The Wairoa District Council has joined a national initiative to dispose of viable electronic equipment while helping young New Zealanders flourish.

Council has signed up to Digital Wings as a donor organisation with chief executive Steven May saying Council’s involvement is a win win situation.

Digital Wings acts as a bridge between the corporate and community worlds by enabling the distribution of electronic equipment from corporate donors to community organisations.

Donors donate redundant electronic equipment which means it is being disposed of in a responsible way, that equipment is then refurbished and donated to charities.

“By donating outdated equipment, we are keeping our e-waste out of landfills and enabling other organisations to benefit.”

The Digital Wings edge is that all equipment has a 12-month hardware warranty, all equipment is refurbished to fit-for-purpose minimum spec, reimaged with Microsoft Charity upgrade licences to Windows 10 and Office 2010 and delivered free of charge to community organisations nationwide.

Being a donor means Council has signed up to donate its outdated electronics and equipment. It also means Wairoa charities, particularly those seeking to raise aspirations and create opportunity, particularly for youth education and employment, Māori and Pasifika development can apply for what they need.

Mr May said Council’s involvement is about building relationships and making it simple for businesses and organisations to responsibly dispose of their computer equipment at every upgrade.

Digital Wings also report back to the donors with stories of how these donation have made a difference.

Charities, whānau / hapū and community organisations are invited to apply for refurbished computers to support their goals and outcomes, free of charge.

Preference is given to organisations working in rangatahi, youth development and education to employment initiatives.

“Council, like other organisations of our size, has redundant hardware, such as laptops, PC’s, LCD Screens, Printers, Cables, Phones etc and disposing of them in a way that sees them being repurposed is the ideal.”

The Digital Wings Trust was established in June 2017 after consultation with both the business and community sectors.

The Digital Wings commitment is to both community development and the environment.

The foucs is on enhancing digital opportunities and advancing education, employment, health and wellbeing of people living in underserved communities.

For more information, particularly from people looking to apply to receive donated hardware, visit www.digitalwings.nz.

22 July 2019

Back to Archive