[Local linkup applications closed for a bit, but now have re-opened]
Local Linkup - Low-cost digital equity fibre broadband. [Chorus area's only, Existing ONT required, financial means associated criteria apply]
Vetta Online in conjunction with Chorus have developed a special offering to benefit specified communities within NZ, to assist with allowing them to access fast fiber broadband.
Eligibility criteria includes:
Households residing at specified eligible addresses;
Households residing at an eligible Kāinga Ora address;
Households residing at an eligible Tāmaki Regeneration address;
Households with a child attending a school with a school equity index of 490 or higher;
Those with a community services card at a specified address;
The property is located in a Chorus LFC area, with a previously installed Chorus ONT.
The above eligibility can be easily checked by using the eligibility checker tool, at
https://www.vetta.online/local-linkup/#lookup.
Exclusive offering for those who are eligible, priced at either:
$26/month for 100Mbps download/20Mbps upload, or
$30/month for 500Mbps download/100Mbps upload
with unlimited data, a WiFi 6 router included, and no contract.
Flyer if you want to share with somebody who is digitally excluded
https://cdn.geekzone.co.nz/imagessubs/de505d9c7d20953897a980…
Hat tip to Geekzone:
https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=49&topicid=320…
For those eligible, this is a great deal. For comparison at 2 degrees (before bundle discounts) 100/20 is $65 a month, and 500/100 is $95/ month, both plus $5 if you want to rent a router.
Eligibility criteria is targeted to cover those with tight finances, and hence most likely to be impacted by the digitally excluded, but the financial based criteria are fairly broad. Approximately 720,000 New Zealanders have a Community Services Card, and add those with kids attending lower decile schools, and and living in supported housing (where they don't already overlap).
Note it only applies to Chorus fiber area's. Map here:
https://www.chorus.co.nz/help/tools/broadband-availability-m…
The need to have a Chorus ONT already installed is also likely a barrier. Potentially could sign up to a no contract full price plan with another ISP, and once the ONT is installed, cancel that plan and change to this one.
As always, this is a targeted scheme, if you are not eligable, please to not cheat / abuse. But if you are eligible, or know somebody who is, by all means go for it.
Could also be useful for those on lesser internet technologies (fixed wireless etc), to allow them to get the full benefits of the higher performance of our great UFB network.
Note that other ISP's are also participating in a similar program also.
i.e. Whanau Link (powered by Prodigi.nz)
https://whānaulink.nz/
Two reliable, no-strings fibre plans – tailored to your household size:
Fibre 50 Plan – $26/month
Recommended for up to 4 people – 50 Mbps download / 10 Mbps upload – Unlimited data – Free Wi-Fi router – No contract
Fibre 300 Plan – $30/month
Recommended for 5 or more people – 300 Mbps download / 100 Mbps upload – Unlimited data – Free Wi-Fi router – No contract
Both options come with full support and no hidden charges. It’s internet the way it should be: fast, fair and easy to access.
You may qualify if you:
Hold a Community Services Card; AND
Either:
Live in a Kāinga Ora or Tāmaki Regeneration property with an inactive Chorus fibre connection (3+ months); OR
Have a child enrolled at a school with an Equity Index of 490 or higher.
Eligibility requires confirmation of address and documentation. Signups are open until 30 September 2025. After that, you can join our waitlist while we await further updates from Chorus.
This programme is a proof of concept in partnership with Chorus. Pricing is locked in until 31 December 2025 for active customers.
They are doing email / phone applications, rather than a website, which may be easier for those without internet.
[email protected]
0800 PRODIGI (0800 776 344)
Yay all of CHCH low income earners!
You get to miss out since you are under Enable and not Chorus.
Why is CHCH the only main centre to have a differing company? I guess there is a reason. But really who knows.
It is a trial. So maybe will change in the future. But I wouldnt hold your breath.