Regional digital stocktake and state of play - June 2018 - Cultivate IT
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Regional digital
stocktake and state
of play
June 2018
Wollemi Consulting
Context and Objectives
Wollemi Consulting was engaged in January 2018 by Waikato Means Business in partnership with
CultivateIT and UltraFast Fibre to provide an evidence base for developing a programme of work to
increase the uptake of digital technologies in the region.
This “Regional Digital Stocktake & State of Play” describes the Waikato region’s current digital
assets, projects and challenges, and includes -
• A summary of the various activities and functions in the current ICT landscape across the region,
• the likely drivers of further development of the digital economy in the Waikato region, and
• how the Waikato region compares with peer regions within New Zealand and internationally.
The report was tabled for review by the CultivateIT board in April 2018.
Following on from this a Digital Action Plan was developed, and the two pieces of work were then
referred to in developing the Digital Waikato 2025 in collaboration between CultivateIT, Te Waka
and a Digital Stakeholder Group.
This document is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to re-use the work under that license, on the condition that you attribute Wollemi
Consulting Limited as author, indicate if changes were made, and comply with the other license
terms.
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Wollemi Consulting
Executive Summary
• Internet access in Waikato is at similar levels to the rest of NZ, with urban areas leading and
poorer, more rural districts lagging.
• Mobile phone use across Waikato is near the national average but Waitomo district is well
behind.
• Due to areas of low population density, Waikato has a lower level of fibre (UFB) availability
than comparable regions and the national average.
• However, where UFB is available uptake is generally above the national average.
• As in NZ more broadly, a “digital divide” is evident, and is strongly correlated with household
income.
• Waikato has a strong tech sector which is punching above its weight in exports and growing
strongly.
• Catching up to the larger regions such as Auckland and Wellington in terms of tech sector
GDP and employment would be hugely positive for the region.
• Local governments across the region have a wide variety of plans in place to build
community ICT awareness and, specifically, business uptake.
• Key sectors for growth include dairy/ agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and the Maori
economy.
Wollemi Consulting
Table of Contents
Context and Objectives ........................................................................................................................... 2
Executive Summary................................................................................................................................. 3
Internet access ........................................................................................................................................ 6
Forms of connectivity available, projection as at end 2022 ............................................................... 6
Internet connections........................................................................................................................... 7
By District ........................................................................................................................................ 8
Household income and Internet access .............................................................................................. 9
Mobile phone usage ............................................................................................................................. 10
By Region ...................................................................................................................................... 10
By District ...................................................................................................................................... 11
UFB deployment ................................................................................................................................... 12
Waikato UFB deployment by year including % of population covered ............................................ 12
2023 population outside UFB coverage across New Zealand ........................................................... 13
RBI2 & Mobile Blackspot Fund .......................................................................................................... 15
RBI2 Coverage areas ......................................................................................................................... 16
Digital Divide ......................................................................................................................................... 17
Social well-being ............................................................................................................................... 17
Digital inclusion ................................................................................................................................. 18
Tech Sector............................................................................................................................................ 19
Contribution to GDP.......................................................................................................................... 20
Employment ...................................................................................................................................... 20
Tech sector share of employment 2015 ....................................................................................... 20
Share of national Tech Sector jobs, 2017 ..................................................................................... 21
Employment Forecast ................................................................................................................... 21
Projected growth in employment 2017-2020............................................................................... 21
Exports .............................................................................................................................................. 22
Share of ICT Exports, 2015 ............................................................................................................ 22
TIN200 Revenue mix and 5-year growth (2017) ........................................................................... 22
Skills & workforce ............................................................................................................................. 23
Future of Work ...................................................................................................................................... 23
Key organisations supporting the tech sector in Waikato .................................................................... 25
Data centres & resilience ...................................................................................................................... 26
Existing data centres in Waikato ....................................................................................................... 26
Fibre companies .................................................................................................................................... 26
Telco Retail Service Providers (RSPs) ................................................................................................ 27
Wollemi Consulting
WISPs (Wireless ISPs) ........................................................................................................................ 27
Electricity lines companies .................................................................................................................... 28
Post-2019 telco regulatory model ........................................................................................................ 28
Population coverage by fixed access, 2022 (By Provider) ................................................................ 28
Local government initiatives ................................................................................................................. 29
Summary by key sectors ....................................................................................................................... 32
Maori Economy ................................................................................................................................. 32
Connectivity to marae ................................................................................................................... 32
Dairy, sheep/ beef & agriculture....................................................................................................... 33
Tourism ............................................................................................................................................. 33
Manufacturing .................................................................................................................................. 33
Health ................................................................................................................................................ 34
Education .......................................................................................................................................... 34
Non-Government Organisations ....................................................................................................... 34
SeniorNet ...................................................................................................................................... 34
Web Access Waikato Trust............................................................................................................ 34
OMGtech!...................................................................................................................................... 35
Wollemi Consulting
Internet access
Forms of connectivity available, projection as at end 2022
NZ Waikato region
RBI2 RBI gap RBI2 RBI gap
RBI1/4G 1%
3% 1% 4%
10%
RBI1/4G
18%
UFB UFB
86% 77%
UFB RBI1/4G RBI2 RBI gap
UFB RBI1/4G RBI2 RBI gap
Waikato is expected to have less fibre deployment per capita, and more dependence on wireless & copper connectivity than the NZ average
Note: RBI1/2 may include high speed copper broadband (VDSL)
Source: CIP, Wollemi estimates.
