8. LYNNE PILLAY (Labour—Waitakere) Link to this
to the Minister for Information Technology
What reports has he received on Government initiatives to increase access to high-quality New Zealand digital content?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE (Minister for Information Technology) Link to this
The Hon Judith Tizard, the Minister responsible for the National Library, and I launched the Draft New Zealand Digital Content Strategy last week. The digital content strategy is a 5-year plan that aims to help bring New Zealanders online. Creating Kiwi content is important to ensure that our unique heritage and national identity are strong, visible, and available in cyberspace, thereby supporting an innovative and creative knowledge-based economy.
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
Digital content is important because it can foster new product development and knowledge that will contribute to economic transformation. It has the potential to be a major area of skilled employment and export-led growth over the coming decade.
Sue KedgleyWhat is the point of investing in smart new high-resolution, high-tech, and high-quality digital television, if all we have to watch on it is the same old diet of mostly low-quality foreign programmes and reruns; and will he therefore urge the Minister of Broadcasting to seek much more funding for New Zealand programming, to ensure that all this investment in digital technology is actually worthwhile?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
The question would be better put to the Minister of Broadcasting. But my own view is that he has done very well already for Television New Zealand.