I would like to personally thank Tu Mai Digital for their amazing support throughout my study journey. I was provided with a laptop for my Bachelor’s degree, and it has helped me so much. I no longer have to borrow laptops, and having a nice, portable laptop has made me feel more confident about attending classes. Ngā mihi nui, Tu Mai Digital.

Earlier this year, my daughter’s laptop was stolen from her bag while she was doing P.E. in the school gym. She was without a laptop for a couple of weeks. As a single mum, I was unable to afford another one. This had a big effect on her schoolwork, as most of her homework is done online and she was unable to complete it at home.

She started failing some tests at school, which affected her self-esteem. All the other kids in her classes had laptops and were passing their tests. She felt embarrassed.

I spoke to some family about the situation, and one of my family members told me to contact Brett from Poutiri Trust, as he might be able to help. I explained what had happened to my daughter’s laptop, and without hesitation, he offered a laptop for her through Tumai Digital.

This was a huge help and took a lot of stress off my shoulders. Since receiving the laptop, my daughter’s grades have improved so much. She is no longer embarrassed in class and is back on track with her schoolwork.

We truly appreciate the help we have received. Thank you, Tumai Digital. We appreciate you!

- Mariana

To whom it may concern, This letter is to let you know that my whānau and I are very grateful for and appreciative of your service. Having a laptop in our whare has been a great benefit for all of us, enabling us to take part in the online learning and courses we have wanted to do. Now that we have access to a laptop, we are able to complete our courses from home and work towards becoming qualified. I hope your service continues to grow so that more whānau have the opportunity to learn online from home. A huge thank you to Brett for looking at our laptop and fixing it so quickly—it was ready for us to pick up within just a few days. Thank you again from my whānau and me for your wonderful service. We hope it can continue to grow and help more people in need. Ngā mihi, Carol

- Carol

Kia Ora 

My name is Jayanna, and I want to take the opportunity to thank Tu Mai Digital for helping me out with a laptop for study.

I am currently studying a bachelor's in physiotherapy. I had expressed to my kai mahi that I needed a laptop for Semester 2, not only for study but for everyday life things like online bank transactions and budgeting templates. Because we live in such an online world these days, everything can be stressed less now about having no device. Brett and the team at Tu Mai have helped so much came and set it up for me and said if I had any issues to just contact them.

I can’t express how much this has kick-started my year off and allowed me not to get into course-related costs debt this year. I think this will help a wide range of whanau to studying students like myself or our elders being provided a device to do their bills and online things, and any whanau needing help with devices this year. 

- Jayanna

Loved the experience and appreciate all the help.

- Cinnimon

Awesome support you gave me.

- Sonali

My experience with TuMai Digital has been awesome; they have helped me in so many ways! To have been given a laptop for my daughter to learn how to do things online, as most things are done on technology these days, down to the internet! Helping me set up and offering their services is top-notch!

Couldn't thank them enough.

- Wairau

I'm happy to be a part of the project. I am not tech-savvy, but my Mokos help me.

- Virginia

Thanks for the laptop; it's been an awesome resource for my daughter with her homework & also my other daughter uses it to do an online course.

- Artorier

I was very grateful to receive the laptop to help my Tamariki and me with our homework. I am currently studying an online course, which would not have been possible without this device.

- Kalvin

Thanks to the Tu Mai digital inclusion pilot project, this whānau of four—with the grandmother as the primary caregiver of two young children—was provided with a Chromebook and an internet connection at no cost. This made it much easier to communicate with government agencies such as Work and Income NZ, NZ Health, Police, and social service agencies.

Her mokopuna were able to learn how to use the Chromebook for learning and educational purposes, as well as for fun educational games and activities. The free internet connection also provided them with much-needed extra money each month to purchase the food and services the whānau needed.

The whānau were very grateful and have been able to widen their social and support networks. It was an honour and a privilege for FAB to be involved in this pilot project and to see the joy and gratitude of this whānau.

- John

Kia ora whānau,

Sorry for the late reply. You have made my life and mental health a lot easier. Researching is much easier, and I am better able to manage my typing. I have also gained some touch-typing skills.

I have started studying towards my roofing apprenticeship. In the past, I was using my phone, which I found a bit hōhā, especially when it came to spelling. Using a keyboard is much better now.

In my downtime, I have downloaded an app that allows me to pursue my music, which I was not able to do on a normal phone. This has helped me a lot, to the point where I have been setting goals and working towards achieving them.

With your support, I truly appreciate your willingness to help others like me who are unfortunate not to have access to these resources to develop our skills.

Much love, whānau. God bless, and thank you for your support.

- Anon

Hi, I would like to say thank you for supporting me with the laptop. I am currently doing my level 2 in being a support person for our community. This sort of mahi is a big help for our community, helping our kaumatua and also the ones who suffer from mental health.

I would also like to achieve my Level 3-4 qualifications, so I can be a better support person for our community. So once again, thank you so much, and I appreciate the support you have given me to achieve my goals.

- Ngawai