Wollemi Consulting
Internet connections
2013 Access to the Internet
Waikato had below NZ average levels of Internet connections in 2013 and there is a wide spread within the region
By85%
Region
80%
75%
70%
65%
60%
55%
50%
Waikato Districts Waikato Region NZ Other Districts/ Regions
Source: 2013 NZ Census
Wollemi Consulting
50%
55%
60%
65%
70%
75%
80%
85%
Wollemi Consulting
By District
Franklin LB
Hamilton City
Tauranga City
Source: 2013 NZ Census.
Waikato Districts
NZ average
Waipa
Western BoP
New Plymouth
Waikato District
Waikato Region
Papakura LB
Waikato Region
NZ
Taupo
Rotorua
Matamata-Piako
Thames-Coromandel
Otorohanga
Whakatane
South Taranaki
2013 Access to the Internet
Other Districts/ Regions
Stratford
Hauraki
South Waikato
Waitomo
Ruapehu
Kawerau
Opotiki
Household income and Internet access
Strong correlation between household income and % internet access across Waikato
Source: 2013 NZ Census.
Note – R-squared = .62
Wollemi ConsultingMobile phone usage
Waikato mobile connections were at the NZ average in 2013 and Waikato districts were closely clustered around average except Waitomo
By Region
2013 Access to a Mobile Phone
90%
85%
80%
75%
70%
65%
60%
55%
50%
Waikato Districts Waikato Region NZ Other Districts/ Regions
Source: 2013 NZ Census.
Wollemi Consulting50%
55%
75%
80%
85%
90%
60%
65%
70%
Wollemi Consulting
By District
Franklin LB
Taupo
Source: 2013 NZ Census.
Western BoP
Waikato Districts
Tauranga City
Waipa
Hamilton City
Waikato District
NZ average
Waikato Region
Waikato Region
Matamata-Piako
NZ
Papakura LB
New Plymouth
Rotorua
South Taranaki
South Waikato
Otorohanga
Hauraki
Other Districts/ Regions
Thames-Coromandel
2013 Access to a Mobile Phone
Whakatane
Kawerau
Stratford
Ruapehu
Waitomo
OpotikiUFB deployment
Waikato UFB deployment by year including % of population covered
Waikato UFB deployment by year 77%
150000
64%
56% 60%
120000
44% 47%
90000
60000
30000
0
Completed by 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
2017
UFF Chorus
Note: Calendar years. Sources: CIP, UFF.
