Just an Opinion: Leave no one behind

What does a lockdown mean for those who do not have any telecommunications?

A lot of things will get us through the next four weeks on lockdown — video catch ups with family and colleagues to maintain work and family life, TV on demand, internet banking, shopping online and entertaining the kids with plenty of internet surfing. 

Having access to the technology and devices we need, as well as the skills required to stay connected is something many of us will rely on in the coming weeks and months.

For others in this country, however, this crisis will immediately leave them isolated and anxious. 

That’s because thousands of New Zealanders live in households not only without internet, but without a telephone. Let's hope they are listening to the radio and watching television for updates.

Both the 2013 and 2018 Census identify households that have no access to telecommunications systems. This means no landline, no mobile phone and no internet. 

New Zealand data shows:

• 24,135 households have no access to telecommunication systems; (2013 Census). 
• 16,947 households are without access to telecommunications systems; (2018 Census).*

*Given the collection issues in the 2018 census, this figure looks under-reported.

What does this crisis mean for these households, especially during lockdown? 

Obviously, it means some people will miss out on crucial information and timely messages. We know the situation is changing all the time.

People with phone access, but no internet will potentially experience delays (and frustration) calling helplines.

It also means their social world will become a lot smaller — as the regular visit to the local library, church, marae or café is cut off. 

At a time where communication from central government is a matter of life and death, we need to think about how we reach people with information, services and care.

We all have a role to play.

So, where are these people – New Zealanders without telecommunications? 

They're all over New Zealand, as shown by the table below.

Further breakdown reveals a high number of these households are in high deprivation areas which means our most marginalised groups are again at risk. We could also be looking at between 45,000 – 70,000 people missing critical information.

We must not lose sight of these people – they are people in our communities, they are New Zealanders.

We should know where they are.

It’s an opportunity for us to think about how we can support them.

So, can we check if people in our neighbourhoods are ok? Can we run errands, pick up and deliver packages of support, deliver messages and information in a timely manner?

Can we act as an intermediary in creative ways that ensures essential services are mobilised before it’s too late?

The important thing is to ensure no one’s left behind in the weeks (or months) ahead. It’s important to get through this together and to be kind as we do it.