TUANZ Media Release: Improving rural connectivity too important to give up on!

TUANZ MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday 24th May 2022

The last two years have shown the true value of high-quality connectivity as we dealt with a global pandemic. But while urban New Zealand has been able to deal with the changes without missing a beat, in rural New Zealand users have battled the same debilitating connectivity issues. The demand for uninterrupted, high-speed internet access has never been higher; if not addressed rural communities and businesses – will continue to be disadvantaged.

With the country now being in the orange traffic light setting, TUANZ is again hosting the Rural Connectivity Symposium for the first time in person since 2019. This event provides a forum where we can meet together to share stories, both positive and negative, of the state of rural connectivity.  

TUANZ CEO Craig Young says, “The topic of improving rural connectivity is still too important to give up on. 2022 will give us the chance again to sit down, reset the dialogue around the next steps for connectivity and imagine what could be if we saw continued real improvements to rural services.”

In 2022 TUANZ is partnering with the Wireless ISP Association (WISPA) to offer a two-day event around the theme of “Imagine if…”

Day One, Tuesday 14th June, will start with a WISPA member-only morning which will include their AGM. The afternoon session on day one will be a time to set the scene, including updating everyone on progress in improving rural connectivity since the last time we were able to meet.

Day Two, Wednesday 15th June, will then focus on the future around four specific ‘communities’ – on the farm, on the Marae, in the classroom, and on the move.

Confirmed speakers for the event include Hon David Clark, Minister for the Digital Economy and Communications, Graeme Mitchell, CEO of Crown Infrastructure Partners, Richard Mooney, Chief Strategy Officer at Vodafone, Antony Royal, CEO at the Interim Māori Spectrum Commission and Dr Wayne Williams, CEO of the 2020 Trust.

The event will be held at the Claudelands Events Centre in Hamilton on Tuesday14th June and Wednesday 15th June.

TUANZ invites people who work or live in rural communities, along with anyone interested in the future of rural connectivity to register to participate.  

For more information visit or to register to attend visit: https://tuanz.org.nz/rural-connectivity-symposium-2022/ 

Media are invited to attend and should contact the TUANZ CEO, Craig Young directly (craig.young@tuanz.org.nz)

ENDS

WHO IS TUANZ?

The association for the users of digital technology and connectivity.

We are the independent voice of our members and all users in a complex digital world. We know that access to technology is key to digital business and force for social good and we are here to help our members make sense of the digital future.

TUANZ has over thirty-five years of bringing the users of ICT into the debate about the future of the digital economy. Much of what we take for granted today around choice of service comes from the work we, with our members, have done and continue to do.

We are a powerful channel to decision-makers and developing leaders in this sector.

We have a highly engaged community of over 1,400 individuals working in our member organisations in roles that use or are responsible for digital technology.