Wollemi ConsultingPremises Deployment Forecast completion
City / town / area Partner District Council
covered phase date*
Hamilton UFF 57,243 1 Completed Hamilton City
Taupo Chorus 9,968 1 Completed Taupo
Cambridge UFF 7,763 1 Completed Waipa
Te Awamutu UFF 5,486 1 Completed Waipa
Tokoroa UFF 4,953 1 Completed South Waikato
Waihi & Waihi Beach Chorus 4,908 2 May-19 Hauraki
Whangamata Chorus 4,172 2 by 2022# Thames-Coromandel DC
Tairua Chorus 3,783 2 by 2022# Thames-Coromandel DC
Whitianga Chorus 3,129 2 2022* Thames-Coromandel DC
Thames Chorus 3,112 2 2018* Thames-Coromandel DC
Matamata Chorus 3,097 2 2020* Matamata-Piako
Morrinsville Chorus 2,981 2 2021* Matamata-Piako
Huntly UFF 2,852 2 Jul-19 Waikato DC
Tamahere/Matangi/Tauwhare Pa UFF 2,156 2+ May-19 Waikato DC
Turangi Chorus 2,080 2 by 2022# Taupo
Paeroa Chorus 1,921 2 Apr-20 Hauraki
Te Aroha Chorus 1,901 2 2021* Matamata-Piako
Ngaruawahia UFF 1,877 2 Aug-18 Waikato DC
Te Kuiti Chorus 1,792 2 2021* Waitomo
Putaruru UFF 1,787 2 Dec-19 South Waikato
Raglan UFF 1,618 2 Dec-19 Waikato DC
Tuakau Chorus 1,574 2 2021* Waikato DC
Matarangi Chorus 1,455 2+ by 2022^ Thames-Coromandel DC
Otorohanga Chorus 1,264 2 2022* Otorohanga
Kuratau/Pukawa Chorus 1,186 2+ by 2022^ Taupo
Ferry Landing/Cooks Beach Chorus 1,072 2+ by 2022^ Thames-Coromandel DC
Kinloch Chorus 967 2+ by 2022^ Taupo
Kihikihi UFF 951 2 Dec-19 Waipa
Coromandel Chorus 791 2 2020* Thames-Coromandel DC
Chorus UFB2 Fringe Chorus 765 2+ by 2022^ ????
Mangakino Chorus 757 2+ by 2022^ Taupo
Hahei Chorus 588 2+ by 2022^ Thames-Coromandel DC
Te Kauwhata Chorus 554 2 2019* Waikato DC
Ngatea Chorus 549 2 Oct-19 Hauraki
Port Waikato Chorus 479 2+ by 2022^ Waikato DC
Tirau UFF 447 2+ Dec-19 South Waikato
Pirongia Chorus 421 2 2020* Waipa
Acacia Bay Chorus 388 2+ by 2022^ Taupo
Whangapoua Chorus 386 2+ by 2022^ Thames-Coromandel DC
Mamaku Chorus 363 2+ by 2022^ Rotorua
Whatawhata Chorus 336 2 2018* Waikato DC
Parkdale UFF 318 2+ Dec-19 South Waikato
Rukuhia Chorus 281 2 2019* Waipa
Waharoa Chorus 273 2+ by 2022^ Matamata-Piako
Te Puru Chorus 269 2 2019* Thames-Coromandel DC
Temple View UFF 237 2+ Dec-19 Waipa
Meremere Chorus 233 2+ by 2022^ Waikato DC
Te Kowhai UFF 210 2+ Dec-19 Waikato DC
Turua Chorus 202 2+ May-20 Hauraki
Waiomu Chorus 200 2+ by 2022^ Thames-Coromandel DC
Piopio Chorus 196 2 by 2022# Waitomo
Waihou Chorus 192 2+ by 2022^ Matamata-Piako
Horotiu Chorus 192 2 2018* Waikato DC
Mokau Chorus 185 2+ by 2022^ Waitomo
Ohaupo Chorus 182 2 2019* Waipa
Pokeno Chorus 174 2+ by 2022^ Waikato DC
Taupiri Chorus 168 2 2019* Waikato DC
Benneydale Chorus 163 2+ by 2022^ Waitomo
Wairakei Village/Wairakei Chorus 160 2+ by 2022^ Taupo
Kuaotunu Chorus 132 2+ by 2022^ Thames-Coromandel DC
Karapiro Chorus 121 2+ by 2022^ Waipa
Matatoki Chorus 120 2+ by 2022^ Thames-Coromandel DC
Waitoa Chorus 119 2+ by 2022^ Matamata-Piako
Tapu Chorus 114 2+ by 2022^ Thames-Coromandel DC
Rotokauri UFF 112 2+ Dec-19 Waikato DC
Tauwhare UFF 107 2+ May-19 Waikato DC
Cambridge North UFF 104 2+ Dec-19 Waipa
Hautapu UFF 102 2+ Dec-19 Waipa
Taupo Fringe Chorus 101 2 by 2022# Taupo
Kihikihi Fringe UFF 81 2+ Dec-19 Waipa
Taupo Airport Chorus 1 2 by 2022# Taupo
Wollemi Consulting2023 population outside UFB coverage across New Zealand
Waikato projected to have the highest population outside UFB coverage. Almost 1 in 4 households not scheduled to have access to fibre by 2022.
