In a survey conducted in 2021, based on 2018 census data, the Whanganui electorate ranked 65th out 65 general electorates for digital exclusion.

As those who live in and around Pātea know, their town of 1200 residents suffers from especially poor digital connectivity. In an age when we have become more and more dependent on digital devices, everything stops when you get to Pātea.

It defies belief that you can’t get a reliable cell phone signal on State Highway Three in the middle of Pātea. The state highway north of Whanganui is peppered with mobile black spots, but Pātea stands out, for all the wrong reasons.

Connectivity is crucial to our businesses’ ability to get ahead, to our children’s education, to our resilience as a region, to our local businesses and to our local economy. Pātea deserves better.

Sign my petition today. I will ask for a meeting with the Minister and present her with the results of this petition to get Pātea connected.

As your MP for Whanganui, I am committed to getting Pātea and SH3 Connected.

Carl Bates
MP for Whanganui

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