🎉 Five Years of RAD: Christchurch Community Impact
When RAD turns five, it’s not just a milestone for our kaupapa — it’s a celebration of the communities who’ve embraced, grown, and powered it forward.
Nowhere is that more true than in Ōtautahi Christchurch, where RAD clubs and gifting partners are opening doors to digital equity for learners, families, and entire neighbourhoods. Over the past few years, Hagley Learning Centre, Te Aratai / Linwood Library, and Hornby High School have each made the kaupapa their own — showing that when communities take RAD into their hands, lives change.
Hagley Learning Centre – Confidence, Connection and Contribution
Hagley Learning Centre first connected with RAD in 2023, when laptops gifted through the programme were distributed to students with no access to a device. The need was clear. Many of the learners were young people who had disengaged from education, adults retraining in a new country, or families starting over as former refugees.
By 2024, Hagley had launched its own RAD Club, allowing students to take part in refurbishing devices themselves. In just 18 months, they have already refurbished and gifted more than 50 laptops — and built a community of learners who are growing confidence alongside their technical skills.
For volunteer Ivy Gao, who joined the club with a background in Computer Science but no practical experience, the opportunity has been life-changing:
“At the very beginning, I was nervous because I had no experience taking apart a laptop. But after I got hands on, I found it very interesting — it’s not as difficult as I thought.”
The club gave Ivy not only practical skills, but also a sense of belonging in a new community.
“My English is not so good but here it is very supportive and I can connect with people and practice my English as well.”
For Ivy, the greatest reward is knowing that her work matters:
“It’s very meaningful for me to be part of the RAD club because it’s great to know the laptop I fixed is now helping someone else.”
Ivy Gao - Hagley Learning Centre RAD Club Volunteer
Coordinator Robyn Peterson says Hagley’s RAD Club reflects the diversity of the wider community. At any given time, she says, there may be up to 30–40 nationalities represented across their programmes, from youth to professionals, English language learners, and special needs students.
She recalls one young man, Jason, who rarely spoke in class but flourished in the RAD Club:
“When he’s been at RAD club, he’s been able to do something that makes good sense to him. He interacts, he’s with people who ‘talk the same talk’ — and he’s been a joy to have.”
Robyn Peterson - Hagley Learning Centre RAD Coordinator
For Robyn, RAD is a powerful way to remove barriers:
“The two biggest barriers we see are financial and digital literacy. Being able to access a computer without a cost associated is superb. Having the chance to learn the skills they need to interact with the world is really important.”
With every laptop gifted, Hagley learners gain more than just a device — they gain the ability to participate fully in society, from applying for jobs to filling out essential forms.
Te Aratai Linwood Library – A Lifeline in the Community
Libraries are often the first port of call for those who need digital access, but as Amy Chiles, Learning Specialist at Christchurch City Libraries, points out:
“We are problem solvers at heart and we really want to help people, but once the library closes we can’t do that.”
That’s where RAD has stepped in. Te Aratai Library, based in Linwood, has been part of RAD since the programme was piloted, working alongside The Loft and other community partners. Together, they’ve been able to provide laptops to families and individuals who might otherwise go without.
“Happy 5th Birthday RAD. In the 5 years we’ve been part of RAD we’ve seen so many people who have not had access to technology being upskilled and resourced with something we often as librarians can’t help with.”
For Amy, RAD not only provides tools, but also builds relationships. Many of the people who receive RAD laptops weren’t regular library users before.
“We find people who receive a RAD laptop aren’t usually library users. We’re able to introduce them to our other resources and connect them into a community hub.”
Amy Chiles - Te Aratai Linwood Library
In a suburb where many families face financial challenges, Amy sees the difference clearly. Public computers are heavily used, but when access ends at closing time, digital equity becomes impossible. Having a laptop at home gives families the ability to apply for jobs, complete studies, or manage essential life admin without the stress of limited time.
“So much of life is now online — applying for jobs, passports, a benefit. Having access to digital technologies and an internet connection is vital to be part of the community.”
For Te Aratai, RAD has become part of the everyday fabric of support they can offer.
Hornby High School – Devices as Everyday Tools
At Hornby High School, the RAD kaupapa is not a “nice to have” — it’s a necessity. As a 1:1 device school in a lower socio-economic area, affordability has long been a barrier for some students. Without a laptop, learning is disrupted both in the classroom and at home.
Technology teacher Sam Tisch says RAD fits perfectly into the school’s vision:
“We have students here who don’t have and need devices so I can see the direct relationships between what RAD is doing and how we can be part of that bigger picture.”
Hornby’s RAD Club is also about more than just fixing computers. It’s a space where students build teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
“They gain a deeper understanding of computers, how to fix them, but also soft skills — teamwork, communication, leadership. It’s also a place to socialise after school.”
The real impact comes when a student receives a laptop they can take home. Sam says the transformation is immediate:
“Having one given to them has completely transformed their ability to learn. They can engage at school and continue at home. Teachers constantly tell us how much easier it is to support learning when students have their own devices.”
Sam Tisch - Hornby High School Technology Teacher
RAD Student Leader Eziquel Sumer has seen the change among his peers, and in himself:
“For me I’ve been growing leadership skills, but for the students they’re growing open communication. They’re communicating much more.”
For Eziquel, the kaupapa is simple:
“For students, devices are a necessity, not just something to play on. In school they’re like books and pens — what you need. RAD club is very important for our school because they help students who need devices to have one they can own.”
Eziquel Sumer - Hornby High School RAD Club Student Leader
A Ripple Effect of Impact
From Hagley’s diverse learners, to families connected through Te Aratai Library, to Hornby High students thriving with devices of their own — Christchurch shows us what RAD is all about: skills, equity, and empowerment through technology.
Each story proves that digital equity is about more than machines. It’s about confidence, connection, and dignity. It’s about a learner like Ivy who discovers her skills matter, a man like Jason who finds his voice, or a student like Eziquel who realises he can lead.
As RAD turns 5, we celebrate these stories and look ahead to growing even more impact in communities across Aotearoa.
Because in the words of Robyn Peterson:
“This is a wonderful opportunity to move computers from organisations into the community.”
And that’s exactly what RAD will keep doing — one laptop, one learner, one community at a time.