🔌 Infrastructure & Technology Policy

"Mā te kōrero, ka mōhio – Through communication, there is understanding."

🌐 Background

In Aotearoa, essential infrastructure — from internet to transport systems — is increasingly privatised, expensive, and unequal in its reach. Rural communities, low-income whānau, and Māori are often digitally excluded. Technological infrastructure is dominated by profit-driven corporations, while public services are undermined by fragmented, market-based models.

The digital divide deepens existing inequities and limits access to education, employment, civic participation, and healthcare. Infrastructure should be public, accessible, and future-focused — not sold to the highest bidder.

🚀 Vision

We envision a sovereign, people-powered Aotearoa where essential infrastructure — digital, transport, energy, and communications — is publicly owned and community-controlled. Everyone deserves affordable access to the tools, services, and systems that enable full participation in society.

🎯 Objectives

• Guarantee universal access to internet and digital tools as a basic human right.
• Reclaim essential infrastructure from corporate ownership.
• Close the digital divide by investing in underserved communities.
• Use technology to serve social equity, decolonisation, and democratic participation.

📜 Policy Commitments

• Provide free or subsidised high-speed internet to all households, especially in rural, remote, and low-income areas.
• Nationalise key infrastructure sectors, including telecommunications, digital platforms, and strategic transport systems.
• Guarantee digital education, devices, and training for students, adults, and kaumātua.
• Ban privatisation of essential services and repeal laws enabling outsourcing of critical infrastructure.
• Establish a Te Tiriti-based data governance framework ensuring Indigenous data sovereignty and community control.

🛠 Implementation Plan

• Create a Public Digital Service Authority to manage access, infrastructure, and innovation nationally.
• Expand the Rural Broadband Initiative and equip marae, libraries, and community centres with free Wi-Fi and training hubs.
• Roll out a Universal Device Access Programme providing free laptops/tablets and training to all who need them.
• Audit existing infrastructure contracts and reverse harmful privatisation deals.
• Partner with iwi, hapū, and Māori tech leaders to build Indigenous-led platforms and cybersecurity systems.

📆 Timeframe

Year 1–2:

• Begin free internet rollout to all households
• Launch device and training access programme
• Pass anti-privatisation and data sovereignty legislation

Year 3–5:

• Complete full rural broadband coverage
• Transition telecommunications into public ownership
• Build 100+ free digital hubs across the motu

Year 6–10:

• Achieve digital equity across all communities
• Embed Māori digital governance as a national standard