Digital Exclusion and New Zealand’s Tech Future

Melissa Lee July 16, 2021 Share

This month the Citizens Advice Bureau and a cross-section of the New Zealand community from around New Zealand arrived at the steps of Parliament to deliver a Petition calling on the Government to sort out digital exclusion.  

Frankly, this government has been completely off the curb when it comes to real and high-quality delivery of digital solutions and support for digitally excluded New Zealanders. Over the summer, with barely any direct consultation (although plenty of longwinded documents were uploaded on their website which few outside the beltway have read) the government withdrew support for the telecommunications devices of deaf and hard of hearing New Zealanders. This left many vulnerable and stranded with new technologies mostly managed via apps they could not understand

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Melissa Lee's July Update

Melissa Lee July 14, 2021 Share

Hi Everyone!

As we head into the heart of winter remember to be ready for any situation. Around New Zealand we have been facing flooding, tornadoes and heavy swells out at sea over the past month and it is vital we are all prepared in an emergency.

Now is a great time to update your Civil Defence kits so in any emergency you can get ready and get through!

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Minister not plugged into community signal struggles

Melissa Lee June 22, 2021 Share

Minister not plugged into community signal struggles

It is unacceptable that a town just 10 minutes from Greymouth has such poor digital connectivity that they are not able to even receive Civil Defence warnings, National’s Digital Economy and Communications spokesperson Melissa Lee says.

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Melissa Lee's Winter Update

Matthew Stephens May 31, 2021 Share

Hi Everyone!

Winter has definitely set in around New Zealand with floods, heavy rain and chill winds sweeping the country, particularly households across Mid Canterbury in Selwyn and my thoughts go out to all those who have had to evacuate their property in recent days due to rising river waters. Please make sure to keep safe, wrap up warm and look after yourselves and your families!

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Melissa Lee's Pre-Budget Update

Matthew Stephens May 15, 2021 Share

Hi Everyone!

With the Budget only a few days away and so much going on in Parliament and around our Country I wanted to drop a line to tell you about a few things going on in my portfolios and around New Zealand. It's getting colder now with frost on the Parliament Lawn so make sure to wrap up warm!

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Melissa Lee's March Update

Matthew Stephens March 18, 2021 Share

Hi Everyone!

It's been a busy few days in Parliament as we get back in business now NZ is back at Level 1 around the country. This past week I've been tackling the big questions with RNZ, TVNZ and other media agencies as well as raising important questions about the future of the digital economy online!

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Fourth Estate for a price?

Melissa Lee March 03, 2021 Share

There is an elephant in the room right now for the media and I’m not sure they want to talk about it. They have just received $55 million towards ‘sustainable public interest journalism’.

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Melissa Lee's March Update

Matthew Stephens March 01, 2021 Share

Hi Everyone!

As you will know over the weekend Auckland has had to move into COVID-19 Alert level 3 and the rest of New Zealand into Alert Level 2 as a result of new community cases in our country. It is important that we all follow Ministry of Health guidance during these uncertain times and keep our communities safe. You can find out more information here.

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Melissa Lee's Summer Update

Matthew Stephens February 05, 2021 Share

Happy summer everyone!

It's been a beautiful New Year's break and I hope that you all have had the opportunity to enjoy our great Kiwi Beaches and Communities. Coming out of this week's National Party Caucus Retreat I'm absolutely geared up for the year at Parliament ahead!

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