The Government and iwi have co-operated on new cell towers, including near Ruātāhuna.
The Government and iwi have co-operated on new cell towers, including near Ruātāhuna.
Iwi, East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick and government agencies have welcomed the building of new telecommunication towers, including in Ruātāhuna near Te Urewera National Park.
Kirkpatrick spoke about the successful activation of the two new 4G telecommunication towers.
“Located in Ruātāhuna and Edgecumbe, the towers were erected by theRural Connectivity Group (RCG) under the Government’s Rural Connectivity Programme and went live on November 3, marking a significant step forward in improving connectivity resilience for rural communities in the region,” the National Party MP said in a statement.
“There are now designated areas to pull over and call for help in case of emergencies, which ensures vital responses can be activated when needed,” she said.
Tūhoe and Te Urewera Board said in a statement that they too “have welcomed the launch of the first of two 4G sites that will improve connectivity, safety and accessibility for the public in Te Urewera, with a second to be commissioned by Lake Waikaremoana next year”.
“Te Uru Taumatua (the Tūhoe iwi authority), the Manawarū and Waikaremoana tribal committees, and Te Urewera Board, have worked with the Rural Connectivity Group and National Infrastructure Funding and Financing to expand 4G coverage in Te Urewera and along previously unconnected parts of [State Highway 38].
“The first site has been opened in Ruatāhuna, in the heart of Te Urewera. Manawarū tribal and Te Uru Taumatua provided input on site location, which is an [NZ Transport Authority] road reserve, and design to minimise negative impacts on the land.”
Provision was also being made for communication for walkers and others who were entering the area.
“Te Uru Taumatua and National Infrastructure and Financing Co (Niff) have also approved a 4G site near the Whanganui inlet by the northern entrance to the Waikaremoana Great Walk.
“The new site will be built by the Regional Connectivity Group in the first half of next year. The site has been provided free by Te Urewera Board, and Tūhoe is contributing resources to the build with site clearance and transportation of the equipment across the lake to the site.
“Tūhoe, through Te Uru Taumatua and the Waikaremoana Tribal, have worked with Niff on design and location to minimise any negative impact from the structure on the land or the lake,” the statement said.
Te Uru Taumatua chief executive Kirsti Luke said: “Tūhoe and Te Urewera Board are pleased to be able to support this critical infrastructure, which will improve connectivity for local communities, increase safety for drivers and trampers, and support visitors in this unique and special place.”
Another view of a new cell tower near Ruatahuna.
Niff’s senior manager for communications and engagement, Tanya Hansen, said three marae would now be connected.
“Another fund that National Infrastructure manage is the Marae Drinking Water fund,” she said.
“This tower will help the overall connectivity to these papakāinga – including the treatment plants and soon-to-be-installed solar power that will power the treatment plants – for monitoring of them both.”
