Nathan Guy: UFB rollout a boon for Kapiti business

It's back to school this week for my three children and around the country 765,000 students are returning to the classroom.

This year around 63,000 five years old will start school for the first time.

For most - just under 97 per cent - they will be well prepared through having attended early childhood education, which gives them the best possible start.

Using technology and online learning is a big part of schooling these days so it's fantastic news that ultra-fast broadband (UFB) will be rolled out to Otaki, Foxton, Shannon and two Kapiti fringe suburban areas by 2024.

This comes from the second, $300 million phase of the Government's UFB programme.

The Levin UFB rollout is on track to be completed this year, and most Waikanae and Paraparaumu households and businesses are already benefiting from access to some of the best broadband New Zealand has ever had.

It's great to see it now being rolled out for the smaller towns in our region.

This is something I've worked hard for as local MP to push for this Government investment and I'm sure it will be warmly welcomed by local businesses and the community.

The Otaki rollout could be completed by next year servicing over 6,000 residents.

It's not just schools that benefit. It also is a real boost for local businesses, helping them connect with the wider world.

It means that employers can base themselves here, enjoying the lifestyle while being better connected than ever.

New roads like the Kapiti Expressway and Transmission Gully also play a big part in this.

Overall $46.2 million is being invested in UFB2 for the Wellington and Manawatu-Wanganui region which includes Kapiti, Otaki, Levin, Foxton and Shannon.