More towns to get high-speed internet

Up to 11 Northland centres will benefit from faster internet under a Government scheme to extend the fibre broadband network.

However, four communities put forth by councils for the scheme " Kaeo, Rawene, Ngunguru and Kaiwaka " were excluded from the shortlist for the so-called Ultra-Fast Broadband Fibre Extension Initiative.

In May 2014, Whangarei became the first city in New Zealand to have full access to fibre broadband, but Kaipara District Council chair of commissioners John Robertson said the efficiency of councils, emergency services and businesses in rural Northland was being held back by the lack of mobile and reliable internet access.

"Faster, more reliable connectivity is the single most important thing we can do for regional economic development."

He said he encouraged the Government to invest "more heavily and with more urgency".

Northland towns on the shortlist are Dargaville, Hikurangi, Kaikohe, Kaitaia, Kerikeri, Mangawhai Heads, Marsden Point, Maungaturoto, Moerewa, Kawakawa, Paihia and Taipa Bay-Mangonui. Two Whangarei communities (Three Mile Bush and Springs Flat) are also on the list.

Northland Regional Council funded a registration of interest for the initiative, which was put together by Northland Inc and included a survey of whether Northlanders were happy with their internet service " 86 per cent of the 1446 people surveyed gave a resounding "no"; 4 per cent were on fibre broadband, 75 per cent on copper broadband and 1.29 per cent still on dial-up.

The Government would spend $210 million extending the fibre network to more than 110 towns. It is seeking bids from infrastructure providers who may be able to carry out the work.

In finalising the towns on the scheme's shortlist it took into account growth, potential uptake and benefits, the cost of the required infrastructure and how councils would facilitate this.

Far North Mayor John Carter said he would not give up on the centres that did not make the cut.

Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai said she was pleased with the shortlist and that it was good to see the Northland council working together. Mayor Mai said the four councils were finalising a Digital Enablement Plan demonstrating the uptake of the fibre broadband would be facilitated if it were installed.