Programme Goals
To create a reputation of the Far North as a tech friendly district with a skilled workforce, Nothing But Net aims to bridge the ‘digital divide’. We have five pou or pillars which support this:
The goal of Tūhono/Connect includes the Far North having a world class mobile and broadband infrastructure by 2023 and every school aged child having internet access at home.
The goal of Whakatipu/Grow is to challenge the pre-covid economic model and use of technology to create a new state of being that embraces disruption, collaboration and localism and has positive social impacts.
The goal of Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu/Speak Up, Speak Out is to create a district that is known to be tech-friendly, with a tech-skilled workforce.
The goal of Manaaki/Care includes helping our people to be digitally literate, as well as providing support to use that connectivity to improve care for each other, our culture and our environment.
The goal of Whakarato/Deliver includes the Far North District embracing new technology and connectivity to create great places and support our people.
Some of the key goals of this program include:
- Provide free community Wi-Fi at selected locations across the Far North.
- Increase infrastructure (including fibre internet connections) for greater reach, capacity, affordability, quality, and reliability of broadband and mobile coverage.
- Improve internet speeds for businesses, those working from home or working remotely from site.
- Embrace virtual reality and emerging ‘smart’ technologies, such as visual history boards in urban areas and tourist venues.
- Support online training and education, including enabling the older generation to upskill on computer basics.
- Share and foster language skills.
- Educate communities on protecting themselves and their information online.
Adapt how the council engages with communities online to improve service delivery.
What have we done so far?
- Delivered free public Wi-fi to Paihia, Russell, Kerikeri Airport, Awanui, Opononi, and Rawene.
- Developed a technology hub in partnership with the Ngawha Innovation Park.
- Collaborated with the Digital Equity Coalition Aotearoa (DECA) to advocate for Central Government and highlight disparities for connectivity and affordability across Northland and Aotearoa.
- Partnered with Taitoko FM to deliver fibre and improve local connectivity in Mangamuka.
- Partnered with communities to develop strategies to address digital equity in Northland.
What's next?
The Nothing But Net programme aims to create a community engagement plan with other key stakeholders in the Far North and Northland region. Next steps in this programme include:
- Planned additional public Wi-Fi rollouts. Proposed locations include: Mangonui, Kohokohu, and Kaitatia.
- Continued engagement with the Tourism Infrastructure Funding (TIF), as there is opportunity to deliver a Smart District.
- Continued engagement with elected members and community boards, as well as trusts, marae, and the wider community.
- Continued engagement and advocacy with Central Government and through the Tai Tokerau Digital Enablement Group to provide enhanced services across the far North.
- Developing a Digital Infrastructure Plan with governance and a framework to deliver Smart City solutions for the direct benefit of both FNDC and the communities we serve.
Why is Fibre so important?
- It’s the fastest and most consistent way to connect the internet.
- Lack of fibre in rural areas is growing the digital divide between bigger towns and rural communities.
- Fibre is expensive to install so creating ‘hubs’ at marae and school is an effective solution for remote communities.
For more information about this exciting programme and its strategic goals, you can view the Nothing But Net Strategy [pdf] document here.