MINA [ Mobile Innovation Network Aotearoa ] was officially presented in public for the first time at Bar Camp Auckland 5 (BCA5) on the 16^th July 2011. This year’s BCA5, attended by 240 people, provided MINA with an attentive audience for our launch, and an opportunity to receive valuable feedback and encouragement from the participants.

Two of MINA’s key objectives are to promote New Zealand – Aotearoa abroad and establish itself as an innovation mobile phone’s centre, and to bring ideas together in an engaging and collaborative environment, connecting both mobile creatives and mobile developers. According to the feedback we received on MINA’s soft launch, and the focus of the BCA5 panel discussion, we (MINA) feel that these objectives are perfectly in tune with the current trends happening in New Zealand – Aotearoa.

The BCA5 panel discussion was strongly concerned with change in the digital economy and the notion that the Internet can drive innovation and increase productivity. This politicised debate extends out into digital paradigms and new business models for a globalised 21st century. Working in a connected environment calls for new models and governmental strategies to be developed and put into practice. MINA identifies changes in the contemporary media landscape focusing on creativity as a driver for innovation.

While  New Zealand – Aotearoa is striving to become a nation of makers, in the digital economy creativity is a key asset to maintain international recognition. The sustainable model for the future is to not only focus on revenue generation but idea generation; an investment into creativity and access can enable an innovative nation.

MINA aims to explore the possibilities of interaction between people, content and the emerging mobile industry to support this vision for an innovative, sustainable and creative future. By connecting both mobile creatives and mobile developers within a network that aims to foster creative, technological and business innovation MINA can provide the link between technology and creative industries.

We enjoyed BCA5, met with great people and engaged in some very interesting discussions. We would like to invite you to join MINA or to invite your ‘m-friends’ to continue to develop a vision for (mobile) innovation in New Zealand – Aotearoa with us.