Crown technology company, Network for Learning (N4L), welcomes two new directors, Ming-chun Wu and Elle Archer, to its Board. These appointments add to the diversity of the N4L Board and bring additional knowledge of and relationships within the broader education ecosystem.
The appointments follow the retirement from the Board of Deputy Chair, Dame Karen Poutasi, DNZM.
A qualified teacher with past experience in the Ministry of Education, Ms Wu works as a public sector consultant, specialising in relationship and stakeholder management. She also has a depth of experience in the public sector, having previously held senior management roles at Te Puni Kōkiri / Ministry for Māori Development, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and other Government departments.
Mrs Archer has extensive governance and strategic foresight skills and experience, with 15 years spent in development, delivery, maintenance, and review of technology-based services, and digital transformation projects. She has also worked for more than a decade in underground infrastructure, while leading the regional efforts for digital equity and inclusion for Waitaha/Canterbury in connection with the national portfolio of works.
Mrs Archer is currently Chair of Te Matarau, The Māori Tech Association; Kaiārahi Iwi Digital Strategies; Chair of Canterbury Regional Digital Equity Joint Committee; Board Trustee for Ako Ōtautahi, Learning City Christchurch; and a board member of GovHack NZ 2022. She currently works as a Senior Consultant at ELG Global, as well as presenting and lecturing at the Centre for Entrepreneurship, University of Canterbury.
N4L Board Chair, Colin MacDonald, says: “Network for Learning is proud to connect, protect and support schools and kura across Aotearoa New Zealand. We are delighted to welcome Ming-chun and Elle to the N4L Board of Directors. Their appointments will support N4L to continue to deliver a wide range of managed broadband, Wi-Fi and cybersecurity products and services, on behalf of the Ministry of Education”.
“We also thank Dame Karen Poutasi for her wonderful service as the Board’s Deputy Chair and Member of the Audit and Risk Committee. Karen has provided invaluable leadership and advice, enabling us to continue to help keep schools and kura safer online. We wish Karen all the best in her future endeavours.”
Ming-chun Wu says: “I’m very pleased to be joining N4L at such an exciting time. In recent years, the pandemic has further emphasised the importance and value of online learning. N4L’s expertise is critical in supporting the learning needs of our young ākonga and the support it provides enables schools to get on and focus on their important job of teaching.”
Elle Archer says: “I’m delighted to join the N4L Board, to help further leverage the Crown’s investment and provide great service and support for schools and kura. N4L has an outstanding track record of success and will continue to play an integral role in the learning and development of ākonga in Aotearoa New Zealand.”
Ms Wu and Mrs Archer join the following N4L board members: Chair Colin MacDonald (former Chief Executive at the Department of Internal Affairs; Government Chief Digital Officer), and the organisation’s four other directors: Deputy Chair and Chair of the HR & Remuneration Committee, Jeremy Banks (Director, Board of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand; Director, Wakatū Incorporation Whenua Board); Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee, Sharon Cresswell (Director, Wool Impact Ltd; Acting GM Finance, The Lines Company Ltd); Hon Clare Curran (Principal, Curran Consultants; former MP for Dunedin South); and Anthony Briscoe (former President and Chief Executive of Southern Cross Cable Network; previously Head of International for Telecom NZ).
ENDS
For more information, please contact: Andrew Drever on 027 700 5643 or [email protected]
About Network for Learning (N4L)
Network for Learning (N4L) is a Crown owned technology company, delivering a wide range of managed broadband, Wi-Fi and cybersecurity products and services, on behalf of the Ministry of Education, to schools and kura across Aotearoa New Zealand. We provide fully funded internet for all state and state-integrated schools and kura, operating one of the largest broadband networks in Aotearoa New Zealand, accounting for nearly 25% of the country’s daytime internet traffic. Our team of dedicated network, cybersecurity and service delivery experts help more than 900,000 tumuaki, kaiako and ākonga enjoy daily access to a safer and more reliable online learning environment. Keeping schools safer online is a team effort, and N4L is here to help connect, protect and support schools. See www.n4l.co.nz