The file could easily be several gigabytes in size.
The familiar way of sharing small files is that you put one copy on a server and everyone who wants the file connects to that server and downloads their own copy. You've probably done this with your organisation's Constitution, or photos of an event.
By the time a few dozen, or a few hundred, people have downloaded a huge movie file though you could be looking at paying your web host some serious money.
With peer-to-peer filesharing it works differently: you 'seed' the whole file on a BitTorrent server and include a special descriptor file that explains what the main file is.
Anyone who wants the file downloads, or 'leeches' it from the 'seed'. So far it seems the same as the familiar method of sharing.
But here it gets more interesting: as the 'leechers' download parts of your file, they also start to 'seed' or share those parts with others — their 'peers'.
That means that if I, for example, went to download the file I might get part of it from the original server, and other pieces from anyone else who had already downloaded it. It's no longer just the one server sending out the file, but everyone who has downloaded any part of it.
Just as with the telephone tree everyone is helping to send along information, though it's a two way process — they receive pieces from here and there and share the pieces they have.
These streams of data are called 'torrents' and the verb is sometimes 'torrenting'. You may also see the word 'BitTorrent'.
There are several current examples of this approach to sharing movies. The independent sci-fi movie called Pioneer is not only funded by viewer donations, but also shared via BitTorrent at a service called Vodo.
Paramount Pictures will distribute a movie called The Tunnel via torrents.
Another example is Zenith, an independent sci-fi thriller.
If you have seriously large files to share, think about using peer-to-peer file sharing.
Pānui tips contributed by Miraz Jordan, http://knowit.co.nz . Need help or advice about the Internet? Contact Miraz.
Past Website tips are all available on CommunityNet Aotearoa. Miraz also writes the Tech Universe column for the NZ Herald - it's published online every weekday at http://bit.ly/bGX7UY .
Nā Miraz Jordan i takoha ēnei Kupu Tohutohu, http://knowit.co.nz . Kei te pīrangi āwhina, tohutohu mō te Ipurangi? Whakapā ki a Miraz.
E wātea ana ngā kupu tohutohu i CommunityNet Aotearoa i: /links/monthlysite/ . He kaituhi hoki a Miraz i te wāhanga Tech Universe ō te NZ Herald - kei te tā ipurangitia ia rā mahi i http://bit.ly/bGX7UY .
In March, there were 56,082 visits (February 52,667).
I Poutū-te-rangi e 56,082 ngā manuhiri (Hui-tanguru e 52,667).
Last month, 59 new community items were published:
I tērā marama, e 59 ngā take hapori i whakaputaina:
Send in your free community notice or advertisement at:www.community.net.nz/about/submit.
Tukua mai tō pānui hapori, pānuitanga koreutu rānei i:www.community.net.nz/about/submit.
There were 8,844 files downloaded in March (February 7,204). The most popular file download in March was the Sample Board Policies from the Governance and Management How-to Guide (1,041 downloads). In February this was also the Sample Board Policies from the Governance and Management How-to Guide (941 downloads).
I tikiaketia ētahi 8,844 kōnae i Poutū-te-rangi (Hui-tanguru 7,204). Ko te kōnae tikiake tino kaingākau ko te wāhanga Tauira Kaupapa Here mō ngā Poari o te Kia-pēhea Aratohu Tikanga mō te Kāwana me te Whakahaere (1,041 ngā tikiake). I te marama o Hui-tanguru koia anō ko te wāhanga Tauira Kaupapa Here mō ngā Poari o te Kia-pēhea Aratohu Tikanga mō te Kāwana me te Whakahaere (941 ngā tikiake).
Find quarterly CommunityNet statistics at:www.community.net.nz/about/website/statistics.htm.
Kitea ngā tauanga CommunityNet toru marama i: www.community.net.nz/about/website/statistics.htm.
Remember: please forward the complete Pānui to others who'll find it useful. Tukua whakamua te Pānui katoa ki ētahi atu ka whiwhi painga i ana kōrero.
Nick Stanley, Web Content Writer.Nā Nick Stanley, Kaituhi Ihirangi Paetukutuku.
Subscribe (or unsubscribe) to CommunityNet Pānui at: www.community.net.nz/Pānui.
Whakauru, whakakorea te whakaurunga rānei ki te Pānui CommunityNet i: www.community.net.nz/Pānui.
Select one or more of:
Whiriwhiria kia kotahi neke atu rānei o:
Or email information@community.net.nz with the following details:
īmēra rānei:me ngā taipitopito e whai ake nei:
CommunityNet Aotearoa RSS Feed is available at: lists.community.net.nz/cna/wp-rdf.php.
E wātea ana te CommunityNet Aotearoa Whāngai RSS i: lists.community.net.nz/cna/wp-rdf.php.
Publish your news, jobs, events, training and adverts free at: www.community.net.nz/about/submit.
Pānuitia koreututia ō rongo kōrero, mahi, whakahaerenga, whakangungu me ō pānuitanga i: www.community.net.nz/about/submit.
Send Pānui articles and ideas with Subject "Pānui contribution" to: information@community.net.nz.
Tukua ngā tuhinga me ngā whakaaro mō Pānui me te Upoko "Takoha mō Pānui" ki: information@community.net.nz.
You are welcome to reproduce material from this Pānui provided you acknowledge the source, like this: "Reproduced from CommunityNet Aotearoa Pānui, April 2011, www.community.net.nz/communitycentre/Pānui".
E pai ana mātou kia tukuruatia e koe he rauemi o tēnei Pānui ki te mea ka whakaaetia e koe te mātāpuna, pēnei: "Reproduced from CommunityNet Aotearoa Pānui, April 2011, www.community.net.nz/communitycentre/Pānui".
Editorial policy for Pānui and CommunityNet Aotearoa is guided by an Advisory Group drawn from community organisations. Pānui and CommunityNet Aotearoa are published by Department of Internal Affairs, PO Box 805, Wellington 6140. Phone: 04 4957200. Email: information@community.net.nz.
Kei te whakahaeretia te kaupapa here whakatikatika mō Pānui me CommunityNet Aotearoa e tētahi Rōpū Kaitohutohu i kūmea mai i ngā whakahaere hapori. Kei te whakaputaina te Pānui me te CommunityNet Aotearoa e te Tari Taiwhenua, Pouaka Poutāpeta 805, Te Whanganui-a-Tara 6140. Waea: 04 4957200. īmēra: information@community.net.nz.
While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in this publication, the publishers accept no liability for any errors and omissions. Views and opinions expressed are those of the authors, not the publishers.
Ahakoa te tino whakauaua ki te tirotiro kei te tika ngā pārongo i tēnei whakaputanga, e kore ngā kaiwhakaputa e whakaae ki tētahi taunaha mō tētahi hē, aweretanga rānei. Ko ngā kōrero me ngā whakaaro kua whakapuakina, nā ngā kaituhi, ehara nā ngā kaiwhakaputa.