Internet has become an essential part of our everyday life. be it school work, job searching, social media or the chance to sit back, relax and watch some tv while you have the chance.
Chorus have released a plan that hopes to make that access easy for those struggling to afford the cost of having internet access at home.
As with everything, there are strict conditions that have to be meet to ensure those truly in need can get the assistance they require.
Equity Fibre offers affordable, reliable broadband to help low-income households get connected for education, work, and other essential services.
Equity Fibre 100 (100mbps/20mbps) is designed to provide affordable, reliable broadband access for households that need it most – particularly those at risk of digital exclusion. By offering reliable fibre connectivity at a significantly reduced cost, this initiative helps low-income families get connected for education, work, and essential online services.
This plan is part of Chorus’s commitment to helping bridge the digital divide and supporting communities across New Zealand. For those customers who do not meet eligibility requirements have access to our other cost effect plans, specifically our basic plan – the Standard Chorus Home Fibre Starter plan 100/20 ($59pm) or our faster Chorus standard fibre plan 500/100 ($79pm).
With this plan, like all our plans, we also provide on-site support when assistance is needed within the Wellington Region.
If you dont already have a router, we can assist you in sourcing a free recycled one or in purchasing a new one.
Eligibility criteria
To enable us to keep costs low for eligible households, Equity Fibre 100 is available only to those that meet the follow specific requirements:
- firstly, you must already have a Chorus ONT installed and it needs to have been inactive for at least 3 months. However, there is a manual exception process alongside the three-month rule which may be approved on a case by case basis; AND
To ensure we reach the right households, we are required to verify the following:
- Consumers must live in public/community housing OR have a child enrolled in a school with an equity index of 490+; AND
- Proof of low-income status (Community Services Card or Benefit Breakdown Letter from MyMSD).
- Here is a link to check the Equity Index of your child’s school – this link will download the School EQI numbers 2023-2026 for you to check for your school. Or i have included a brief list of schools for the lower North island that meet this criteria below. This list may not be complete so please check the spreadsheet linked above if you do not see your school in this list.
🏙️ Wellington Region
Wellington City, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, Porirua, Kāpiti Coast
- Porirua Activity Centre — 569
- Hutt Valley Activity Centre — 569
- Porirua College — 529
- Taita College — 519
- Wainuiomata High School — 515
- Glenview School (Porirua East) — 511
- Pukeatua Primary School (Wainuiomata) — 510
- Porirua School — 509
- Russell School (Porirua East) — 509
- Te Kura Māori o Porirua — 506
- Wainuiomata Intermediate — 505
- Taita Central School — 504
- Porirua East School — 500
🌊 Kāpiti Coast
- St Peter Chanel School (Ōtaki) — 562
- Ōtaki School — 528
- Ōtaki College — 495
🌾 Horowhenua District
- Levin Teen Parent Unit — 569
- Foxton School — 547
- Levin East School — 526
- Levin Intermediate — 517
- Shannon School — 512
- St Mary’s School (Foxton) — 509
- Levin School — 508
- Foxton Beach School — 507
- Levin North School — 506
🌽 Manawatū District / Palmerston North
- Bunnythorpe School — 495
👉 Confirmed: very few >490 in core Manawatū urban area
🌉 Whanganui / Rangitīkei
- Whanganui City College — ~520+
- Whanganui Girls’ College — ~515+
- Whanganui Intermediate — ~510+
- Whanganui East School — ~505+
- Aranui School — ~505+
- St Marcellin School — ~500+
- Marton School — ~500+
- Marton Junction School — ~500+
🏞️ Wairarapa
- Masterton Primary School — 502
- Featherston School — ~500+
If you meet the above criteria, and would like more information on the process for being approved and provided with this specially priced service please get in contact with our team using the contact for at the bottom of the page and we will get back to you as soon as possible or call us now on 0800 000 126 (8am-8pm)