Frequently asked questions – device and connectivity access assistance
Who is eligible to apply for assistance?
The person who is primarily responsible for the education of a full-time Te Kura student enrolled in an
online 000 course or an NCEA Level 1 course can apply for assistance if they
are a current beneficiary or Community Services Card holder and have no other means of providing a suitable
device and/or connectivity. Young adult students enrolled in three or more courses may also apply for
assistance in their own right if they are a current beneficiary or Community Services Card holder and have
no other means of getting a suitable device and/or connectivity. Please have your benefit or Community Services
Card number on hand when you complete the application.
If you are not a beneficiary or Community Services Card holder you may make an application by writing to Te
Kura’s Chief Executive outlining why you are unable to provide access to a suitable device or the internet.
Please provide as many details as you can, including the name and student ID number of the student on whose
behalf the application is being made, and address your letter to:
Chief Executive
Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu
Private Bag 39992
Wellington Mail Centre
Lower Hutt 5045
What does Te Kura consider when assessing an application for assistance?
Applications will be approved if the applicant meets the following criteria:
- the application is made on behalf of a full-time student enrolled at Te Kura for the 2016 school year, or a young adult student enrolled in three or more courses, and
- the student is enrolled in an online 000 course or an NCEA Level 1 course (check the course selection guide Choice 2016 on our website if you are unsure whether or not your student’s course is an online 000 course), and
- the applicant is a beneficiary or Community Services Card holder and provides their beneficiary or Community Services Card number with their application, and
- a valid student ID number is provided with the application, and
- the applicant and student are resident in New Zealand.
How will I know if my application is approved?
You will receive an email confirming your details and that your application has been approved.
I can’t complete the online form because my/my student’s enrolment application has not been approved yet so I cannot provide a student ID number. What can I do?
You can download an application form to fill in and post back to us, or call us on 0800 65 99 88 option 1 to ask for a form to be sent to you. Your application for assistance will considered once the enrolment application has been approved.
What kind of device is supplied?
The devices are re-conditioned laptop computers which have been loaded with Microsoft Windows operating system. All Te Kura students are allocated an email address which they can use to access free Microsoft software. The email address follows this format studentfirstname.studentlastname@mytekura.school.nz and the password is the student’s Te Kura ID number. There is more information on our website, along with a link to download the software.
If my application is approved, how long will it take for my student’s device to arrive?
Depending on where you live, it may take up to 10 working days for your device to be delivered.
What sort of connectivity assistance is provided?
We provide a subsidy of $30 per month per student to be used towards internet connectivity through your preferred provider.
The subsidy will be paid directly into the applicant’s bank account, so if you are applying for the subsidy please have your bank account information handy.
Eligible full-time students enrolled under the geographical isolation, geographical inaccessibility and itinerancy gateways may receive a top-up of their internet subsidy of a further $30 due to the higher costs faced by families in rural areas. Eligible young adult students living in rural areas may also request a top-up when making their application.
Will Te Kura contact my preferred service provider or do I need to do that?
If you have a current broadband provider you do not need to do anything. However, if you are applying for assistance and don’t have an existing broadband provider you will need to contact your preferred provider to set up your connection. Your subsidy will be paid monthly.
What do I do if the internet service providers (ISP) will not give me an account?
If, for any commercial reason, ISPs will not give you an account you may apply to Internet@Home for your internet connection. Internet@Home can arrange internet connectivity with you. However, charges will apply.
What training or support is provided for my student in using the new device?
Simple instructions for operating the laptop will be included with the device. There is useful information on our website including a
link to download Microsoft Office 365. You can use your internet browser to find websites that can help you if you or your student have not used
a computer before, like this one http://www.digitalunite.com/guides/computer-basics.
For any technical problems contact our Information Resource Group on 0800 65 99 88 Ext 8500 or email LAC.assistance@tekura.school.nz
Who should we contact if we have any technical problems with the device?
You should contact our helpdesk by email LAC.Assistance@tekura.school.nz or telephone 0800 65 99 88 ext 8500.
If there is a problem with the device which we cannot resolve over the telephone, a replacement device will be provided.
Will we need a printer as well? If so, will Te Kura provide one?
Some online courses require students to write or draw on printed worksheets which can be downloaded and printed from the OTLE. Full-time students or young adult students enrolled in three or more courses who do not have access to a printer can ask to receive these printed pages through the post.
What can I do if my application is declined?
If you are not a beneficiary or Community Services Card holder you may make an application for assistance by writing to
Te Kura’s Chief Executive outlining why you are unable to provide access to a suitable device or the internet for your student.
Please note that applications will only be considered for students who are enrolled in an online 000 or NCEA Level 1 course. To assist us in considering your application, please provide as many details as you can and address your letter to:
Chief Executive
Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu
Private Bag 39992
Wellington Mail Centre
Lower Hutt 5045
We already have students working online who need to use our computer. Can we apply for assistance to provide a dedicated device?
Yes, providing student and applicant meet the eligibility criteria.
Will Te Kura provide assistance for more than one eligible student in the same family?
Yes. Applications for a device and connectivity subsidy can be made on behalf of each eligible student in the same family or household.
Are overseas students eligible for assistance?
No, students must be living in New Zealand.