12. Question No. 12—Digital Economy and CommunicationsANNA LORCK (Labour—Tukituki) to the Minister for the Digital Economy and CommunicationsQuestion No. 12—Digital Economy and Communications12. ANNA LORCK (Labour—Tukituki) to the Minister for the Digital Economy and Communications: What reports has he seen about improved rural broadband?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister for the Digital Economy and Communications): The expansion of the Rural Capacity Upgrade programme funded out of Budget 2022 and a Labour Party manifesto commitment means around 30000 rural homes and communities will soon have access to faster improved connectivity. I was pleased to be at Fieldays last week to share this good news alongside the launch of Lifting Connectivity in Aotearoa which sets out a high-level connectivity vision for New Zealand over the next decade. This will significantly improve connectivity for homes and businesses and has the potential to boost economic productivity for those with a slow or unreliable connection across the country.Anna Lorck: What reaction has he seen following last week's announcement?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Our connectivity plan has won the support of Tech Users Association of New Zealand (TUANZ) chief executive Craig Young who said We've been proposing a 10 year plan for some time now so it's great to see this is now in place with some clear objectives and principles on how the Government aims to meet these." Federated Farmers have applauded the Government's rural connectivity ambitions. Board member Richard McIntyre said "While it's going to take a lot more investment on top of the money already announced we applaud the commitments made to [long-term] rural connectivity solutions". The expansion of the Rural Capacity Upgrade programme has also gathered praise from the Rural Support Trust stating that connectivity is not available to a lot of people so this is really encouraging. With more businesses online more people working from home and access to many health services the opportunity for greater economic growth is there and this Government is ensuring greater access for those in our rural communities.Anna Lorck: What other reports has he seen on improved rural broadband?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: More good news. The latest Crown Infrastructure Partners quarterly connectivity data shows that as of September 2022 86.4 percent of the population can now access ultra-fast broadband (UFB). That's up from 63 percent when we came into Government at the end of 2017. The member for Tukituki will be pleased to know that for the Hawke's Bay region the proportion of New Zealanders able to access UFB went from 57 percent in 2017 right up to 85 percent in September this year. This is a Government's that delivering for rural communities.Anna Lorck: What support is there for those living in the most remote communities?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: The Remote Users Scheme was launched last month and it will equip as many of our most remote households as possible with broadband for the first time. We think there might be up to around 5500 households who may be eligible to connect for the first time and this initiative which provides a grant of up to $2000 has been designed with them in mind. The Government has also made deals with the major telecommunications network operators to accelerate the roll-out of 5G services across New Zealand and improve rural connectivity. For the first time a spectrum roll-out of this type has placed requirements on those providers to prioritise rural and provincial connectivity. It is as important for wellbeing in our rural communities as it is for futureproofing our agricultural exports. As the global cost of living crisis puts pressure on New Zealanders and their families we know a reliable connection will make it easier to earn learn and socialise from home. It's just as important for our remote communities and this Government is finally putting them first."