The stages of telecentre development: the case of the Kapiti Telecentre

This paper describes part of a research programme that explores the development of telecentres and the role of key players in these ventures. A single case study was conducted on the development of the Kapiti Telecentre, which is based on the Kapiti coast, a semi-rural and developing community situated approximately 50 km north of Wellington, New Zealand. The Kapiti Telecentre is unique among telecentres in that it is a collaborative project between business and community organisations. Several workers from city-based businesses are using the telecentre as a teleworking hub whilst the community users have initiated a major community IT educational programme based at the centre. A Board of Trustees provides governance of the telecentre and trustees come from the business, community and academic institutions. Initial results from this study suggest that the development of the Kapiti Telecentre follows four distinct stages: Germinating, Seedling, Sapling and Maturing. Details of the development activities during each stage will be described. The paper concludes by suggesting a number of implications for future telecentres development.