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Internet connectivity has come to two marae in Northland under a Provincial Growth Fund initiative.
Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says Oromāhoe and Te Houhanga in Northland have become the first marae to go live, and work is now being done to connect Ngāi Tūpoto, Ngāti Manawa and Te Uri o Hina marae in North.
Another 11 marae in Northland are also looking to get connected.
He says connecting marae will help communities seize business and education opportunities, as well as help whānau stay in touch and Māori to connect with their iwi.
Northland is also getting New Zealand’s first three Regional Digital Hubs in Kaitaia, Dargaville and Kaikohe.
The hubs will allow people to connect for business development and support, and offer services such as free WiFi connectivity, co-working spaces and guidance on use of the internet for business and skills development purposes.
Improving digital connectivity was flagged as a key area of investment for the PGF as it is a catalyst for economic development and wellbeing, lifts productivity and supports the other investments Government is making in the regions.
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