About Us

WestREAP [Rural Education Activities Programme] provides educational services throughout Grey & Westland Districts [Punakaiki and Totara Flat to Haast] in early childhood, primary and secondary schools, youth right through to seniors by means of our community programmes and courses. One of thirteen REAPs established in the late 1970s, WestREAP provides support and assistance to the local communities that are best able to identify their special needs

WestREAP is pleased to offer Computers in Homes in the Buller region in partnership with the Department of Internal Affairs: Community Partnership Fund, our whanau organisation, Buller REAP, the Buller Bay Resource and Information Centre at Ngakawau, the Murchison Adult Learning Centre and the Karamea Area School.

After having delivered Computers in Homes to over 300 families in the Grey and Westland Districts from 2004 to 2008, the programme was then rolled out in 2009 in three Buller Communities – Westport, Ngakawau and Murchison; and most recently, in Karamea in the third term of 2011. In the two years of operation, we have trained 164 participants and given out 125 computers in the Buller.

The goal of Computers in Homes is to empower communities in low socio-economic areas to become active participants in the on line world. Families will be provided with a computer and an internet connection, 10-12 weeks relevant training and a year of technical support. The learning achieved enhances employment opportunities for adults and they will be better prepared to progress to further studies with other learning providers. Children enjoy access to the internet and email to enhance their school studies

Happily, in 2010, Prime Minister, John Key, announced further funding to ensure the sustainability of Computers in Homes and Computer Club programmes (including ours) over the next 3 years.