ISSUE
Friday, August 15, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 72
Auckland Council’s registration of interest to central government in support of improved broadband coverage will be reinforced by nearly 300 pieces of feedback from rural communities across the region.
The government recently announced additional nationwide funding to extend Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) as well as $100 million to extend the Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI) and $50 million to tackle mobile black spots.
Linda Cooper, Councillor for Waitakere and member of council’s Rural Broadband Political Working Party, says that the feedback overwhelmingly reflects community concerns over poor broadband quality in rural areas, which is generally slow and unreliable.
Feedback came from communities in Franklin, Rodney, Waiheke, Great Barrier, and Waitakere Ranges local board areas. More than 50 per cent of responses came from the Rodney area, the largest and most populated of the rural local boards.
Rural communities were asked to give feedback on:
• the extent of broadband connection problems
• how these problems affected everyday life
• the demand for broadband services in the local community.
The information will support council’s registration of interest to the Ministry of Building, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). MBIE will use the information provided by Auckland Council and other local authorities to decide how to allocate the funds nationally.
Auckland Council’s registration of interest to central government in support of improved broadband coverage will be reinforced by nearly 300 pieces of feedback from rural communities across the region.
The government recently announced additional nationwide funding to extend Ultra-Fast Broadband...
Auckland Council’s registration of interest to central government in support of improved broadband coverage will be reinforced by nearly 300 pieces of feedback from rural communities across the region.
The government recently announced additional nationwide funding to extend Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) as well as $100 million to extend the Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI) and $50 million to tackle mobile black spots.
Linda Cooper, Councillor for Waitakere and member of council’s Rural Broadband Political Working Party, says that the feedback overwhelmingly reflects community concerns over poor broadband quality in rural areas, which is generally slow and unreliable.
Feedback came from communities in Franklin, Rodney, Waiheke, Great Barrier, and Waitakere Ranges local board areas. More than 50 per cent of responses came from the Rodney area, the largest and most populated of the rural local boards.
Rural communities were asked to give feedback on:
• the extent of broadband connection problems
• how these problems affected everyday life
• the demand for broadband services in the local community.
The information will support council’s registration of interest to the Ministry of Building, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). MBIE will use the information provided by Auckland Council and other local authorities to decide how to allocate the funds nationally.
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