Federated Farmers telecommunications spokesman Mark Hooper said the organisation’s 2025 Rural Connectivity Survey, completed by more than 600 farmers in August and September, highlighted ongoing issues.
"Many of our members are telling us loud and clear that their mobile coverage is still patchy and unreliable, both on farm and on provincial highways," Mr Hooper said.
"It’s very concerning that more than a third of farmers say their mobile coverage has actually worsened over the past year.
"Farmers need telcos to step up urgently and provide solutions that ensure reliable service across the country."
According to the survey findings, mobile coverage averaged only 57% of farmland, a figure unchanged since 2022.
While more farmers were connected to 4G and 5G, dropouts remained widespread, causing major issues for everyday operations as well as health and safety.
"For example, farmers are required to comply with NAIT — a digital livestock recording system — but unreliable connections are obstructing that.
"What happens if a farmer has an accident on the farm and can’t get a signal to call for emergency help?" Mr Hooper said.
Internet access was now nearly universal (99%) but continued to frustrate farmers with variable quality, weather-related outages and high costs.
Wireless broadband use had slipped to 44%, while satellite services such as Starlink had jumped to 36% of respondents, up from 19% in 2022.
"Farmers are increasingly reliant on services like Starlink, but simply relying on an overseas provider isn’t in the best interests of the country.
"While many appreciate the coverage and performance they get from Starlink, that’s not a sustainable solution for New Zealand.
"Nor does it support the many small Kiwi businesses that are working hard to provide internet service solutions for their local communities."
Mr Hooper said fibre expansion was also now a critical issue.
"Fibre currently reaches only 3% of surveyed rural households, leaving most farmers locked out of the benefits urban people and businesses are enjoying.
"Access to fibre could transform rural connectivity, but right now it’s beyond reach for most farmers."
Federated Farmers said New Zealand urgently needed a national rural connectivity strategy.
"We need investment in an independent service to give farmers clear information on local internet providers, the best options for retaining a landline number and advice on backup power to cover emergencies," Mr Hooper said.
"It’s crazy that we’re still even talking about rural connectivity problems.
"I think everyone assumed the service would be so much better by now — but in some cases it’s even got worse.
"Both industry and the government need to take this really seriously."
The survey highlights growing concerns as traditional copper landlines disappear.
Only 40% of farmers now use a landline, down from 64% in 2022 and more than a third of copper users have already received disconnection notices.
"It’s really concerning that the vast majority of rural people about to lose their copper landline still haven’t found a replacement," Mr Hooper said.
"VoIP [Voice over Internet Protocol] doesn’t work in a power outage and mobile isn’t available on large areas of farmland. That leaves people feeling dangerously exposed." — Allied Media
