New Zealand Computer Society
Encyclopedia
The New Zealand Computer Society Inc (NZCS) is a non-profit incorporated society in New Zealand
. As New Zealand's ICT professional body
, the NZCS exists to promote education and ensure a high level of professional practice amongst ICT professionals.
.
The NZCS Code of Ethics is mostly concerned with the Community, Qualifications and Competence, Clients and Employers, and Ethical Dilemmas, and contains the following 8 tenets:
NZCS provides for multiple membership levels depending on a member's stage of career and requirements. All members must agree to abide by the NZCS Code of Ethics
.
Within the Society are five branches based on geographic location, being Auckland
, Wellington
, Canterbury
, Waikato
/Bay of Plenty
, and Otago
/Southland
. The NZCS also encompasses a number of Specialist Groups in topics such as Software Testing
and Computer Security
. NZCS branches and specialist groups are staffed by volunteers.
The Society is governed by a National Council made up of the NZCS President, Deputy President, and five Councillors, with each councillor being appointed by one of the branches of the Society.
The Society maintains a fully staffed operational head office in Wellington
and is managed by a Chief Executive who also sits on Council in a non-voting capacity.
NZCS is represented on most ICT-related advisory groups, panels and public ICT-related boards in New Zealand, and was a founding member of the Digital Development Council, a body set up by the New Zealand Government to help achieve New Zealand's digital potential.
The Society is engaged with Government (both ministerial and official level), Industry and Academia and works as a catalyst and conduit for these three important sub-sectors to work together in the interests of the overall ICT Sector, both in the area of ethics and professional practice as well as to solve issues such as the current ICT skills shortage and drop in tertiary ICT enrolments.
NZCS also takes an active interest in educational issues and in 2008 completed a detailed analysis of ICT-related NCEA
Achievement Standards in secondary schools and outlined a number of significant and serious problems with these standards.
The Society also promotes digital literacy.
in New Zealand, the Information Technology Certified Professional
(ITCP) qualification.
, Wellington
, Christchurch
, Hamilton
and Dunedin
.
As well as around 20 local events a month, the Society began a monthly nationwide Innovators of ICT event series in August 2008, taking notable and successful entrepreneurs such as Rod Drury
and Don Christie on a speaking trip to the five cities above to promote innovation and "thinking outside the square" to New Zealand's development and ICT community.
Recent HFNZCS recipients include former Minister of ICT Hon David Cunliffe
and ICT entrepreneur Rod Drury
. There are currently 21 Honorary Fellows.
(IFIP), an international umbrella organisation originally set up by UNESCO
, and South East Asia Regional Computer Confederation (SEARCC).
The society also works with other professional bodies around the world, such as the Australian Computer Society
and the British Computer Society
.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. As New Zealand's ICT professional body
Professional body
A professional association is usually a nonprofit organization seeking to further a particular profession, the interests of individuals engaged in that profession, and the public interest.The roles of these professional associations have been variously defined: "A group of people in a...
, the NZCS exists to promote education and ensure a high level of professional practice amongst ICT professionals.
Mission and Vision
The Society's mission is NZCS promotes education and sets policies, standards and practices for ICT in New Zealand., with a vision To advance ICT Professionalism and Education for the benefit of New Zealand.Objects
The Objects of the New Zealand Computer Society, as provided in the Society's constitution, are to:- develop the discipline of information technology in New Zealand.
- foster the training, education and qualification of persons practising or intending to practise within the discipline in New Zealand.
- promote proper conduct within its membership and to set ethical standards for the discipline.
- grant qualifications and classes of membership to members in recognition of their proficiency within the discipline.
- develop or provide lectures, meetings, conferences and publications and to promote research within the discipline of information technology.
- take a public position on matters of concern to the Society and make submissions or advise government as appropriate.
- promote any other related activities that are in the interests of the Society.
Code of Ethics
All NZCS members must formally agree to a Code of EthicsEthical code
An ethical code is adopted by an organization in an attempt to assist those in the organization called upon to make a decision understand the difference between 'right' and 'wrong' and to apply this understanding to their decision...
.
The NZCS Code of Ethics is mostly concerned with the Community, Qualifications and Competence, Clients and Employers, and Ethical Dilemmas, and contains the following 8 tenets:
- Members' responsibility for the welfare and rights of the community shall come before their responsibility to their profession, sectional or private interests or to other members;
- Members shall act in the execution of their profession with integrity, dignity and honour to merit the trust of the community and the profession, and apply honesty, skill, judgement and initiative to contribute positively to the well-being of society;
- Members shall treat people with dignity, good faith and equity; without discrimination; and have consideration for the values and cultural sensitivities of all groups within the community affected by their work;
- Members shall follow recognised professional practice, and provide services and advice carefully and diligently only within their areas of competence;
- Members shall develop their knowledge, skills and expertise continuously through their careers, contribute to the collective wisdom of the profession, and actively encourage their associates to do likewise;
- Members shall apply their skills and knowledge in the interests of their clients or employers for whom they will act without compromising any other of these tenets;
- Members shall take reasonable steps to inform themselves, their clients or employers of the economic, social, environmental or legal consequences which may arise from their actions; and
- Members shall inform their clients or employers of any interest which may be, or may be perceived as being, in conflict with the interests of their clients or employers, or which may affect the quality of service or impartial judgement;
Membership
The NZCS has an estimated membership of approximately 2,500 individual members, plus around 80 Corporate Partners (businesses who have joined on behalf of their staff) resulting in an estimated representation of over 10,000 ICT professionals.NZCS provides for multiple membership levels depending on a member's stage of career and requirements. All members must agree to abide by the NZCS Code of Ethics
Ethical code
An ethical code is adopted by an organization in an attempt to assist those in the organization called upon to make a decision understand the difference between 'right' and 'wrong' and to apply this understanding to their decision...
