Many people don't know they are eligible for complimentary Microsoft software and services. You can help spread the word to ensure that people in your community are making the best of what's available to them.
Not-for-profit donations
Microsoft and many other suppliers offer technology donations through TechSoup. Microsoft has donated more than $19,000,000 worth of technology to NZ nonprofits through this programme.
Software startups
Microsoft's BizSpark programme provides complimentary software, cloud services and access to a community of partners around the world who are involved in supporting software-fuelled innovation and the next generation of technology entrepreneurs.
Anti-virus software
For home users and small businesses, Microsoft Security Essentials is a complimentary download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and is automatically updated to protect Windows PCs with the latest anti-malware technology.
Māori language packs
Complimentary Māori language packs are available for Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office are available to translate commonly-used features, giving people the choice to use the technology in a language that is familiar.
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For Cyber-Safety Awareness Week this year, we featured top tips to help you keep safer and more secure online.
Every year since 1975, New Zealand has marked Māori Language Week, te wiki o te reo Māori. This is a time for all New Zealanders to celebrate te reo Māori (the Māori language) and to use more Māori phrases in everyday life.
Te reo Māori is a unique part of New Zealand culture and one of our three official languages. To mark Māori Language week this year (4 – 10 July), we announced the availability of complimentary Māori language packs for Microsoft Windows 7 and Microsoft Office 2010.
The translation builds on the work of the Maori Language Commission and the University of Waikato in previous interpretations for Microsoft XP and Vista, and offers a wider vocabulary and greater accuracy, particularly when it comes to new words describing new innovations and technology. “We found that certain Māori words used in relation to technology didn’t always capture the true spirit of the English word, so we’ve developed and adapted words that are becoming increasing adopted,” says Wareko Te Āngina, an independent translator who worked as moderator on the project.
These language packs translate commonly-used features within Windows 7 and Office 2010, giving people the choice to use the technology in a language that is familiar and honours linguistic and cultural differences.
Microsoft offers language packs for around 200 languages around the world because we believe that technology plays a significant role in the dissemination of culture.
Dr Te Taka Keegan, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Waikato emphasises the important role that technology plays: “For languages to survive, they need to be used in normal day-to-day activities, and because technology and computers are such a big part of our lives, the language needs to be used in technology as well. We are very excited about the opportunities the new translations will bring for te reo students, particularly those in immersion schools. It can only help to strengthen the language and encourage greater use.”
Click below to hear more about the project from Dr Te Taka Keegan.
The Māori language pack for Microsoft Office 2010 and the Māori language pack for Microsoft Windows 7 can be downloaded from Microsoft New Zealand’s website at no cost. Complimentary Māori language packs are also available through for previous versions of Microsoft Office and Microsoft Windows. Please link to these free resources help to spread the word to others in the community who might be interested.
By Dr Mark Rees, National Technology Officer, Microsoft New Zealand
Kia ora
Are packs still available
Mauri ora
Ngaire
Ngaire Tainui on behalf of Onuku Runanga Inc Soc
Kia ora Ngaire, the packs are still available. You can download them from the website any time. Please have a look here for "Windows" and "Office":
www.microsoft.com/.../search.aspx