Feeble two bars just won't span digital divide in Tararua

Sharon Wards, left, Sharon RHANZ (Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa NZ) representative on Connect Tararua, MP Barbara Kuriger and Tararua Mayor Tracey Collis. Photo/Supplied

There's a question rural residents need to ask themselves: "Are two bars okay by me?"

No, we're not talking about local watering holes, but about telecommunications.

Surveys by Connect Tararua are providing some startling statistics that support a case being taken to central government for improved cellphone and internet connectivity.

"To date we have mapped 1311km of our 1956km of roads and preliminary results are staggering," Connect Tararua chairman Tim Poulton said.

"Bearing in mind the mapping we're doing doesn't include the three major towns, the roads mapped reveal that only 6.1 per cent have four bars reception, 18.4 per cent have two to three bars while, 75.5 per cent have no reception at all.

"We have used red, orange and green to illustrate the levels of coverage and the percentage of Tararua coloured red, gives the impression of a district bleeding.

"Preliminary data captured is showing a trend and while we still have some distance to go, the trends are becoming obvious."

The telecommunications survey being carried out by locals will provide data which will produce statistics to enable Connect Tararua to work towards providing a more resilient, reliable telecommunications service.

"We need to engage with residents living in all remote areas of the district to put together a strong case to take to Government. We need to determine cellphone demand by demographics and time, the current use of telecommunications accounts systems and the types of businesses across the district that rely on connectivity in order to function efficiently," Poulton said.

Engaging local champions to carry out the surveys in each rural area had been a key focus for Connect Tararua.

"We have designed the survey to provide base information about residents' current connectivity for personal and business circumstances.

"The surveys are targeting all households in rural Tararua, using multiple interviewers. With the diverse number of interviewers, when someone knocks on your door, you are likely to know them, which makes the process a lot easier.

"Information gathered will be collated and used as a district-wide summary to support the business case to relevant stakeholders such as Crown Infrastructure Partners and Rural Connectivity Group.

"Many Tararua District residents may be used to two bars of connectivity and possibly consider that this is as good as it gets.

"Is this a case of 'you don't miss what you haven't had'?

"Many opportunities are being lost because of the lack of service, no reception or two bars of reception is not acceptable."

The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment had a goal for New Zealand to be an adaptive leading digital nation, with a thriving digital sector in which business people and the Government are all using digital technology to drive innovation, improve productivity and enhance life for all, Poulton said.

"This cannot be achieved with two bars of connectivity. Many initiatives for health, education, agriculture, and social wellbeing are being rolled out across the country but often can't be used because of the lack of reliable connectivity."

Connect Tararua member Sharon Wards, and District Mayor Tracey Collis recently met National Senior Whip Barbara Kuriger at the Central Districts Fieldays to discuss the challenges faced by many isolated rural parts of the district.

"As a farmer working in a rural environment, Barbara really gets it," Collis said.

"And residents taking part in the Connect Tararua survey will help the organisation put together a strong business case to get the connectivity our district deserves."