Home internet access
We have a range of support available to the estimated 145,000 school students in 40,000 households who don’t have a suitable level of internet access at home to support their learning.
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- Equitable digital access: Internet for home
- eduroam
- Zero Data
- Digital hubs for communities
- More information
Equitable digital access: Internet for home
We are working with the Manaiakalani Education Trust on our Equitable Digital Access initiative. This project provides fully funded connections to ākonga who do not currently have access to a home internet connection.
To be eligible for a connection, ākonga must:
- be enrolled in a school and in Year 0–15
- not have access to an internet connection at home.
Schools and community groups can apply for student connections by emailing the Equitable Digital Access (EDA) team at EDA@education.govt.nz.
Find more information about the programme please see the Equitable Digital Operating System (EDOS) website.
Internet for home – EDOS(external link)
eduroam
We are working with Aotearoa People's Network Kaharoa (APNK) and Research and Education Advanced Network New Zealand (REANNZ) to extend the eduroam network to high schools and high school students.
eduroam provides a trusted network that students using an approved device/login can access for free. While the network is currently only available for people in the tertiary/academic sector, we are looking to open up access to your students to increase the areas your students can safely to access their schoolwork.
Schools can enable school devices to connect to the eduroam network using their single sign-in (SSI) so that students can easily get online wherever the network is available. We are also looking to add eduroam to existing school networks. This will allow visiting students, teachers and academics access to a trusted network on school grounds without needing to access the school wifi.
APNK is also working to bring eduroam to its libraries across the country and REANNZ are working with marae and local councils to grow the network further still. If you would like your school to be involved in this opportunity, please get in touch with the EDA team at EDA@education.govt.nz.
Zero Data
Zero Data is a website hub that enables New Zealanders to access important information and services without using any data.
Welcome – Zero Data(external link)
It brings together key government websites to ensure anyone can access essential information and digital services when they need it. The range of information and services available will increase over time as more government agencies get involved.
The hub is available to anyone using a mobile device connected to the Spark, Skinny, One NZ, 2degrees, Warehouse Mobile, Slingshot or Orcon mobile networks.
Digital hubs for communities
Schools, often in rural and remote areas, can choose to leverage their ICT infrastructure to become a ‘digital hub’ for their community.
How to get set up
The process to set up a digital hub is similar to setting up other kinds of third-party occupancy.
Here are the steps.
- Identify an internet service provider to partner with.
- Read the details of the policy on digital hubs.
Schools as digital hubs for communities guide [DOCX, 730 KB] - Agree on how you and your partners will work together.
- Talk to your local Ministry office to seek approval in principle.
- Download and complete the following forms from our our lease agreements and application process page:
- approval in principle form, and
- information required with application form.
Lease agreements and application process
- Complete the correct third party agreement. Your local Ministry office will give you the correct agreement to complete.
Important requirements to be aware of
Do not compromise your school’s own internet
Becoming a digital hub must not compromise your school’s internet. Your school must have access to the full data capacity and speed that it requires. Your school’s cyber security and filtering must also not be compromised.
Your school must not subsidise the service or service provider
Your school must not subsidise the retailer either by providing funds, power or maintenance fees as a result of the agreement.
Retain the right to change the agreement
You must be able to change the arrangement with the retail service provider (RSP), or withdraw from the arrangement with no penalty if the school’s circumstances change.
The Haeata Community Campus model
If you’re interested in providing home internet access to your students, read this starter guide.
Starting your project for home internet access for students
It’s based on Haeata Community Campus' ConnectED project, which provided home internet access for a number of students in Aranui, Christchurch.
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