Five more regions including Katikati and Murupara will each receive $400,000 to set up new digital hubs to people to connect for business and accelerate economic development.
Katikati's Digital Hub administered by the Western Bay of District Council and the Murupara Regional Digital Hub, operated by Te Rūnanga o Ngāti
Manawa Trust are among
the five regions to receive grants.
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Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced the $2m funding allocation under the Provincial Growth Fund this week.
Gisborne, operated by Tairāwhiti Technology Trust, the Te Kateretanga O Kura-Hau-Pō, operated by Horowhenua District Council; and Woodville, operated by the Tararua District Council, are also receiving digital hub grants.
Jones said the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting lockdown showed good internet connectivity was crucial.
"While we were staying in our bubbles at home, a great many of us used the internet to work, shop, pay bills, keep in touch with loved ones, and learn. It is something many of us take for granted, yet some communities have limited ability to access the internet or the tools to use it for financial reasons or because of their location.
"Access to the internet is critical for regions' economies and wellbeing and will be even more so as we seek to recover from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The hubs will allow people to connect for business development and support, and offer services such as free wifi, co-working spaces and guidance on the use of the internet for business and skills development purposes."
Jones said rural communities such as Murupara had been "digitally discriminated against" in the past.
"Kiwis have learned the huge importance of the electronic highway. Perhaps of something of a technological tuatara but you have to admit that during the Covid experience it has heightened the importance of boosting access and most important normalising the exchange of ideas.
"We've gone to places that are well and truly off the beaten track. I have become increasingly concerned about digital discrimination and I think it was laid bare during the early stages of lockdown where a host of households in more isolated places are just not hooked up."
He said there would be many benefits in the areas, particularly for younger people.
"Without a doubt, for every single teenager in Murupara, irrespective of their economic background, this hub is free passage on to the electronic highway. It provides an opportunity to overcome whatever handicaps people might have in terms of using technology."
Jones said the $2m funding was on top the $3.6m previously announced for regional digital hubs in the Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay, Northland, West Coast, Hawke's Bay and the Manawatū/Whanganui/Horowhenua districts.
Funding for these initiatives comes from the Provincial Growth Fund's local digital connectivity funding package of $21m, which also helped connect marae to the internet.
Jones said the $2m funding was on top of the up to $15m announced last week to improve broadband connectivity to rural households.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council Mayor Garry Webber said: "As a council, we are so delighted that the business case we and Priority One put forward has paid dividends."
The hub was a "fantastic" boost for the Katikati community and would open up new opportunities for businesses, community groups, entrepreneurs, students and individuals.
"The ongoing benefit of this digital platform to Katikati and beyond cannot be under-estimated. It will help build the workforce to grow Katikati's already excellent business community," he said.
• Covid19.govt.nz: The Government's official Covid-19 advisory website
"It will give access to technology that will enable people to remain in the region and work remotely – so that we are retaining their skills and growing our resources. It will enhance the community's wellbeing."
Webber said the Katikati digital hub would be set up between the Katikati Library and The Centre - Patuki Manawa and they were more than ready to get started on the project.