Broadband in Māori communities

Māori living in urban and rural areas will benefit from both the Ultra-fast Broadband Initiative and the Rural Broadband Initiative.

The government has established a Māori Working Group, Nga Pu Waea, to help steer the roll-out of both initiatives which could have a huge impact on Māori development.

Ngā Pū Waea will advise on Māori interests and development opportunities in broadband to make sure Māori can take advantage of the benefits of the digital age.

Ngā Pū Waea will represent and facilitate the development of Māori interests in both the Rural Broadband Initiative and the Ultra-Fast Broadband Initiative, including investment and partnering opportunities, coverage and connectivity as well as trade training and employment services.

Ngā Pū Waea will engage with the RBI and UFB contract providers and other relevant stakeholders regarding: 

1. options for maximising rural and urban coverage and connectivity to marae, wānanga, kura, kōhanga, rūnanga, and other Māori organisations through affordable services;
2. trade training programmes and employment opportunities for Māori economic development through the deployment of rural and urban broadband;
3. relationship brokerage with Māori at community, regional and national levels to support, among other things, economic development opportunities (including investment opportunities), land access and the use of existing infrastructure;
4. opportunities to enhance Māori health, social and cultural wellbeing through the deployment of broadband; and
5. emerging issues identified during engagement with Māori.

Get more information about Ngā Pū Waea, including its Terms of Reference, through its Facebook page

 
Benefits of broadband to Māori Communities

Access to the technology offers Māori and other business users access to an international marketplace.  It is a huge opportunity for Māori businesses to transform the way they do business and create opportunities for both rural and urban Māori.

The technology also offers benefits to marae, kohanga, kura, wananga, iwi runanga, and Māori health and social services providers.  It will promote the use of te reo and create learning opportunities by bringing connectivity to marae.  The initiatives may also offer opportunities for training and employment as the network is built.

Recognition of Māori as an important stakeholder in this initiative means that meetings are reflected in a series of meetings to listen to the views of Māori communities.