2023 population outside UFB coverage
50% 120000
23% 42%
40% 100000
35%
80000
30% 25%
22% 23% 23% 22%
21% 60000
20% 17% 17% 16% 17%
14% 40000
5%
10% 20000
5%
0% 0
Waikato Region Pop'n notOther
NZ covered by UFB (#)
regions Pop'n not covered by UFB (%)
% of population
Source: Crown Infrastructure Partners
Wollemi ConsultingRBI2 & Mobile Blackspot Fund
New MBSF
coverage (State
Highways)
New MBSF
coverage Blue
(tourism)
UFB2+
10 tourism locations, 50km of State
Highways to be covered under the
Mobile Blackspot Fund.
• Crown Infrastructure Partners estimates:
• RBI2 will offer 9,281 additional end users in Waikato good
broadband via fixed wireless.
• Around 2,000 Waikato end users (~1%) will be unable to
achieve speeds of 20 Mbps.
• Only 5% of new State Highway coverage and 9% of new tourist
locations to be covered are in Waikato.
• Deployment plans from the RCG released in late May 2018 (see
next page), with build period shortened to end 2021.
• Some challenges with coverage maps e.g. BroadbandMap.nz does
not cover all WISPs.
Wollemi ConsultingRBI2 Coverage areas
While welcome, new coverage areas under RBI2 appear modest
Additional coverage areas include parts of Coromandel.
Source: National Broadband Map: www.broadbandmap.nz
Wollemi ConsultingDigital Divide
Social well-being
Waikato mostly classified as “Medium” for social
well-being. Uses the NZ Index of Socioeconomic
Deprivation (Dept of Public Health), University of Otago.
The index takes into account:
• PeopleDigital inclusion
Waikato is mostly classified as “High” for Digital Inclusion.
This index combines:
• Infrastructure - % who can receive broadband (2013)
• Access – have access to the internet in the household (2013)
• Skills – OECD PIACC (2013)
This index is a “blunt instrument” as a score of just 21% is sufficient to earn a
“Medium” rating, and needs further analysis.
Source: DigitalDivide.NZ (InternetNZ).
Wollemi ConsultingTech Sector
• Waikato has a strong tech sector* which is typically 4th amongst NZ regions, behind
Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
• Tech is ~6% of regional GDP but only 4% of employment. Waikato lags the larger regions on
both measures. → Catching up would add to the regional economy and local employment.
• However, Waikato generates more than its fair share of tech exports. Local companies
appear to have a stronger propensity to export, and this would reward further investigation.
• Revenues in the “TIN200” group of ICT companies are growing faster in Waikato than other
NZ regions.
Note: * Some of the data in the following pages, where marked, refers to the “Tech Sector”, which is
the MBIE/ StatsNZ industry category representing the total of the ICT Sector and the High Tech
Manufacturing sector.
Wollemi ConsultingContribution to GDP
• Waikato’s Tech Sector makes up 6% of regional GDP, below the NZ average of 8%.
• If Waikato could match the national average, this would add ~$350m to the region’s GDP.
Tech
Tech sector GDP as % of sector
total GDP, 2015 GDP as % of total GDP
Gisborne
Southland Total NZ
West Coast
Marlborough Waikato
Northland
Other Regions
Otago
Hawke's Bay
Nelson, Tasman
Manawatu-Whanganui
Taranaki
Bay of Plenty 4.7%
Waikato 5.9%
New Zealand 8.0%
Canterbury 9.1%
Wellington 9.8%
Auckland 11.6%
0.0% 2.0% 4.0% 6.0% 8.0% 10.0% 12.0%
Employment
Tech sector GDP as % of total GDP
Tech sector share of employment 2015
Gisborne
Southland Total NZ
West Coast
Marlborough Waikato
Northland
Other Regions
Otago
Hawke's Bay
Nelson, Tasman
Manawatu-Whanganui
Taranaki
Bay of Plenty 4.7%
Waikato 5.9%
New Zealand 8.0%
Canterbury 9.1%
Wellington 9.8%
Auckland 11.6%
0.0% 2.0% 4.0% 6.0% 8.0% 10.0% 12.0%
Sources: NZIER, MBIE, StatsNZ via Figure.NZ.
