Better broadband for more areas of CHB

CHB residents in Takapau, Ongaonga and out at Blackhead Beach and Kairakau will receive upgraded ultra-fast broadband

CHB residents in Takapau, Ongaonga and out at Blackhead Beach and Kairakau are next in line to receive ultra-fast broadband.

They are among seven residential areas and five tourist spots in Hawke's Bayto get improved broadband under the latest extension of the Government's Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) programme.

The residential areas are Bay View, Frasertown, Ongaonga, Takapau, Te Awanga, Waimarama and Whirinaki. Tourist destinations are Blackhead, Kairakau Beach, Tutira, Waihua and Waipatiki Beach. Four state highways will receive improved mobile coverage, with about 95km across State Highways 2, 5, 38 and 50.

It is unclear when improved coverage will be rolled out, but the entire UFB build in Hawke's Bay is due to be complete by the end of 2022.

More than 4000 households and businesses will receive new rural broadband coverage, with the exact coverage to be determined. Two key Hawke's Bay rural wireless broadband providers are merging to increase rural coverage, forming one of the largest rural internet providers in the country.

Taylor Broadband and WASP Broadband are matching government funding for a combined $1 million expansion of their wireless network.

Their contract was awarded under the banner of the New Zealand Technology Group and enable an extension of its network. New transmitter sites would provide world-class broadband at urban prices, Taylor director Ray Taylor said.

"As someone who grew up in a town, I used to think that if you choose to live on a farm or orchard you should accept that the internet isn't going to be good.

"But I have learned that the life we enjoy is powered by primary sector and the GDP they bring into the region. They should have every right to be connected like those in town."
WASP director Don Price said the companies' 10-year success in the region was thanks to the support of the hilltop landowners.