.
Professional Membership
Professional membership is for those in the ICT profession who meet certain requirements in terms of experience and qualifications.- Associate Member (AMNZCS) is the entry-level professional membership level
- Member (MNZCS) is the full membership level
- Fellow (FNZCS) is the very senior membership level
Affiliate Membership
- Affiliate is for those that wish to have membership of the NZCS but do not meet the requirements for professional membership
- Student is for students studying fulltime in a recognised course of study
- Graduate is for those that have graduated or left school within the last 12 months
Honorary Membership
- Honorary Fellow (HFNZCS) is a title conferred on a small number of individuals who have had a major impact on the sector, and is regarded as the highest honour in the ICT profession
Organisational Membership
- Corporate Partner is for organisations wishing to align with and support the work of the NZCS (includes significant benefits for staff)
- Educational Partner is for educational institutions wishing to align with and support the work of the NZCS (includes significant benefits for staff)
Structure
The New Zealand Computer Society is a single nationwide non-profit incorporated society.Within the Society are five branches based on geographic location, being Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
, Canterbury
Canterbury, New Zealand
The New Zealand region of Canterbury is mainly composed of the Canterbury Plains and the surrounding mountains. Its main city, Christchurch, hosts the main office of the Christchurch City Council, the Canterbury Regional Council - called Environment Canterbury - and the University of Canterbury.-...
, Waikato
Waikato
The Waikato Region is a local government region of the upper North Island of New Zealand. It covers the Waikato, Hauraki, Coromandel Peninsula, the northern King Country, much of the Taupo District, and parts of Rotorua District...
/Bay of Plenty
Bay of Plenty
The Bay of Plenty , often abbreviated to BOP, is a region in the North Island of New Zealand situated around the body of water of the same name...
, and Otago
Otago
Otago is a region of New Zealand in the south of the South Island. The region covers an area of approximately making it the country's second largest region. The population of Otago is...
/Southland
Southland Region
Southland is New Zealand's southernmost region and is also a district within that region. It consists mainly of the southwestern portion of the South Island and Stewart Island / Rakiura...
. The NZCS also encompasses a number of Specialist Groups in topics such as Software Testing
Software testing
Software testing is an investigation conducted to provide stakeholders with information about the quality of the product or service under test. Software testing can also provide an objective, independent view of the software to allow the business to appreciate and understand the risks of software...
and Computer Security
Computer security
Computer security is a branch of computer technology known as information security as applied to computers and networks. The objective of computer security includes protection of information and property from theft, corruption, or natural disaster, while allowing the information and property to...
. NZCS branches and specialist groups are staffed by volunteers.
The Society is governed by a National Council made up of the NZCS President, Deputy President, and five Councillors, with each councillor being appointed by one of the branches of the Society.
The Society maintains a fully staffed operational head office in Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
and is managed by a Chief Executive who also sits on Council in a non-voting capacity.
Advocacy
NZCS is regarded as the voice of the ICT profession in New Zealand and undertakes significant advocacy on behalf of the profession and wider sector.NZCS is represented on most ICT-related advisory groups, panels and public ICT-related boards in New Zealand, and was a founding member of the Digital Development Council, a body set up by the New Zealand Government to help achieve New Zealand's digital potential.
The Society is engaged with Government (both ministerial and official level), Industry and Academia and works as a catalyst and conduit for these three important sub-sectors to work together in the interests of the overall ICT Sector, both in the area of ethics and professional practice as well as to solve issues such as the current ICT skills shortage and drop in tertiary ICT enrolments.
NZCS also takes an active interest in educational issues and in 2008 completed a detailed analysis of ICT-related NCEA
National Certificate of Educational Achievement
The National Certificate of Educational Achievement is, since 2004, the official secondary school qualification in New Zealand.It has three levels, corresponding to the levels within the National Qualifications Framework, and these are generally studied in each of the three final years of...
Achievement Standards in secondary schools and outlined a number of significant and serious problems with these standards.
The Society also promotes digital literacy.