Wollemi ConsultingShare of national Tech Sector jobs, 2017
Just over 6% of all NZ Tech Sector jobs are in Waikato (whereas the region has 8.6% of all jobs),
suggesting Waikato hasShare
scope toof Tech
grow Sector jobs, 2017
ICT employment.
15.2%
3.9%
39.6%
6.1%
10.8%
24.4%
Auckland Wellington Canterbury Waikato Bay of Plenty Other
Employment Forecast
• MBIE projects Waikato will have slightly above average growth in employment both in the tech
sector and throughout the economy in the period 2017-2020.
• Such growth would not be sufficient for the Waikato tech sector to catch up with eg Auckland.
Employment
Projected growth in employment growth: 2017-20 forecast
2017-2020
West Coast
Gisborne
Otago
Southland
Hawke's Bay
Tasman
Nelson
Northland
Manawatu & Wanganui
Bay of Plenty
Marlborough
Taranaki
Waikato
New Zealand
Canterbury
Wellington
Auckland
0.0% 1.0% 2.0% 3.0% 4.0% 5.0% 6.0%
NZ Waikato Other Regions
Tech Sector Employment Total Employment
Tech Sector Employment
Total Employment
Sources: MBIE via Figure.NZ
Wollemi ConsultingExports
Waikato punches above its weight in ICT exports, with 7.7% of exports compared with 6% of persons
employed in the Tech Sector.
Share of ICT Exports, 2015
Share of ICT Exports, 2015
15.3%
4.6%
44.9%
7.7%
10.9%
16.7%
Auckland Canterbury Wellington Waikato Bay of Plenty Other
Sources: NZIER/ Stats NZ via Figure.NZ
TIN200 Revenue mix and 5-year growth (2017)
Hamilton* and Central* have lower 5 year growth than other regions. Revenue mix is more High
Tech Manufacturing rather than ICT.
* TIN100 classifies South Waikato in “Central”
Source: Tin100.com
Wollemi ConsultingHowever, Hamilton* had the highest 2017 revenue growth of any region (22%)
* TIN100 classifies South Waikato in “Central”
Source: Tin100.com
Skills & workforce
• Nationwide, in 2016 the Tech Sector:
o Employed 120,000+ people and added 14,000 jobs in the year.
o But only 5,090 new ICT graduates, and 5,500 foreign workers on technology-related visa
➔ likely to be a shortfall.
o >14,000 students studying ICT at tertiary level, increasing 3% p.a.
o Popular roles: Machine learning, software development, data analysis and architecture.
o Any skills shortage does not appear to be uniform.
o Job switching higher than other professions.
o Employers tend to under-invest in training & development.
o Only ~30% of professionals being female.
o Maori and Pasifika also under-represented.
• A Waikato view of these statistics has been sought and will be added if available.
Future of Work
• Attributes of the Waikato economy:
o Many jobs are exposed to technology disruption (one national estimate: 55%);
o Much of the workforce is in low value roles; and
o Some groups are not fully included in some sectors (e.g. Maori in the ICT sector)
• The Government’s Future of Work Commission describes its desire to drive a shift:
Wollemi Consultingo From low value to high value work, for example through improved support for R&D;
o From a focus on full-time jobs towards a more flexible and fluid workforce;
o To respond to and harness technology advances such as cloud computing, big data,
sensor networks, automation etc.;
o To improve the resilience of the NZ economy through diversification & upskilling;
o With a “just transition” from current to future modes of operation
• The Government has described a future economy which is more Inclusive, Resilient, and
Adaptable.
• This dovetails well with Waikato stakeholders’ views on their desired future state for the region.
Wollemi ConsultingKey organisations supporting the tech sector in Waikato
• Waikato hosts support organisations at each level of the value chain
• The region has 4 co-working facilities (3 in Hamilton, 1 in Taupo)
• While the region appears to lack dedicated venture capital firms, market for VC investment appears national (Auckland-led) rather than regional, and
local start-ups have been able to access VC
• Enterprise Angels investment network operates in Waikato but is based in Tauranga
Source: TIN/ MBIE “Investors’ Guide to the Technology Sector”, 2017.
