The Story - Danny de Hek is an Internet specialist based in North Canterbury. His company, NewZealandNZ Limited, currently hosts over 15,000 advertised
pages on the Internet, at New Zealand's Information Network.
Danny was born in Christchurch in 1970. He grew up there before
choosing to leave school at 14, as academia was not his forte!
Hence he decided to head out into the world of work. After
sampling a variety of different jobs in the area, he favoured
starting a four year apprenticeship with Ray Martin Limited, a
local painting and decorating firm. After seven successful years,
Danny felt that he wanted a new challenge. Also, it was clear to
those around him that he had demonstrated entrepreneurial skills
and flair from a young age.
Consequently, he decided to go into partnership with
Michael Johnson and set up a painting and decorating business
specialising in highly skilled, interior techniques. This proved
to be a very successful joint venture. (The firm is still in
business today). As an appropriate leaving present, Ray Martin
(Danny's ex-boss) gave him a digital diary. This was to be the
start of his interest in computing. As a direct result he
purchased a P.C. for the business - a 486 SX25!
His current professional expertise of web site development was
largely self-taught with the help of Internet chat rooms and
personal contacts. He later went on to become innovative at
making computing technology accessible to the general public. This came about as a result of a meeting with Peter
Young, who required some design and decorating work for a new
café bar. By grasping a chance opportunity and utilising
additional space, in 1995 the very first Internet café in
Christchurch was started. With Peter as his business partner they
opened 'The E-mail Centre' on Worcester Boulevard.
Danny was determined to realise and succeed in his ambition to
develop a business that, essentially, would promote tourism
within New Zealand. With a backpack, laptop and a plentiful
supply of Smarties, he first sought clientele for the business by
hitchhiking throughout his beautiful home country of New Zealand,
drawing upon a combination of his knowledge, creativity,
charismatic personality and sheer effort.
After
building up his clientele, he aspired to network them and went on
to launch New Zealand's Information Network, which to date hosts
and promotes a large variety of tourism related services,
products and other businesses. Collectively, the vast majority of
users have found the sites to be both interesting and
informative.
From those humble beginnings he has nurtured and developed his
business into the successful, mature company it is today,
specialising in professional website development, marketing,
promotion and consultation.
Danny and his wife Rachael, work from their home office in North Canterbury accessing the Internet from a satellite.
Since starting the company, NewZealandNZ Limited has gone from
strength to strength and Danny has made numerous guest
appearances on local Christchurch television. In February 2000,
the nation's highly respected 'Holmes' television show recorded a
documentary piece featuring Danny, his business and the fight
against Cyber crime.
Not content to let the grass grow under his feet, in October 2000
Danny embarked on a worldwide tour of 25 countries. His aim was
to gain a wider understanding and knowledge of the International
Market. He also wanted to satisfy his personal desire to
extensively travel overseas, whilst promoting New Zealand
tourism.
While travelling he wanted to expand on an exciting
and unique idea for his business, by indulging his personal love
of Photography. Over the four month duration of his trip, Danny
took over 15,000 photographs.
Consequently, he decided to go into partnership with
Michael Johnson and set up a painting and decorating business
specialising in highly skilled, interior techniques. This proved
to be a very successful joint venture. (The firm is still in
business today). As an appropriate leaving present, Ray Martin
(Danny's ex-boss) gave him a digital diary. This was to be the
start of his interest in computing. As a direct result he
purchased a P.C. for the business - a 486 SX25! 
His current professional expertise of web site development was
largely self-taught with the help of Internet chat rooms and
personal contacts. He later went on to become innovative at
making computing technology accessible to the general public. This came about as a result of a meeting with Peter
Young, who required some design and decorating work for a new
café bar. By grasping a chance opportunity and utilising
additional space, in 1995 the very first Internet café in
Christchurch was started. With Peter as his business partner they
opened 'The E-mail Centre' on Worcester Boulevard.
After
building up his clientele, he aspired to network them and went on
to launch New Zealand's Information Network, which to date hosts
and promotes a large variety of tourism related services,
products and other businesses. Collectively, the vast majority of
users have found the sites to be both interesting and
informative.
Since starting the company, NewZealandNZ Limited has gone from
strength to strength and Danny has made numerous guest
appearances on local Christchurch television. In February 2000,
the nation's highly respected 'Holmes' television show recorded a
documentary piece featuring Danny, his business and the fight
against Cyber crime.