Fast net for Hobsonville

High speed broadband will be run to houses in a new Housing NZ development in Hobsonville. Photo / Kenny Rodger

Ultra-fast broadband and underground power lines will run to the new houses and buildings at the Government's Hobsonville project in Auckland.

Vector and the state-owned business developing the greenfields site have signed a deal for the infrastructure services.

That will mean those who eventually live on the waterfront site will get quick internet and will not have to look at overhead electricity lines.

Up to 10,000 people are expected to eventually live at the site where about 3000 houses, schools and commercial premises are planned on the former Air Force land.

Sean Bignell, chief executive of Housing NZ Corporation's wholly owned subsidiary Hobsonville Land Company, said the ground work would start in October.

Phil Heatley, Minister of Housing, will be at the site on October 1.

Simon Mackenzie, Vector's chief executive, said his business would install the ultra-fast fibre optic networks to houses.

The site would have to be excavated for development and the majority of costs were in the digging rather than the laying of cables.

Bignell said the partnership between his business and Vector was signed after a competitive selection process.