The Government of New Zealand stated that its goal was to achieve 100 per cent universal access to optical broadband in the second phase of the national plan. By the beginning of 2022, 87% of New Zealand’s population will have direct access to fiber optic connections.
In the latest Speedtest global index, the proportion of optical fiber connections in the total number of fixed connections in New Zealand ranks among the top 8 OECD countries, and the fixed network broadband speed ranks 18th.

This report issued by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment does not specify the cost or source of funds, but it describes the idea of one of the most successful national broadband projects driven by the country in the world. The most significant feature is that the cost of public-private partnership is relatively low.
Since the launch of the Ultra High Speed Broadband (UFB) program in 2010, the government has contributed only NZ $2.68 billion (US $1.9 billion). Most of the funds come from commercial operators, especially Chorus, an old company that accounts for 69% of UFB connections. Local and community fiber service providers accounted for the remaining share. According to the report, New Zealand Telecom spends about NZ $1.6 billion (US $1.07 billion) on various types of telecommunications infrastructure every year.
In contrast, the National Broadband Network of neighboring Australia is fully funded by a specialized wholesale operator, which has spent the government’s estimated AUD51 billion in the past 12 years, and may face a deficit of AUD25 billion (US $1.68 billion) in 2040.
In the next decade, the main target of broadband in New Zealand will be rural areas. The report acknowledges that in most parts of the country, connectivity options are limited due to remoteness and low population density. New Zealand’s goal for 2032 is to ensure that “every resident and worker in rural and remote areas has the ability to access the connections they need.”
To this end, the Government has allocated NZ $90 million (US $60.5 million) from its COVID-19 Recovery Fund to upgrade rural networks to facilitate the connectivity of about 70000 rural sites. It has also allocated an additional NZ $15 million (US $10.1 million) to expand coverage and support “innovative connectivity options” in remote areas.
The other two main goals relate to climate change. In the next decade, the New Zealand government’s goal is to ensure that telecommunications infrastructure can support energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as “meet the country’s unique flexibility challenges”.