It's official, Queenstown's Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) build is now complete.
Over 7000 households and businesses are now able to connect to faster and more reliable internet.
Communications Minister, Amy Adams, says over 1200 connections have already been made to New Zealand's growing fibre network.
"The UFB build is New Zealand's biggest infrastructure build that's being delivered on time and within budget," says Adams.
"Queenstown is the nineteenth completed build and total investment is nearly $10 million.
According to Adams, six schools in Queenstown now have access to UFB, including the Wakatipu High Frankton Flats School which is still under construction.
"UFB helps amplify the tourist experience in Queenstown, as visitors can share their travels domestically or internationally," adds Adams.
"It also helps tourism businesses in remote locations to promote themselves and take advantage of New Zealand's tourism industry.
The rollout in Queenstown began in 2012 and since then, the government has allocated a further $360 million to extend faster broadband across the country.
Other towns now complete include: Whangarei, Te Awamutu, Oamaru, Cambridge, Tokoroa, Hawera, Ashburton, Blenheim, Whanganui, Taupō, Timaru, Greymouth, Masterton, New Plymouth, Tauranga, Hamilton, Waiuku, Rotorua and Queenstown.
There are now 19 towns and cities in New Zealand where the UFB build is complete. It is expected that by 2019 at least 75% of New Zealanders will have access to fibre, with UFB phase two extending reach by an additional 5%.
The bill to simplify UFB rollout passed its first reading in Parliament in July.
