James Wards: Creating change, one 'byte' at a time

“Imagine a New Zealand-made computer, made by New Zealand kids, sitting on a retail shelf next to the biggest multi-billion-dollar technological manufacturers on the planet.”

Your Corps and Corps Core founder James Wards.

Invercargill man James Wards has developed a new computer system with, and for, rangatahi (young people), which is now patented around the world. Shaz Reece caught up with him and outlines his bold plans.

If you could see inside the head of Southland man James Wards, you’d probably find a highly tuned industrial machine in place of anything resembling the human brain.

It can be both confronting and exciting when he shares ideas from a mind that seemingly never switches off.

If you manage to keep up with him, these ideas become extremely easy to buy into.

“Imagine a New Zealand-made computer, made by New Zealand kids, sitting on a retail shelf next to the biggest multi-billion-dollar technological manufacturers on the planet,” James says.

He’s not talking about some far-off fantasy. He’s talking about the new computer system he has developed with, and for, rangatahi (young people), which is now patented around the world.

James is the founder of Your Corps, a multiplayer gaming programme which brings free gaming events to rangatahi, supported in part by funding from Te Rourou, One Aotearoa Foundation.

But what began as a response to a mental health crisis which had affected his own social circles, has now transformed into a social enterprise seeking to build future pathways, and support the aspirations of all rangatahi in Aotearoa.

“Our main business isn’t selling computers, it’s to provide more opportunities to young people. The idea is to employ rangatahi and tamariki to manufacture the computers, teaching them vital skills, and creating more job opportunities,” he says.

The Corps Core is an all-in-one portable computer system which, James says, has all the bells and whistles expected on any decent gaming setup, while being incredibly compact and efficient.

But more importantly, this computer adds enormous social value to the communities in which it operates.

With guidance from James, rangatahi are the ones who build these computers and earn NCEA credits while doing so.

“We’re working to get accredited training modules for kids in their own communities to get trained up to facilitate their own events. They would actually get NCEA credits for it! We’ve got three Unit Standards already out the gate.”

And to tick another socially responsible box, the Corps Cores are built from recycled e-waste sourced from anyone finished with their old computers. This model is a “turnkey solution” to many barriers faced by rangatahi, James says, and with buy-in from corporates, councils, and the likes, a more sustainable technological option driving better digital equity outcomes, which organisations can be proud to adopt.

“Anyone who sponsors us gets their logo all over a custom Core. There’s no terms on how long that sponsorship is. If you buy a computer, we’re going to use it at our events forever. We’ll never run out of space because we intend to get bigger and bigger.”

James dreams of an Aotearoa where kids are connected, equipped with technical skills, and supported to reach their potential. To him, gaming is a way of life; a social experience, a source of confidence, it drives a sense of community and achievement in rangatahi who need it most.

“We provide these young people a safe space and encourage them to be the champions they are.

We celebrate victories together; they’re all yelling and screaming and clapping. It’s the same feeling someone would get if they scored a try in rugby, that same celebration, but it happens every five minutes for the kids that aren’t often celebrated.”

The Corps Core will be available to purchase in 2024. To support Your Corps in any way, or for more information, visit https://www.yourcorps.co.nz/