Māori recognised as telecommunication sector leaders

Published: 02 February 2022

The Government has reached an enduring, long-term agreement with Māori that recognises Māori interests in radio spectrum and accelerates Māori participation in the telecommunications sector.

These interests include digital enterprise and jobs, healthcare, rural economy and connectivity, education, broadcasting, and revitalisation of te reo Māori.

This agreement, developed in partnership with the Māori Spectrum Working Group, is an opportunity to build Māori capability in spectrum-related industries and see Māori participating more prominently in this growing sector. The details of the agreement include an ongoing allocation of national spectrum and a role for Māori in spectrum policy making.

To carry out the commitments in this agreement, a permanent Māori Spectrum Entity will be established. Further information will be made available later this year.

The Māori Spectrum Working Group was established by Māori in 2019 to lead this work with the Government. In 2020 a short-term allocation of spectrum for 5G services was made to Māori, which acted as a stepping-stone to reach this enduring agreement.

More information about the process to develop this agreement, and the full agreement details, will be available on MBIE’s website in due course.

Read the media release on the Beehive website: 

Māori recognised as telecommunication sector leaders(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz

MBIE media contact

Email: media@mbie.govt.nz