DIGITS STORIES
Digits has grown since its inception and when it was identified from local census data that almost 22% of the school aged families in just one ward of Palmerston North were being significantly disadvantaged by being unable to readily afford internet access. Banking, government and learning services are more and more only being delivered by the web but corners of our ‘modern’ society were slipping further behind.
A group of like- minded individuals formed a working group with the vision of digitally enabling qualifying families with school aged children to have their own home technology which enabled whanau to leverage the social and educational benefits that technology offers. The Digits service was thus born.
Children Learning
My children are learning all the time and they now do everything online and being a mum with no training, I have been able to learn how to do things in word and to get my vaccination card, print it and change it to colour and I'm also writing stories. The children are confident and now teaching me. In the school holidays it has been good to be able to have devices.
At Tawhero school it's compulsory to bring your own device and it's been most beneficial instead of borrowing school property. I rate Digits 100%. It's affordable and if we have any problems I can come to you. With 4 devices required I would have had to get a loan and that is a hassle and I have been budgeting for 1 year. It's stress free and I feel a part of the group and have a good feeling with others. My whanau all love catching up with friends on messenger. They have even been researching holidays and where we can go on holiday. I am saving for this.
Love Digits
I rate Digits 100% as we have had prompt communication, you are reliable, and provide a great service. The children didn't have any idea how to use a device when they got it, they had only ever used a mouse and that was it. So they started as a 1 in confidence levels and now at a 7. They do all their programmes through school, all mathmatics, reading eggs etc. Access is essential for my children and the Seesaw programme. Once paid off she would like to offer her payments for another family.
The Difference
My son was the only child at Manchester that didn't have a device and you have no idea how much it has made a difference to him. He now feels a million bucks and I don't know whether you realise how it changes lives.
My son looks up things all the time and shares this with his parents. It is such a buzz for him and when he got the device he said it was the best day of his life and walking on clouds. I told him he needs to look after it for which he does and wipes it with a soft cloth. It took him a little while to get used to it and he had used a chromebook previously at Manchester Street School but they didn't have 1 for every kid. The school decile is high and some kids looked down on you if you don't have the flashest stuffed.
It has made such a difference for him and he felt stink with no device. In regards to internet safety she has a rule in the house and says to him that at any stage mum dad will check browsing history and they don't have any problems. We will always remember who we got a chromebook from.
Referral from WINZ
I saw a mum going to winz for a chromebook and they turned them down, but winz had suggested Digits which she had never heard about. Once she found us she said she found the process so easy, and Priyanka who took her son and her through the induction was lovely. W have never had any problems with the device and her son is using it for school, it is his favourite thing. He has now started at North Street school and only a few there own their Chromebook. He knows that mum had to pay it off and he told her how grateful he was and knows that mums struggle.
Our Story
Empower.
Our Story
What is Digits
Digits creates solutions to digital inclusion issues in the Manawatu. Digits provides struggling families with an affordable, refurbished Chromebook, an internet connection and free digital literacy tuition.
Parents and teachers tell us that Digits is both affordable and meeting an urgent need. One parent told us “Having a device for my child has meant she no longer has to share and is able to do her homework.”
Digits is a charitable trust (CC54480) and a collaborative city-wide effort to enable digital inclusion for 1,000 households with school-aged children in Palmerston North.
How does Digits help?
Digits helps people who need it most. As one parent said, “I can’t buy laptops at a store as I don’t have the cash and can’t get credit. So Digits works because $5 per week is the best deal…and with Digits we get to keep the laptops.”
What do families get?
Chromebook 11’ laptop with laptop cover
30 gigs prepaid data monthly
4G modem/router
Chromebook insurance and warranty for 12 months
Digital skills tutorials and support
What do families learn?
Empower.
Who’s behind Digits?
Bronwyn Ewens, Operations Manager
Kia ora Koutou, I am proud to work for Digits Charitable Trust as their Operations Manager. I have 20 years experience in community development, and I enjoy the rewards from helping community and seeing them thrive. I have been with Digits for over 5 years and are excited with the progress that has been made in our evolving organisation.
I have multiple skills and have worked with many cultures and embrace cultural diversity. I am a mother of 2 adult sons, 4 grandchildren and 1 more due in 2025 to add to our family. I enjoy the beach and travelling.
I look forward to helping the organisation grow and evolve as we continue to experience large numbers of families benefiting from Digits. It is important that our children have the opportunity to be connected digitally for their educational needs.
The Board
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Pat Debney Chairperson
Chairperson
Pat Debney is a huge fan of using technology to better enable the lives of others. With a long career in ICT management and a degree in strategic planning, Pat loves it when the equitable access to tools overcomes the constraints that disadvantaged families endure every day. Pat is a parent of three clever kids and is currently a contract manager working for a variety of local customers.
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Nic Mason
Manager
Nic Mason was the Digital Technologies network lead for the Palmerston North East Kāhui Ako during 2019. He also is a co-lead for #EducampPalmy, a free profesional development day for teachers, by teachers. Previously, Nic was a classroom teacher with a digitally enhanced classroom at Russell Street School. He is now the Principal of Winchester School, Palmerston North.
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Paul Gwynne
Board Member
Paul joined the Digits board in 2020. Paul owns his own local thriving business Smart Phone Repairs in Palmerston North. Paul is our researcher, troubleshooter and gives guidance with all things tech. Paul often voluntarily fixes broken devices for us, or makes us new devices from parts. Paul is a valued member of our Digits whanau.
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LIAM RUTHERFORD
Board member
Liam has been with Digits since its inception. He is very passionate about ensuring families are equipped with the tools they need for technology. Liam currently teaches locally in the Manawatu and has a young family.
Stories
News
DIGITS STORIES
Digits has grown since its inception and when it was identified from local census data that almost 22% of the school aged families in just one ward of Palmerston North were being significantly disadvantaged by being unable to readily afford internet access. Banking, government and learning services are more and more only being delivered by the web but corners of our ‘modern’ society were slipping further behind.
A group of like- minded individuals formed a working group with the vision of digitally enabling qualifying families with school aged children to have their own home technology which enabled whanau to leverage the social and educational benefits that technology offers. The Digits service was thus born.