Certification
In 2009 the society released an internationally-aligned ICT professional certificationProfessional certification
Professional certification, trade certification, or professional designation, often called simply certification or qualification, is a designation earned by a person to assure qualification to perform a job or task...
in New Zealand, the Information Technology Certified Professional
Information Technology Certified Professional
Information Technology Certified Professional, or ITCP, is a professional certification programme operated by the New Zealand Computer Society in New Zealand.ITCP measures the skills, knowledge and competence of IT Professionals across 4 areas, being:...
(ITCP) qualification.
Events
The NZCS runs numerous events throughout New Zealand, but predominantly in AucklandAuckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
, Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
, Hamilton
Hamilton, New Zealand
Hamilton is the centre of New Zealand's fourth largest urban area, and Hamilton City is the country's fourth largest territorial authority. Hamilton is in the Waikato Region of the North Island, approximately south of Auckland...
and Dunedin
Dunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...
.
As well as around 20 local events a month, the Society began a monthly nationwide Innovators of ICT event series in August 2008, taking notable and successful entrepreneurs such as Rod Drury
Rod Drury
Rod Drury is a technology entrepreneur from Wellington, New Zealand. He is currently CEO of the online accounting software company Xero, and a key player in the Pacific Fibre project.- Professional history :...
and Don Christie on a speaking trip to the five cities above to promote innovation and "thinking outside the square" to New Zealand's development and ICT community.
Honorary Fellowships
The NZCS occasionally confers the title of Honorary Fellow of the NZCS (HFNZCS) on an individual who has made a significant contribution to the ICT sector in New Zealand over a period of time, or the Society over many years.Recent HFNZCS recipients include former Minister of ICT Hon David Cunliffe
David Cunliffe
David Richard Cunliffe is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party, and the sitting member of parliament for New Lynn, West Auckland. He served as the Minister of Health and Minister for Communications and Information Technology for the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand...
and ICT entrepreneur Rod Drury
Rod Drury
Rod Drury is a technology entrepreneur from Wellington, New Zealand. He is currently CEO of the online accounting software company Xero, and a key player in the Pacific Fibre project.- Professional history :...
. There are currently 21 Honorary Fellows.
International Relationships
The NZCS is a full member of the International Federation for Information ProcessingInternational Federation for Information Processing
The International Federation for Information Processing is an umbrella organization for national societies working in the field of information technology. It is a non-governmental, non-profit organization with offices in Laxenburg, Austria...
(IFIP), an international umbrella organisation originally set up by UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
, and South East Asia Regional Computer Confederation (SEARCC).
The society also works with other professional bodies around the world, such as the Australian Computer Society
Australian Computer Society
The Australian Computer Society is an association for information and communications technology professionals. According to its Constitution, its objects are "to advance professional excellence in information technology" and "to promote the development of Australian information and communications...
and the British Computer Society
British Computer Society
The British Computer Society, is a professional body and a learned society that represents those working in Information Technology in the United Kingdom and internationally...
.
See also
- Australian Computer SocietyAustralian Computer SocietyThe Australian Computer Society is an association for information and communications technology professionals. According to its Constitution, its objects are "to advance professional excellence in information technology" and "to promote the development of Australian information and communications...
(ACS) - British Computer SocietyBritish Computer SocietyThe British Computer Society, is a professional body and a learned society that represents those working in Information Technology in the United Kingdom and internationally...
(BCS) - Canadian Information Processing SocietyCanadian Information Processing SocietyThe Canadian Information Processing Society is the Information Technology professional society in Canada.The society certifies and regulates the Information Systems Professional designation in most provinces....
(CIPS) - Computer Society of Southern AfricaComputer Society of Southern AfricaThe Computer Society of South Africa has over 3000 members throughout the country.The Computer Society of South Africa focuses its activities, events and publications in five primary areas:* ICT Policy representing industry practitioners at a local level....
(CSSA) - Association for Computing MachineryAssociation for Computing MachineryThe Association for Computing Machinery is a learned society for computing. It was founded in 1947 as the world's first scientific and educational computing society. Its membership is more than 92,000 as of 2009...
(ACM) - IEEE Computer SocietyIEEE Computer SocietyThe IEEE Computer Society is a professional society of IEEE. Its purpose and scope is “to advance the theory, practice, and application of computer and information processing science and technology” and the “professional standing of its members.” The CS is the largest of 38 technical societies...
(IEEE CS) - Institution of Analysts and ProgrammersInstitution of Analysts and ProgrammersThe Institution of Analysts and Programmers of the United Kingdom is an institution for information technologists, based in London. It is one of the UK's leading professional organisations for people working on business systems and computer software.- History :The IAP was founded in the 1970s by a...
(IAP) - International Federation for Information ProcessingInternational Federation for Information ProcessingThe International Federation for Information Processing is an umbrella organization for national societies working in the field of information technology. It is a non-governmental, non-profit organization with offices in Laxenburg, Austria...
(IFIP) - ICT Association of Jordan - int@j
- SEARCCSEARCCSEARCC is an acronym for the South East Asia Regional Computer Confederation, a not-for-profit association of national computer professional associations of the Pacific Rim region...