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TechSoup New Zealands Impact | “For the first time in 15 years all our computers can talk to each other"

One of the most exciting outcomes for NZFVWO having partnered with ConnectingUp Australia to bring TechSoup to New Zealand charities has been the amazing effect it has had in just a few short months of operation. The Mangere East Family Service Centre is one such outcome. “For the first time in fifteen years all our computers can talk to each other with a common operating system Windows XP and a common work platform, Office 2007. This means that staff can now share documents, collaborate and interact more on the work they are doing.” Says Director, Peter Sykes.


Mangere in South Auckland is probably New Zealand’s poorest area, often lacking in resources more easily found in other areas of Auckland or New Zealand. Since 1993 Mangere East Family Service Centre (MEFSC) has been working with children, young people and their families to help address the social and economic disadvantage that living in Mangere means for many people.

MEFSC offers a number of services to their clients, including a preschool, the Social Workers in Schools programme (SWIS) and their highly successful initiative (HIPPY), the Home Intervention Programme for Parents and Youngsters. This tutor lead programme for parents and their preschool children through to the end of their first year at primary school, focuses on home learning for parents and children as they prepare to enter school.

Ruth a young HIPPY parent says "This programme has given me so much confidence as my child's first teacher. It's the ONE place each day where my child and I are one on one, connected, engaged (in activities) and feel a sense of purpose. The hassle-free resources HIPPY supply is the most valuable part of the programme. It certainly is helping both my child and I grow personally."

Maximising client contact time and working collaboratively is a critical aspect of the work for the team at MEFSC and this is where the new Microsoft software has helped make a significant difference.  
“Technology instead of being an outcome or problem has become a tool to create better results fro children and the families we work with. Less time spent on learning how to use the beast and more time with the clients, less time copying and sorting documents, reports and data and more time out and about.” Say Peter. “Thank you TechSoup and Microsoft for making such a difference.”

Who are they?
Mangere East Family Service Centre

Where are they?
Mangere, South Auckland, New Zealand

What do they do?
Work with children, young people and their families to help address social and economic disadvantage

What did they receive?
Windows XP, One Note and Office Professional Plus 07

The Outcome?
“For the first time in 15 years all our computers can talk to each other with  common operating system” Peter Sykes - Director