Dunedin wins Gigatown race

File photo / NZME.

Dunedin has been announced as the winner of Chorus' Gigatown competition, winning the country's fastest broadband.

As the winning town, Dunedin would receive access to one gigabit per second internet, a $200,000 development fund to support entrepreneurs and innovators taking new services using the gigabit fibre to market and a $500,000 community fund to kick start community related developments.

The competition was launched in October 2013, with 50 towns from around New Zealand competing to become the country's first Gigatown.

Gisborne, Dunedin, Timaru, Nelson and Wanaka were announced as finalists in September.

Dunedin was announced as the winner by Communications Minister Amy Adams at a ceremony in Wellington tonight.

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull said the competition had inspired the Dunedin community.

"I would like to acknowledge the Dunedin community who acknowledged this campaign and gave it their all."

He also acknowledged the other four finalists.

"What and incredible battle we put up... the lot of us.

"A huge part of winning this competition will be about connection and collaboration with other towns.

"I look forward to the fruits of this win being shared and leveraged... Dunedin intends for all of us to enjoy its benefits."

The race for Gigatown had been truly outstanding and all the competing towns should be proud of their efforts, Chorus chief executive Mark Ratcliffe said.

"I want to acknowledge all the towns who have taken part in the Gigatown competition, particularly the five finalists.

"Their efforts have helped engage their respective communities about the potential economic and social benefits of ultra-fast broadband and laid the foundation to ensure their local communities can unlock these benefits."

The finalists were scored on a points system, 50 per cent of points came from the town's plan on how they would use the ultra-fast broadband for economic success.

Another 25 per cent came from using special hashtags through social media, and the rest came through other various challenges.