Iwi Backed Broadband Network Build Ahead of Schedule

Media Release December 9, 2011

Iwi Backed Auckland to Northland Broadband Network Build Ahead of Schedule

The first stage of an ultra fast broadband network from Auckland to Whangarei backed by Northland Iwi is now 70 percent complete.

Taitokerau Networks is owned by partners Te Runanga o Whaingaroa, Te Runanga o Ngati Whatua and Te Runanga o Te Rarawa with Wellington Telco Datalight Limited and will be completed in early 2012.

Crews laying the fibre optic cable have become a common sight along State Highway One and SH 16 North of Auckland and have now laid more than 120 kilometres of cable.

Datalight director, Roger MacDonald says an inaccurate report in the Northern Advocate based on information from an anonymous caller last week led to a misconception in the market that there was a delay in the build.

“There was a minor delay in processing an overseas funds transaction from Chinese based investors and someone got the wrong end of the stick and called the media, perhaps maliciously,” he says.

MacDonald says as professional companies Datalight, Taitokerau Networks and their build contractor FX Networks take great caution in their responsibility towards subcontractors and it was upsetting to see the media report appear based on a mischievous anonymous call taking a routine project matter out of context.

MacDonald says the minor delay in processing the funds was part of a transition of turnkey control from investors Axin NZ Ltd to CCSCNZ and has not delayed the project in any way.

He says with the network near completion, excitement is growing about the developing relationship with the companies involved, and the impact that the Taitokerau Networks will have on the Northland economy, and the wide range of projects it will enable that will stimulate the regional economy, and in particular Maori communities.

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