Wollemi ConsultingData centres & resilience
• Waikato is a natural home for future data centre/ cloud computing infrastructure due to its
geological stability and central location
• Waikato can also provide a stable, secure location for failover facilities such as contact centre
overflow
• New Zealand’s vulnerability to natural disasters of various kinds may work to Waikato’s
advantage!
Existing data centres in Waikato
Datacentre Location
Kapua/Datacom Hamilton
Data Vault Hamilton
WaikatoOne Waikato Innovation Park
Spark Digital Hamilton
Fibre companies
• Waikato is covered by 2 Ultra Fast Broadband companies: UFF and Chorus.
• Handovers from both UFF and Chorus’s local fibre access networks to major providers such as
Spark and Vodafone are already in place at Hamilton.
Towns covered by UFB2/2+ will have world-class connectivity within a few years.
Wollemi ConsultingTelco Retail Service Providers (RSPs)
• Parts of Waikato with fibre or copper access have plenty of choices of Retail Service Provider.
• In practice UFB areas have higher competition as fibre deployment is a churn event for
providers.
• Communities outside fixed network coverage have fewer choices.
Source: UFF, Chorus, BroadbandCompare.co.nz
WISPs (Wireless ISPs)
• A variety of WISPs provide service in rural parts of Waikato, with Lightwire by far the largest.
• WISPs can offer broadband to households outside fixed line coverage.
• Only AoNet has secured RBI2 funding for a small deployment in King Country.
• 4 of the 7 Waikato WISPs are not on BroadbandMap.nz, making coverage difficult to interrogate
Wollemi ConsultingElectricity lines companies
• Waikato is covered by 6 different electricity lines companies.
• Two of these firms (WEL and Waipa) co-own UFF.
• Another (Unison) owns its own Fibre to the Home network available in parts of Taupo.
• Any “Fibre to the Farm” efforts could utilise rights of access over electricity lines.
• But diverse lines companies pose a challenge.
Source: Electricity Networks Association: http://ena.org.nz/lines-company-map/
Post-2019 telco regulatory model
Post-2019 regulation of telecommunications in Waikato will look quite different from the rest of NZ
Population coverage by fixed access, 2022 (By Provider)
New Zealand Waikato
NZ pop'n coverage by fixed line access, 2022 Waikato pop'n coverage by fixed access, 2022
1%
12% 1% 22%
34%
24%
63%
43%
Chorus fibre LFC fibre Chorus copper Other
Chorus fibre LFC fibre Chorus copper Other
Access Provider Regulated
Fibre Chorus Price regulated. Legacy copper not regulated.
Fibre LFC’s Not price regulated. Legacy copper not regulated.
Copper Chorus Price regulated.
N/A None Not regulated
Wollemi ConsultingLocal government initiatives
District Summary
Hamilton City • In late 2015 submitted a Digital Enablement plan which updated the earlier 2009 Digital Hamilton Strategy. Key initiatives
were to:
o Promote business uptake;
o Support regional initiatives and collaboration;
o Support awareness-raising initiatives, including health and education; and
o Review Council’s own ICT services.
• Cloud-based ICT infrastructure in place.
• Now well-advanced with its own Smart Cities programme
• Key institutions University of Waikato & Wintec have major roles to play in helping the city reach its potential as a regional
ICT powerhouse.
Waikato District • This diverse and growing district includes areas experiencing rapid population growth spilling over from both Auckland and
Hamilton, tourist destinations like Raglan, established towns like Huntly and Ngaruawahia, and a substantial rural fringe.
• Council’s overall plan is to “to be the most engaged community in NZ by 30 June 2020”.
• As part of this, the 2015 Digital Enablement Plan stated an ambition for Waikato to be “the most digitally connected district
in NZ”.
• The Council aims to reduce the digital divide, encourage broadband uptake and improve government services online.
• Council is well-engaged in supporting the UFB2 rollout, and also supports community connectivity through the APNK
initiative in local libraries as well as other intiatives.
Waipa • Strong sector for agriculture, & dairy in particular.
• Key towns Cambridge and Te Awamutu already have fibre available, while smaller centres such as Kihikihi and Pirongia are
to be built in coming years.
