One New Zealand, Spark, 2degrees, Fortysouth, and Connexa have released a new report that sets out a practical framework for improving rural connectivity outcomes, grounded in evidence, resilience, and value for money across fibre, fixed wireless, mobile and satellite, and not reliant on any single network type.

We know that for rural New Zealanders, connectivity isn’t a ‘nice to have’ - it underpins day-to-day life and work, and gaps in coverage can be genuinely isolating.

The report, Connecting Rural New Zealand by Flint Global, recommends that the next phase of policy focus on clear service outcomes and resilience, rather than specifying a single network technology.

It supports fibre where it is justified but cautions against a one-size-fits-all approach for the most remote and hard-to-reach rural communities, where wireless and satellite solutions can often deliver outcomes sooner and at lower cost. Different rural communities face different geographical challenges, costs, and needs, so a balanced approach that draws on the strengths of fibre, wireless, and satellite, and acknowledges the rapid rollout of new technologies currently underway, will often deliver better results than relying on one solution alone.

With households facing cost pressures, many businesses managing economic uncertainty, and Government operating in tight fiscal settings, it is especially important that further rural connectivity investment is well targeted and evidence-based.

The report recommends:

• Define the goal in terms of outcomes and user needs: speed, upload capability, latency, reliability, capacity, and resilience, rather than specifying a single network technology.
• Use a realistic baseline: rural connectivity outcomes are already variable and continue to improve as fixed wireless and satellite services evolve, so assessment should focus on incremental benefits against a baseline that is changing over time.
• Target support where it is genuinely needed: the remaining gaps are concentrated in rural and hard-to-reach areas where the cost curve steepens and market delivery is unlikely without support.
• Design programmes for value for money: competitive allocation, clear delivery milestones, and settings that support competition and transparency.
• Strengthen resilience: a diversified technology mix can reduce reliance on any single network path, especially in areas exposed to weather events and difficult repairs.

The report includes international case studies from the United Kingdom and Sweden, where policy settings tend to combine ambitious targets with practical recognition that the final proportion of remote premises may be best served through a mix of solutions, alongside strong value-for-money disciplines for any public support.

“Rural New Zealanders deserve connectivity that is reliable in practice, supports modern work and business, and is resilient. This report provides a practical framework for making good choices about where investment delivers the biggest real-world gains,” says Jolie Hodson, CEO, Spark.

In rural and remote areas, the goal should be defined by the experience people need, including reliability, latency and resilience, rather than by a single build type.

“The right question is not fibre versus wireless versus satellite. It is how we deliver the best outcomes for rural customers at the lowest practical cost, with the resilience New Zealand needs. One-size-fits-all doesn’t make sense, and instead we need a mix of technologies,” says Jason Paris, CEO, One New Zealand.

With tight fiscal settings, any additional public support should be tightly targeted to areas where market delivery is least likely and should be assessed against a realistic baseline that accounts for expected improvements in fixed wireless and satellite services.

“Fixed wireless, mobile and satellite services are quickly developing and improving. A technology-neutral approach means rural communities can benefit from world-class connectivity sooner, while fibre can still be prioritised where the case for it is strongest,” says Mark Callander, CEO, 2degrees.

For any programme that includes public support, the report points to the importance of transparent, competitive processes, clear delivery milestones, and ongoing monitoring focused on outcomes achieved.

“In a tight economic environment, it is important that any public settings or funding are targeted to genuine gaps and designed to deliver clear value for New Zealanders. This report sets out principles that can help,” says Nick Clarke, CEO, Fortysouth.

The report also highlights the role of resilience in rural connectivity planning, including how a diversified mix of infrastructure and clear long-term policy signals can help improve service continuity over time.

“Good rural connectivity depends on the right mix of infrastructure, smart programme design and long-term policy certainty. The framework in this report can support structured decision-making across political cycles,” says Rob Berrill, CEO, Connexa.

What the commissioning companies are calling for:

1. Set rural connectivity objectives in terms of clear service outcomes, covering both fixed and mobile.
2. Apply robust value-for-money appraisal to any further publicly supported rollout, using a baseline that reflects expected improvements in non-fibre technologies over time.
3. Use targeted, competitive programme design where support is required, with monitoring and evaluation focused on outcomes.

A copy of the report is available here: https://flint-global.com/connecting-rural-new-zealand/

Notes to editors
Connecting Rural New Zealand was prepared by Flint Global in March 2026 for the commissioning parties: Spark New Zealand Ltd, One New Zealand Group Ltd, 2degrees Mobile Ltd, Fortysouth Group LP and Connexa Ltd.

The report provides an economic assessment framework, international case studies and a principles-based policy framework to support decisions on improving rural connectivity outcomes.