Wanganui may be about to join world's elite seven

Lou Zacharilla

Wanganui is in the running to be recognised as one of the seven most digitally savvy communities in the world and one of the key figures says the title would be well deserved.

As one of the Smart21 Intelligent Communities for two years running, the city is close to finding whether it's made the cut into the next stage - the Top7, to be announced tomorrow.

To be named an Intelligent Community, "success factors" are considered: broadband connectivity, a knowledge workforce, innovation, digital inclusion, and marketing and advocacy. No New Zealand city has made it into the Top7 and Wanganui is the first to reach the Smart21.

Lou Zacharilla, co-founder of the Intelligent Communities Forum which runs the Smart21 and Top7 awards, said Wanganui had done well.

"There's something you guys down there call the 'number 8 wire mentality', that's pretty much the essence of the programme you have in place. It also informs an important quality for an intelligent community - innovation," he said.

"You continue to roll out fast broadband into schools, you have great people in your council - you've already won as being named one of only 126 Intelligent Communities worldwide. You have the opportunity to be part of a global association, a working group to develop relationships and share best practices."

Mr Zacharilla, who spoke to the Chronicle from New York as he prepared for next week's Top7 announcement in Taiwan, said size didn't matter when it came to being part of the global economy.

"It's about inspiring people, hopefully inspiring young people to stay home rather than going to Silicon Valley or Singapore to achieve ... [recognition] shows them they can stay here and build the future."

Wanganui District Council digital facilitator Marianne Archibald said an award such as the Top7 recognised council initiatives: "It means the rest of New Zealand, the rest of the world, looks at Wanganui and recognises what we're doing.

"It's something to work towards, letting the rest of the world and ourselves see what we can do, and believe in ourselves. That's the real benefit."