• Council’s “Future Waipa” website won several ALGIM awards in 2015.
• Details of Council’s Digital Enablement plan and subsequent activities are currently being investigated.
Hauraki • This small district supported a #GetDigital programme in late 2016.
Wollemi ConsultingDistrict Summary
• This project aimed to help small businesses with everything from getting a Facebook page or setting up a website to
engaging with Government via “RealMe”.
• Supporting Chorus in running community awareness workshops in Waihi in April 2018, as UFB deployment is about to
commence.
Matamata-Piako • This District is a powerhouse in the dairy industry.
• This has brought leading edge ICT developments such as Spark’s Internet of Things (LoRa) trials and “fenceless farming tech”
company Halter.
• In a 2015 survey, 56% of businesses believed they were restricted by poor broadband. However, Matamata and
Morrinsville are not scheduled to receive UFB until approximately 2020.
• Digital Enablement plan proposed:
• Free public WiFi at the 3 major libraries;
• Establishing a “Digital Steering Group”;
• Appointing a “Digital Champion” for the district;
• Developing communications material to build community awareness;
• Expanding the Morrinsville Training Centre for computer training; and
• Increasing support for SeniorNet.
• In March 2018 used augmented reality tech to create “Magical Parks” as part of Parks Week in the 3 major centres.
Thames-Coromandel • Thames-Coromandel is a tourism mecca, but Council describes the seasonality of tourism as a “boom-and-bust” cycle.
• Council sees ICT and broadband as way to encourage people to relocate permanently to the district, reducing the effect of
the “boom-and-bust”.
• In late 2015 submitted one of the most comprehensive Digital Enablement Plans. This indicated a willingness to:
• Accelerate consenting for broadband deployment;
• Support programmes to increase awareness and uptake of improved ICT and broadband throughout the district; and
• Co-invest alongside industry and central Government
• The district is vulnerable to natural disasters and, being a peninsula, is geographically isolated along State Highway 25.
South Waikato • Council deployed free public WiFi and improved CCTV in the Tokoroa CBD in 2017.
• Building consent processes also went entirely online in mid-2017.
• Tokoroa already has fibre available throughout.
Wollemi ConsultingDistrict Summary
• Council is assisting UFF in communicating with residents in Putaruru where fibre deployment is commencing.
Taupo • In late 2015 submitted a brief Digital Enablement plan which expressed interest in working with other Councils on industry
events, digital showcases and educational materials.
• Has for some years livestreamed Council meetings.
• Launched a new “e-District Plan” in 2017, allowing properties queries from land-use zone to sun angles via a single
interface.
• Key sectors include tourism, agriculture (especially dairy), forestry & wood-processing and geothermal energy.
Otorohanga • Second smallest district in Waikato, with population just over 10,000.
• Already has some Fibre to the Home due to Chorus deployment in private subdivisions in recent years.
• Together with Waitomo DC, has commenced publishing “DigiTalk”, a one-page newsletter for local businesses on ICT –
aiming to raise awareness and increase uptake
Waitomo • Smallest district in Waikato, with population just under 10,000.
• In late 2015 submitted a Digital Enablement plan which would:
• Promote community awareness of broadband and ICT;
• Co-ordinate technology and training days;
• Extend computer hubs to locations outside Te Kuiti; and
• Consider introducing free Wi-Fi in commercial zones and high volume tourist visitor spots.
• Purchase in early 2018 of King Country Energy by a consortium including Trustpower may prove important:
• Trustpower intends to purchase the retail customer base of KCE;
• Trustpower has been an active participant in broadband in recent years, and could offer KCE’s electricity customers
attractive plans to improve their broadband.
Rotorua • A small portion of Rotorua District Council area lies within the Waikato Region.
• As one would expect the Rotorua digital enablement plan had a heavy focus on tourism.
Wollemi ConsultingSummary by key sectors
Maori Economy
• The Waikato region has strong iwi, the second-highest Maori population of any region, and a
highly successful Maori business culture.
• However, nationwide, only 68% of Maori-identifying households were connected to the internet
in 2015 (NZ average: 83%).
• Maori are less likely than the national average to be studying in the ICT sector or to be employed
in it.
