Editing David Cunliffe (section)

==== Communications and Information Technology ====
Cunliffe served as an Associate Minister for Communications and Associate Minister for Information Technology from 2003 before being promoted to the primary portfolios in 2004. The two portfolios were merged into a single ministerial role in 2007.

As Minister for Communications and Information Technology he announced extensive pro-competitive reform of the telecommunications sector, including [[Unbundling#New Zealand|local loop unbundling]] and operational separation of then Telecom New Zealand.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00543.htm|access-date=22 March 2008|title=Cunliffe: Vision 2011 – Roadmap to the Top|publisher=New Zealand Government|date=28 June 2006|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920195505/http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00543.htm|archive-date=20 September 2012}}</ref>

In May 2006 Cunliffe was referred to the [[Securities Commission of New Zealand|Securities Commission]] by the [[NZX]] for commenting on [[Telecom New Zealand|Telecom]]'s future dividend plans,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.techday.co.nz/telecommunicationsreview/news/nzx-reports-cunliffe-to-securities-commission/8867/ |title=NZX reports Cunliffe to Securities Commission |first=David |last=Dickens |work=techday |date=17 May 2006 |access-date=6 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130223024950/http://www.techday.co.nz/telecommunicationsreview/news/nzx-reports-cunliffe-to-securities-commission/8867/ |archive-date=23 February 2013  }}</ref> causing Telecom's stock price to drop. The Securities Commission found that no law had been breached and no action was taken.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10382932 |title=Cunliffe won't be reprimanded for Telecom comments, says PM |website=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=22 May 2006 |access-date=1 April 2017}}</ref>

On 30 June 2008 Cunliffe was conferred the title of ''Honorary Fellow of the NZCS'' (HFNZCS) by the [[New Zealand Computer Society]], the [[professional body]] of the [[information communication technology|ICT]] profession in recognition of his significant contribution to the ICT sector.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/7A0A42B6729524E6CC2574730081E642 |title=Computerworld > Cunliffe to be honorary NZCS Fellow |access-date=9 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081018055502/http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/7A0A42B6729524E6CC2574730081E642 |archive-date=18 October 2008  }}</ref><ref>[http://www.nzcs.org.nz/tools/events/event.asp?SECT=wellington&ID=3061]{{dead link|date=April 2017}}</ref>