High-speed fibre extending into three Far North towns

State-of-the-art broadband is coming to parts of Waipapa, Taumatamakuku and Kāeo, as a national programme to roll out fibre and ensure high-speed, reliable broadband reaches more provincial homes and businesses.

The fibre-build begins Monday 26 February along a section of Waipapa Road from Waitotara Drive to just before Bunnings. The settlement of Taumatamakuku near Moerewa is next, with work due to start there in May. Two areas in Kāeo will follow in July, with the town centre around Leigh Street to be connected as well as homes over the river on Cemetery Road, Turner Street and Omaunu Road.

Maps below show each area in more detail.

Extending the fibre network will be another significant step in reducing the digital divide between town centres and non-urban areas in the Far North and is supported by Northland Digital Enablement Group (DEG). FNDC is a member of the DEG, along with Whangārei District Council, Kaipara District Council, Northland Regional Council, and Northland Inc. The group’s focus is on supporting and enabling digital connectivity across all Te Tai Tokerau communities. Nothing But Net is FNDC’s key programme to achieve this. 

The extension follows completion of the Ultra-Fast Broadband programme in December 2022. This was funded by the government and saw fibre rolled out to 412 towns and cities across New Zealand. Today, nearly 1.4 million homes and businesses are connected to fibre. This latest project will add 10,000 connections to that tally, spanning 59 communities nationwide.

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Main photo - Kāeo's main street.

Below - areas around Waipapa Road will have fibre installed from Monday 26 February.

Below – fibre will be rolled out in Taumatamakuku in May.

Below – two areas in Kāeo are scheduled to have fibre installed in July.