• The 2018 Waikato Maaori ED plan includes several initiatives:
• To establish an online presence to disseminate information & business support;
• To advertise to whaanau how to access online material, mentoring, financial literacy tools and
other services; and
• To create a portal & online directory for Maaori businesses in Waikato Region
Source: Waikato Maaori Economic Action Plan and Agenda, February 2018.
Connectivity to marae
• There are ~190 marae in Waikato region.
• Connectivity to each marae is variable:
o A number of remote towns have poor connectivity to their marae.
▪ E.g. Kawhia (Maketu marae) ADSL1, outside UFB2+ & RBI2.
o Data from Maori Maps is in the process of being validated.
• Marae have the potential to be “wired” for community usage, with benefits especially in two
circumstances:
o Urban communities with low ICT uptake due to low incomes e.g. Otangarei1,
Whangarei
o Remote rural locations e.g. Mitimiti2 (Matihetihe marae), Northland
Notes: (1) See https://www.crowninfrastructure.govt.nz/wired-marae-brings-better-connections-
whangarei-community/ (2) See https://www.mitimiti.nz/mitimiti-on-the-grid
Source: Maori Maps (www.maorimaps.com)
Wollemi ConsultingDairy, sheep/ beef & agriculture
At 6.8% of GDP, primary production is twice as important in Waikato as to NZ as a whole. More
effective ICT usage can improve productivity, reduce costs and add value to primary products.
Tourism
A well-developed sector in Waikato, with multiple attractions and huge national and international
visitor numbers. Better tech usage can improve tourist experience, add value and grow new
markets.
Manufacturing
This large sector accounts for 1 in every 7 dollars in the Waikato economy. High-value manufacturing
is already well-established. ICT can further improve operations, reduce costs and reach international
markets.
Wollemi ConsultingHealth
• The health sector is highly complex and faces a range of challenges (e.g. financial, strategic,
policy, regulatory, HR) inhibiting optimal uptake of ICT.
• Telehealth as a whole is at an early stage of development in NZ.
• At Waikato DHB:
o Use of the SmartHealth app will be discontinued in May 2018, after high launch costs,
low uptake and claims alternatives offer superior functionality;
o A virtual renal service offers care to patients from Raglan to Gisborne without leaving
their hometowns
Education
• Of 301 schools across Waikato (as at 2016), all but 2 have access to fibre.
• The two without fibre are:
o Waikaretu School, near Nikau Caves, Waikato District
o Whareorino School, Waitomo District
• The vast majority (~99%) are now connected to Network 4 Learning (Wide Area Network for
schools with high speed access, unlimited data and other features such as firewalling and
filtering)
• There is increasing evidence that, properly implemented, e-learning increases student
engagement and improves learning outcomes.
• E-learning is growing throughout the region. For example:
o The ConnectED Cluster1 has expanded from an ICTPD group in Hamilton
and now includes over 30 schools;
o Volcanics2 is a South Waikato e-learning cluster, where 10 schools
collaborate to offer students classes via video-conference.
Notes: See 1. www.connected.org.nz 2. www.volcanics.school.nz
Non-Government Organisations
SeniorNet
• Focus on helping seniors access the internet, devices, key applications, social media etc.
• 13 branches across region:
• 1 branch in each of the following Districts: Waikato, Hamilton, Waipa, Hauraki,
Matamata-Piako, South Waikato, Taupo, Waitomo
• 5 sites in Thames-Coromandel District.
• Covers most major towns but not Te Awamutu, Otorohanga, Tokoroa, Thames, Waihi.
Web Access Waikato Trust
• Focus on helping families access the internet.
• Well-established local partner of 2020 Trust/ Computers in Homes.
• Has 20 established partners across the region:
o 6 marae/ communities centres
o 4 schools,
o 4 libraries,
o 2 health centres
o 4 other (churches, businesses)
• Aiming to form 5 new MoUs at present.
• Distributes Spark Jump & Computers In Homes.
Wollemi Consulting• Discontinuation of Computers In Homes funding in 2017 has affected programmes.
OMGtech!
• Focus on enabling youth, with a strong Maori world view.
• Runs coding clubs, workshops etc. with technologies ranging from Virtual Reality to game
development to digital fabrication.
• Funded by TPK and Ka Hao (Maori ICT/ digital investment fund).
• Commenced in Waikato in Sept 2017.
• Operating in Ngaruawahia and Huntly.
• Seeking to expand to a further 3 locations.
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