Prime Minister, what does BMX mean?

CHRISTCHURCH, 10 June 2010 – Last night’s South Island Forum in Christchurch gave the people of Christchurch an opportunity to put their questions directly to the Prime Minister on a range of issues. In a world first, and true reflection of today’s technology, people were also able to submit their questions to the Prime Minister, the Honorable John Key via text message.

eHand, an audience response system, gave the audience the opportunity to type their questions, sending them directly to the panel, who were able to view the messages in real-time, putting them to Hon. John Key, who could address them immediately.

While the profanity filtering system was not required, some wayward messages did manage to be read out. The opening question was, ‘What does BMX stand for’?, which the Prime Minister could not answer until a lone man, possibly the question sender, said the answer aloud, much to the cheer of the audience.

Just over 50 questions were submitted by the audience via text, a sample of some below:

• Why is it that we still dont see an emphasis on things like financial planning and parenting at high school?
• Press innovation is a great way 2 build welth in nz. Wot r u doing 2 encourage and help new busineses. Esp start-ups.
• Press. Would you support a moratorium on offshore oil drilling until the completion of an inquiry into the spill in the Gulf of Mexico?
• Would you consider bringing in a law restriciting the horse power of a car an under 25 year old could drive on their own?
• I need an MRi scan - CDHB hospital waiting time 13 mths! world class healthcare looks a long way off?
• if Obama rang u and said "John, heard u are full of ideas, what the he'll do u think I should about Bp and the oil bursting forth ?" What would u say?
• Could you please ask TV-One to use a different fixed camera to show Chch, their current one shows a car park and not the best of our fair city.

eHand is a product developed by Christchurch start-up company Texsys.

About Texsys
Texsys is a Christchurch based company producing digital interactive communication systems. The company provides innovative customer feedback and reporting solutions to District Heath Boards, restaurants, libraries and other service orientated industries, and focuses on supplying custom made applications that are easier for the customer to use, benefiting the business through real-time analysis, reporting and insights. eHand is an audience response system developed by Texsys, to increase interaction and engagement with audiences.

For more information, contact:
Adam Hutchinson
Director, Texsys
adam@texsys.co.nz
Ph: 027 254 1118
www.ehand.co.nz
www.texsys.co.nz